Recall how the Twins began the season 7–13, roared to a 17–3 record in their next 20 games, and then found themselves in a rut for the most of May and early June?
While it’s still relatively new, it also seems like the inconsistent play is fading and making room for a new identity—that of a club that consistently plays excellent baseball and produces the results to go along with it.
During a recent 6-3 road trip that included series victories at each of the three visits in Oakland, Arizona, and Seattle, that sentiment was strengthened. The Twins head into a six-game homestand that begins Tuesday against Detroit with a 47-37 record, which puts them 10 games above.500 for the first time this season.
There are clear-cut causes behind the powerful play. Since he got back from his injury, Royce Lewis has been explosive. Recently, Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa have alternated in leading the attack at different times. Joe Ryan has been outstanding all year, with Pablo Lopez rediscovering his form during the most recent road trip.
However, as I discussed with Star Tribune beat writer Bobby Nightengale on Tuesday’s Daily Delivery podcast, some players have gone unnoticed despite serving as the foundation of a developing club. Five of them unheralded heroes are shown here:
Willi Castro: Can someone who leads a team in games, plate appearances, stolen bases, and runs scored be considered undervalued when they also play various defensive positions and have a.810 OPS? In my opinion, it is Castro who Nightengale believes should be considered for the All-Star game. Castro has started over ten games at five different positions: third base, shortstop, second base, left field, and center field.
Simeon Woods Richardson: It was reasonable to ask where the Twins would obtain starting pitching depth with the ineffectiveness of Louie Varland and the early season injury to Anthony DeSclafani. I dislike to consider where they would be in the absence of Woods Richardson’s 3.41 ERA and 13 starts.
Trevor Larnach: Larnach’s consistent play has been crucial in a season where a number of left-handed batters have underperformed, including demoted players Edouard Julien, Matt Wallner, and Alex Kirilloff. Despite some unfortunate circumstances, his.746 OPS indicates that he is ready to be a regular member of the major league team.
Carlos Santana: Although I appreciated the Twins’ offseason acquisition, I must admit that I was among the first to believe that Santana’s terrible start had been a waste of money. However, since early May, the 38-year-old switch-hitter has been lights out, hitting.308 with a.908 OPS in his previous 45 games.
Cole Sands: Sands fills a crucial role in a bullpen that has occasionally struggled, even if he isn’t the Twins’ greatest or even third-best reliever. Regardless of the circumstance, he often provides the Twins with a respectable innings and is second on the staff in appearances (32). It doesn’t seem significant to pitch a scoreless sixth inning in a 6-3 game until you are without a replacement for that position.
