Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins (66-96) - Last Place AL Central

The team once referred to by Ozzie Guillen as “The Piranhas” due to their pesky play and winning ways the Minnesota Twins have regressed the past two seasons due to injuries and lack of consistency from the pitching staff.

Pitchers- The Minnesota Twins used 12 starting pitchers in the 2012 season. A team just can’t be successful using that many starting pitchers.  Scott Diamond was by far the most successful and dependable of all the Twins starters with 12 wins and 173 innings in 27 starts.  At the tail end of the season Samuel Deduno showed flashes on being a dependable starter, but will have to work on his control as he averaged about .67 walks per an inning in 2012. Glen Perkins led the Twins in saves with 16 saves in 20 opportunities with regular closer Matt Capps tallying 14 saves in 15 opportunities. 

Infield- When will Justin Morneau get back to pre-concussion Justin Morneau?  We all hope soon and Twins fans hope that will be next year because it certainly was not in 2012.  Morneau put up descent numbers with 77 RBIS and 19 home runs in 134 games.  Joe Mauer got back to form playing in 147 games with a .319 batting average and 85 RBIs.   Mauer also led the Twins in wins above replacement (WAR) at 5.0.   Mauer only had 10 home runs in 2012 and this is somewhat of a concern for the Twins.  Mauer saw time at first base, catcher and designated hitter and was able to stay healthy for most of the season.  Could Mauer see even more time at first base or even another position in the future to save his knee?  Trevor Ploufe was the talk of the baseball world for a stretch of 2012.  He ended the season with 24 home runs and 55 RBIs.  Part-time catcher and designated hitter Ryan Doumit was a surprising bright spot for the Twins as well.  Rookie shortstop Pedro Florimon is a defensive stud and fans only got a glimpse of what this kid can do in the future.

Outfield- The outfield for the Twins was the only stable thing for the Twins in 2012 with Denard Span, Ben Revere and Josh Willingham getting the majority of the starts.  Josh Willingham was a pleasant surprise for the Twins as he put up great counting numbers for the Twins with 35 home runs and 110 RBIs.  Willingham’s OPS was a great .890.  Ben Revere had a breakout season for the Twins as well batting .294 with 70 runs and 40 stolen bases.  Revere also played a great outfield for the Twins. Denard Span was his usual self in 2012 batting .283 and tracking balls down in the outfield.  Span and Willingham were second on the team in WAR at 3.9.  Look for the outfield to be back in 2013 and ready to go to lead the Twins in the 2013 campaign.

Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, is one of the most beautiful new parks in the league.

(All WAR numbers from www.fansgraph.com)

Next up- Friday, November 2, Colorado Rockies.