The top right-handed hitters in the Twins’ lineup don’t need much introduction. Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Royce Lewis are expected to be major contributors.
If healthy, Correa and Buxton have MVP potential, and Lewis has shown flashes of being a superstar. Minnesota’s season will depend on the health and performance of this group. Other right-handed regulars project to include José Miranda and the team’s catching duo of Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vázquez. Jeffers and Miranda offer some potential upside, but the depth behind them is where concerns arise.
Evaluating the Right-Handed Bench Bats
Minnesota’s other right-handed options are Harrison Bader, Ty France, Willi Castro, and Austin Martin, who will all play significant roles in 2025. The issue? None of them project to bring much right-handed power to the table, and their offensive ceilings are limited.
Harrison Bader: Bader was brought in for his elite defense, particularly in center field. Undoubtedly, he will be valuable on that side of the ball, but his offensive track record is spotty. Last season, he hit .236/.284/.373 (.675) with an 86 OPS+ in 143 games. He’s posted a sub-.700 OPS in three consecutive seasons, and the 2021 season was his last with an OPS+ above 100. Expecting Bader to be anything more than a bottom-of-the-order hitter is optimistic.
Ty France: The Twins’ most significant offensive addition was France, who struggled in Seattle and Cincinnati last season. It was the first time since 2019, his rookie season, that he had posted a below 100 OPS+. He put up a career-low .703 OPS with just 13 home runs. While he has a solid hit tool and on-base ability, he lacks the raw power typically expected from a corner infielder. If he can return to his 2020-22 form (127 OPS+), he might save the right-handed bats, but that’s far from a guarantee.
Willi Castro: The switch-hitter was one of the Twins’ most versatile players last season, playing at least 20 games at five different defensive positions. He was named team MVP and was a first-time All-Star. Against left-handed pitchers, he struggled with an OPS that was nearly 60 points lower than when batting against righties. He’s a great piece to have, but the Twins might benefit from using him more sparingly against southpaws.
Austin Martin: Martin is not guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster, but the Twins will likely need to rely on him at different points throughout the 2025 campaign. During his rookie season, he posted an OPS 17 points lower against lefties despite being a right-handed hitter. One of his most significant question marks as a prospect was his ability to hit for power. His speed and on-base skills make him a useful player, but the Twins can’t bank on him to provide a right-handed thump.
Did the Twins Make the “Right” Bet?
By prioritizing defense and versatility, the Twins built a roster with fewer holes, but they may have sacrificed too much offensive upside from their right-handed bats. There’s a clear path where this decision pays off if France rebounds, Martin exceeds expectations, and the big three stay healthy. But that’s a lot of ‘ifs’ for a team looking to contend in the AL Central.
Minnesota still has time to adjust. The trade deadline could offer an opportunity to add a genuine right-handed power threat if it becomes clear that their current options aren’t cutting it. Right-handed power has been a glaring hole in recent years, and the front office has not prioritized it. For now, the Twins are betting on contact and athleticism rather than raw power from the right side. Whether that gamble pays off will go a long way in determining their success in 2025.
Should the Twins have focused more on adding right-handed power? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
