Facing right-handed starting pitcher Tanner Houck, left-handed hitting Matt Wallner remained in the leadoff spot, a role he has occupied often this spring.
However, instead of playing right field (the position he occupied in his previous 10 starts), the power-hitting lefty started at designated hitter.
Those who follow the team had wondered how the lineup would be constructed when the team was facing a right-handed starting pitcher and Wallner wasn’t in right field.
(Presumably, such days will be rare once the season starts, but it’s still important to get the answer to that question.)
Would Trevor Larnach shift over from left field?
Would Willi Castro be thrown into a position at which he has rarely played over his major-league career?
Interestingly, neither of those happened Wednesday. Instead, right-handed hitting Harrison Bader got the nod.
Now, on the surface, there shouldn’t be much surprise over a plus defensive outfielder playing a corner spot, but doing so seemingly ran counter to club decision-makers’ messaging when Minnesota signed Bader in early February.
In an article from Star-Tribune Twins beat writer Phil Miller on Feb. 18, Baldelli discussed which position the erstwhile Cardinal would play.
Unsurprisingly, the skipper said that Bader would function as Byron Buxton’s primary backup in center field. Yet, he also shared that the club plans to provide Bader extended opportunities in left field.
“At our ballpark, when you’re talking about the corners, [left field] is a much bigger playing surface than right field,” Baldelli said. So I think putting one of the best outfielders in the game in left field, as opposed to right, makes some sense.”
The last time Bader played left field in the majors was in 2018, when he netted 29 ⅔ innings over six appearances at the position for the St. Louis Cardinals. He played the position in 2017, too, with a nearly identical 29 innings played over seven appearances.
Despite limited playing time at the position, though, Bader should thrive in left, given his ability to thrive defensively in center field. That being the case, there is reason to believe he could also perform at an above-average rate in right, where he has spent more time over his career.
Like left field, the last time the Florida product played right field was in 2018 with St. Louis.
However, he accumulated significantly more playing at the position that season, generating 270 innings over 38 appearances. He also played 7 ⅔ innings at the position in 2017. Right field is slightly roomier at Busch Stadium. So, like Baldelli, St. Louis decision-makers were purposely placing Bader in the more spacious corner.
That said, he has more experience at the position, meaning Minnesota doesn’t need to limit him to just left field, and starting him in right field this past Wednesday seemingly validates that notion.
When Baldelli announced that the club would provide Bader opportunities primarily in center and left field, those following the team began speculating about who would play right field when Wallner was out of the lineup or starting at designated hitter.
If Wednesday’s lineup signals extended opportunities for Bader in right field, though, the picture becomes much more apparent.
When Minnesota faces a left-handed starting pitcher, Bader could play right field, and Castro could slot into left, a position he is much more familiar with.
When Wallner is starting at designated hitter against right-handed starting pitchers, Bader could also slot into right field, with Larnach staying in left. Providing Bader playing time at right field is wise, especially considering the lack of options at the position after Wallner and Larnach.
Although Baldelli’s initial comments signaled Bader would primarily play center or left field, the club has seemingly yielded to its own preference for flexibility.
