The Minnesota Twins offense has been a problem all season, and it’s only getting worse. At 4.15 runs per game, they rank 19th in MLB, and their .700 team OPS ranks 18th.

Despite occasional outbursts, they’ve struggled with consistency and have scored more than four runs just twice in their last 10 games.

With the rotation fragile due to injuries and the bullpen beginning to show its cracks, the need for this offense to step up has never been greater. Instead, the lineup continues to fall flat.

And that’s the heart of the issue. This lineup just isn’t working. It looks lifeless. There’s no spark, no thump, and no indication that anything is about to change. The Twins are in desperate need of someone who can inject energy and provide a jolt of production.

Yet, instead of turning to a batter who is dominating Triple-A, they’re calling up players who have struggled at the plate at every level.

Dashawn Keirsey Jr. is hitting .109 and hasn’t been trusted with consistent playing time. He doesn’t bring offensive upside, and the front office doesn’t seem to view him as anything more than a late-game pinch-runner or defensive sub. Yet, when Royce Lewis was placed on the injured list, it was the backup, glove-first outfielder who got the call.

You don’t fix a broken offense by adding a defensive replacement. You fix it by calling up someone who might actually hit. That’s where Mickey Gasper comes in.

The Twins don’t have to look far for a better option. Gasper is putting up incredible numbers at Triple-A with the Saints. His first stint with the Twins this season didn’t go well, as he posted just a .488 OPS in 39 plate appearances (the key there being just 39 plate appearances).

But he has done everything possible to earn another chance. Last season, he posted a 1.062 OPS at Triple-A, and this year he leads the entire International League with a 1.106 OPS, along with 10 home runs and 25 RBIs in just 35 games. He’s not just having a good stretch. He has been one of the most productive hitters in all of Triple-A baseball.

Do you approve of the job Rocco Baldelli is doing as Twins manager?

Even better, Gasper is a switch-hitter. That gives the Twins added lineup flexibility and the ability to create favorable platoon matchups, which could help a team still searching for the right offensive mix. With the way the lineup has struggled, the Twins should be willing to try anything. A switch-hitting bat with power and patience is exactly what they need right now.

Yes, Gasper might ultimately be a quadruple-A player. He is 28 years old and has logged 1,754 plate appearances in the minors, compared to just 62 in the majors.

But the Twins clearly believed in his potential when they traded Jovani Moran to acquire him, and after he had a solid spring training, they gave him a spot on the Opening Day roster. The tools are there, and the production has followed. That deserves another look, especially for a team that cannot afford to keep letting its offense sleepwalk through games.

No, Gasper is not the most versatile defender, and he would likely spend more time at designated hitter than anywhere else. But this is not the time for the Twins to prioritize defense over offense, or to get picky about who they’re calling up based on fit.

They need bats. Keirsey doesn’t bring offensive value. Gasper, on the other hand, is tearing up Triple-A and brings a skill set that no one else on the bench offers.

The Twins literally have the OPS leader in the International League waiting in their own system. The offense is broken, and nothing they’ve tried so far has made a difference. Why not call up the guy who might actually give you what you’re looking for?

Gasper didn’t do much in his first look, but plenty of players have struggled in their debut and figured it out later. He could strike out again, but then again, he could make a difference. Right now, the Twins need to try something new.