The Minnesota Twins were scheduled for Game 81 of the 2025 season Thursday, marking the official halfway point of the 162-game grind. That milestone brings a natural chance to pause and reflect on what’s gone right, what’s gone wrong, and which players have made the biggest difference in a season that has been anything but consistent.

The first half featured a 13-game winning streak that kept the Twins in the playoff race, but that hot stretch has been surrounded on both sides by some of the worst baseball the team has played in years. They’ve struggled to stay healthy; to hit consistently; and to maintain the pitching depth that was such a point of pride entering this season. Still, they’re not out of the race, and there are a few players who deserve credit for that.

Here’s a look at the Twins’ first-half MVP ballot, counting down the five most valuable players who have kept this season from completely unraveling.

5. Jhoan Duran – 37 G, 35 1/3 IP, 1.78 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 40 K, 14 BB, 1.0 fWAR, 0.58 WPA
In a bullpen full of question marks and inconsistency, Duran has been one of the few answers. He’s posted a 1.78 ERA while handling by far the highest-leverage spots of any Twins reliever, with an average leverage index of 1.88. He’s allowed just seven earned runs all season, and has converted 11 saves while only blowing two opportunities. With Griffin Jax running into bad luck and others fading in and out of various roles, Duran has anchored the back end of the bullpen and been one of the most reliable arms on the entire pitching staff.

4. Pablo López – 11 G, 60 2/3 IP, 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 61 K, 14 BB, 1.6 fWAR, 0.65 WPA
Pablo López didn’t make it to the halfway point healthy, but his 11 starts before and between stints on the injured list were exactly what the Twins needed. He was sharp, efficient, and dependable, regularly going deep into games and leading the Twins rotation. Since López was placed on the IL on June 3, the Twins rotation has posted a 6.61 ERA, underscoring just how important he was. Even in limited time, he still ranks second among Twins starters in fWAR and WPA. His absence has only made his value more obvious.

3. Harrison Bader – 71 G, .251/.336/.410, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 1.4 fWAR, 0.30 WPA
The Twins signed Bader as a fourth outfielder and potential insurance policy for Byron Buxton. Instead, they’ve gotten an everyday player who has quietly become one of their most valuable contributors. Bader has played excellent defense in left field, while putting together his most productive offensive season since 2021. His on-base percentage is a career-high .336, thanks to improved walk rates, and he filled in admirably when Byron Buxton missed time with a concussion. Bader has been steady and impactful, and far exceeded expectations.

2. Joe Ryan – 16 G, 91 1/3 IP, 2.86 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 104 K, 20 BB, 1.8 fWAR, 1.78 WPA
With López injured and the rest of the rotation floundering, Ryan has stepped up and pitched like a legitimate ace. He leads the staff in innings, ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts, and he’s posted the highest Win Probability Added of any pitcher or hitter on the team. Ryan has taken a step forward this season, showing the ability to dominate lineups deep into games and flashing command and consistency that sets him apart from the rest of the staff. If the Twins have any chance of turning this around, it will be because Ryan continues to pitch at this level every fifth day.

1. Byron Buxton – 62 G, .280/.346/.559, 17 HR, 47 RBI, 3.1 fWAR, 1.68 WPA
Byron Buxton is not only the team’s MVP at the halfway point; he’s playing like someone who belongs in the league-wide MVP conversation. He leads the Twins in nearly every major offensive category, including OPS, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, fWAR, and WPA. Even more importantly, he’s been on the field nearly every day and playing center field at a high level. Outside of a two-week stint on the shelf with a concussion, Buxton has been a daily fixture in the lineup, and his impact is felt in every phase of the game. After years of starts and stops, Buxton is finally putting together a season that lives up to the sky-high expectations—and doing it when the Twins have desperately needed a reason to believe. Without him, it’s hard to imagine how bad things could be.

The first half didn’t go according to plan, but the Twins are still within striking distance of a playoff spot, and these five players are the biggest reasons why. Whether they can keep it going or whether a new group steps forward in the second half remains to be seen. Maybe Carlos Correa finds another gear. Maybe Bailey Ober bounces back. Maybe Brooks Lee makes a leap and forces his way onto this list.

For now, these are the players holding things together.

Who’s on your first-half MVP ballot? Do you agree with these picks or do you have someone else in your top five? Let us know in the comments below.