You’ve heard it plenty of times: spring training performance doesn’t matter. That’s mostly true, but it doesn’t mean we can’t draw meaningful conclusions from the games, and the decisions that go into them. I find myself paying attention more to the names on the lineup card than the stats next to them in the box score.

Who’s getting in-game reps at which positions? Which pitchers are entering earlier in games, and getting a chance to face more legitimate big-league competition? Who’s being stretched out and who’s tracking toward shorter relief stints?

These usage trends can offer real insight into the team’s plans for when the games start mattering, especially as the regular season draws closer and the preparation ramps up. 

We’re more than halfway through the spring schedule, with 17 games down (including the unofficial exhibitions against the Gophers and Team Puerto Rico) and 16 to go (including the “Spring Breakout” prospect showcase). Here’s how the starts have been allotted so far at each position, along with a few thoughts on what to make of each.

Catcher

No surprises here. Jeffers is expected to get the bulk of a timeshare, with Caratini starting every third game or so. The big question, of course, is whether the Twins will be able to stash Jackson in Triple-A by passing him through waivers at the end of camp. The depth drop-off to Cardenas is pretty steep.

First Base

I’ve been operating under the loose assumption that Clemens would get a majority of time at first base, where he played regularly in the second half last year, but this makes me question that. Bell has been the, ah, bell cow at this position after making just 32 of his 129 starts at first base last year with Washington. Maybe it’s just a matter of the Twins feeling like they know what they have in Clemens at first?

Second Base

This certainly catches my eye. Clemens has started more games at second than even Keaschall, who figures to be the everyday starter. He’s being evaluated as the top backup, but I can’t imagine he’ll be starting or even subbing in here often if Keaschall’s healthy. Which raises the question: how is Clemens going to find his way into the lineup? Not at third base apparently…

Third Base

Lewis missed a bit of time with a minor health hiccup, opening up more opportunities to assess the depth behind him. Six other players have started a game at third base this spring, and very notably, none of them are Clemens. He’s listed right behind Lewis on the depth charts at FanGraphs and even the team’s official site, but there’s no actual evidence that the Twins have any interest in playing him at the hot corner. If he’s not an option at third and not starting at least semi-regularly at first, you really have to wonder what utility Clemens is bringing to this roster. 

Shortstop

Brooks Lee: 9x

Orlando Arcia: 4x

Tristan Gray: 2x

Ryan Kreidler: 2x

This tracks. Lee is going to be the everyday starter, if healthy, and the other three are competing for an infield bench spot behind him. (Which apparently will also involve being the top backup at third?) Arcia, who’s also gotten starts at second and third, could have the insight track. Or maybe the Twins are just feeling more urgency to take a long look, since Kreidler and Gray have minor-league options. 

Left Field

Striking to see Martin getting so many starts here, even against right-handed pitchers. He’s almost certainly going to make the roster and he might be more of a regular in left than people are expecting. Martin definitely does bring something different to the lineup when he’s in it. I’m a little stunned that James Outman has not made one single start in left field this spring.

Center Field

To make room for them on the roster, the Twins need Outman or Roden to be viable options in center, so it makes sense they’ve been the top recipients of playing time with Buxton away for the WBC. They’d love it if they could count on Martin there in a pinch, though he seems more stretched than others. Fun to get a glimpse of the future with Jenkins and Rodriguez.

Right Field

Matt Wallner: 7x

Alan Roden: 4x

James Outman: 2x

Trevor Larnach: 2x

Ryan Kreidler: 1x

Gabriel Gonzalez: 1x

With Martin getting the largest share of starts in left field, Outman and Roden have mixed more often in center and right. A sign of things to come in the regular season? This will be interesting to keep an eye on since my assumption has been that Wallner would be out in almost every day. I have a hard time believing the Twins prefer Larnach in left to Wallner in right.

Designated Hitter

Larnach: 2x

Bell: 2x

Wallner: 2x

Buxton: 2x

Urshela: 2x

Caratini: 1x

Jeffers: 1x

Lewis: 1x

Keaschall: 1x

Rodriguez: 1x

Gonzalez: 1x

Mendez: 1x

Tough to draw any real conclusions here since the DH position has mostly been used to give guys a partial day off. The position does figure to see a fair amount of day-to-day change during the season, with Bell and Larnach both factoring prominently. The way that actually shakes out will have a big influence on left field and first base.

What do you make of Derek Shelton‘s spring lineup decisions so far? Let us know. We’ll check back in next week with an update, as well as some notes on pitcher usage as the decisions start to carry more weight.