As the second half of the season gets underway, the Minnesota Twins find themselves at a familiar crossroads. Hovering near playoff contention but far from guaranteed, they’ll need more than just reinforcements from the outside to make a run. Internal improvements could provide the biggest boost and four players, in particular, could make or break the second half.
Here’s a closer look at the quartet that could flip the script and drive Minnesota into October baseball.
Pablo López – The Ace Missing in Action
It’s hard to overstate how much López’s absence has impacted this team. Before hitting the injured list in late June with a strained shoulder muscle, López had been everything the Twins hoped for atop the rotation. Through 11 starts, he posted a 2.82 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 60 ⅔ innings. His 1.07 WHIP was the best among Minnesota’s starters, and his ability to pitch deep into games had become a steadying force to save the bullpen.
Since his injury, the Twins rotation has been forced to lean on a mix of rookies, openers, and bullpen games. The entire staff tanked in his absence in June. López has recently resumed throwing off flat ground, which is a promising sign, but a return before mid-August still seems optimistic. His eventual re-entry into the rotation could be the single most important factor for this club’s postseason hopes. Not just because of the innings he provides, but because of the tone he sets every five days.
Carlos Correa – Glimpses Aren’t Enough
Correa has stayed on the field in 2025, which hasn’t always been a given in recent seasons. That alone is valuable, but the Twins need more than presence—they need production. He’s the highest played player and the roster isn’t built to succeed without him. Through the All-Star break, Correa is batting .242/.304/.389 (.694) with just seven home runs and a 90 OPS+ in 85 games. Those numbers fall well short of expectations.
That said, there are signs of life. He’s been more selective at the plate in recent weeks, and he has posted an .827 OPS over his last 20 games. If the Twins are going to make noise in the Wild Card chase, Correa has to be more than just steady. He needs to be the centerpiece. That might sound like a lot but it’s what he was brought here to do.
Matt Wallner – Boom or Bust
Few players on the Twins’ roster come with as much power potential as Wallner and few have a swing as puzzling. Wallner’s 10 home runs in just 55 games are among the best HR-per-PA ratios on the team, and when he connects, it’s loud. But a .205 batting average and 30.3 K% have made him tough to rely on for consistent offense. Still, the Twins have stuck with him, hoping the flashes of impact turn into full-blown production.
A more balanced second half, where Wallner can still flex his power but make a little more contact, would give Minnesota’s lineup a much-needed left-handed threat. At a time when the team has struggled to string together rallies, Wallner’s ability to change the game with one swing could be a separator.
Royce Lewis – Not Yet Electric
Lewis has fought through injuries throughout his professional career, and it’s been encouraging to see him stay on the field in recent weeks. However, his offensive profile hasn’t matched the electric player we saw in stretches last year. He ended last season in a terrible slump, hitting .171/.225/.243 (.468) with six extra-base hits in 30 games. Now, the 2025 season has been nearly as bad.
With just two home runs and a .302 slugging percentage in 42 games, Lewis hasn’t been able to deliver the extra-base pop the Twins expected. His underlying metrics suggest the bat speed is still there, and the hope is that the power will come with more reps. He’s also looked improved defensively at third base after some throwing issues last season. Much like Correa, Lewis doesn’t need to carry the team, but he does need to be more than average. When he’s firing on all cylinders, he gives the lineup something that’s been missing too often this year: big, game-changing hits.
The Core Has to Click|
The Twins don’t need to overhaul their roster to make the playoffs (although that likely isn’t an option with the current ownership group). They don’t even need everyone to suddenly break out. But they do need these four players (López, Correa, Wallner, and Lewis) to elevate.
If López returns and anchors the staff, if Correa rediscovers his All-Star form, if Wallner can connect more often, and if Lewis taps into his previous potential, the Twins have a path forward.
The question now: Will the core click in time?
Who do you think will have the biggest second-half surge? Join the discussion below.