Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton made an unexpected decision.
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Video Transcript
So the Minnesota Twins are continuing to experiment with their lineup early in the twenty twenty-six season, and Saturday’s matchup with the Orioles brought a particularly surprising decision from manager Derek Shelton.
So the Minnesota Twins are continuing to experiment with their lineup early in the twenty twenty-six season, and Saturday’s matchup with the Orioles brought a particularly surprising decision from manager Derek Shelton.
With the Twins looking to generate more off-offense against a tough Baltimore pitching staff, Shelton shook things up at the top of the order, placing Cody Clemens in the leadoff spot for Saturday’s game.
With the Twins looking to generate more off-offense against a tough Baltimore pitching staff, Shelton shook things up at the top of the order, placing Cody Clemens in the leadoff spot for Saturday’s game.
The move is really an unexpected one, especially considering the player that Clemens has been, and the presence of more established hitters in the lineup, like superstar center fielder Byron Buxton.
The move is really an unexpected one, especially considering the player that Clemens has been, and the presence of more established hitters in the lineup, like superstar center fielder Byron Buxton.
Buxton is typically viewed as the team’s best offensive player and has experience hitting near the top of the order, so it would have made sense to have him lead off.
Buxton is typically viewed as the team’s best offensive player and has experience hitting near the top of the order, so it would have made sense to have him lead off.
However, he will hit in the two hole behind Clemens instead.
However, he will hit in the two hole behind Clemens instead.
There is a reason for– or there’s a stra-strategic reason at that for the decision.
There is a reason for– or there’s a stra-strategic reason at that for the decision.
Baltimore is starting right-hander Kyle Bradish, and Clemens has historically performed much better against right-handed pitching.
Baltimore is starting right-hander Kyle Bradish, and Clemens has historically performed much better against right-handed pitching.
Last year, that’s where all nineteen of his home runs came against right-handers, along with forty-seven of his fifty-two RBIs.
Last year, that’s where all nineteen of his home runs came against right-handers, along with forty-seven of his fifty-two RBIs.
So really, he is just a right-handed pitching, pitching hitter.
So really, he is just a right-handed pitching, pitching hitter.
He just thrives against right-handed pitching.
He just thrives against right-handed pitching.
Still, the decision is really unconventional considering that Clemens is not a condir– traditional leadoff hitter, and this is the first time in his entire career that he’s actually hit this high in the order.
Still, the decision is really unconventional considering that Clemens is not a condir– traditional leadoff hitter, and this is the first time in his entire career that he’s actually hit this high in the order.
Saturday’s game will represent his two hundred sixty-seventh appearance of his MLB career across three different teams, and in the previous two hundred sixty-six, he’s never been this high.
Saturday’s game will represent his two hundred sixty-seventh appearance of his MLB career across three different teams, and in the previous two hundred sixty-six, he’s never been this high.
He’s never hit as a leadoff hitter.
He’s never hit as a leadoff hitter.
Clemens is better known realistically for his versatility rather than his bat.
Clemens is better known realistically for his versatility rather than his bat.
He can play two infield positions, first base and second base, along with any po-position in the outfield, making him just a really valuable chess piece for Shelton.
He can play two infield positions, first base and second base, along with any po-position in the outfield, making him just a really valuable chess piece for Shelton.
His career numbers, two oh six average and six sixty-five OPS, suggest he’s really not a strong offensive player.
His career numbers, two oh six average and six sixty-five OPS, suggest he’s really not a strong offensive player.
Still, though, he thrives against righties.
Still, though, he thrives against righties.
This is Clemens’ second season with Minnesota after debuting with the Detroit Tigers in twenty twenty-two and later spending time with the Phillies before being traded to the Twins last April.
This is Clemens’ second season with Minnesota after debuting with the Detroit Tigers in twenty twenty-two and later spending time with the Phillies before being traded to the Twins last April.
Ultimately, the Twins appear to pr-be prioritizing matchup-based decisions early in the season.
Ultimately, the Twins appear to pr-be prioritizing matchup-based decisions early in the season.