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<\/a><\/p>\nMar 3, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Team USA outfielder Byron Buxton against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Ben Jones: Byron Buxton this, Luke Keaschall that. How about Matt Wallner? He has major flaws but he\u2019s also not that far away from being one of the best hitters in baseball, frankly. Wallner has his best season as pro, hits 45 dongs, and leads the team in every major offensive category including, yes, strikeouts.<\/p>\n
Matt Monitto: Seeing a lot of buzz for a Luke Keaschall breakout, and I have to agree with it, especially if he bats leadoff ahead of Buxton: that would suggest pitchers go after him to avoid facing Buck with men on, giving him more chances to hit.<\/p>\n
Zach Koenig: I think we may have seen the apex of Buxton in 2025. Now, slightly-regression Buxton may still be the best hitter on this squad, but I\u2019m gonna go with Luke Keaschall. He really impressed me last year I sometimes wonder if he hadn\u2019t gotten hurt maybe the Pohlads wouldn\u2019t have gone scorched earth on the bit. Extremely inexperienced, I know, but that speed really plays.<\/p>\n
James Filmore: Byron Buxton<\/p>\n
John Foley: Byron Buxton. It\u2019s still best to look at things for Buck on a rate basis, even after he played in 126 games last year (his most since 2017), but we shouldn\u2019t overthink this question. Since the 2020 campaign, Buxton has solidified his place as one of the game\u2019s premier sluggers. By isolated slugging, Buxton trails only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani over that span.<\/p>\n
John Von Mosch (aka our good friend Imakesandwichesforaliving): Byron Buxton. He\u2019ll carry over from last season. Maybe a 30-30 season??<\/p>\n
Hans Hollander: Buxton continues to be a star with another fantastic season…this time earning top-10 MVP honors.<\/p>\n
Who will be the Twins\u2019 best pitcher in 2026?<\/p>\n
Joe Ryan, 41, tries to fly away from the Pohlad-imposed bad vibes of the post-deadline 2025 Twins. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Ben Jones: This was a more fun question back when Pablo Lopez was healthy and Bailey Ober could crack 90 MPH on his fastball. Now, the only real answer is Joe Ryan. However, I\u2019ll add a caveat that I think there\u2019s like a 80% chance Ryan is dealt at the deadline, leaving space for someone to catch him on overall impact. In that case, 2027 All-Star Taj Bradley is on the case.<\/p>\n Matt Monitto: Joe Ryan for as long as he remains a Twin.<\/p>\n Zach Koenig: I\u2019m going chalk here with the Joe Ryan Experience. When he\u2019s right, he\u2019s a top-flight MLB starter. With Pablo out, I don\u2019t see an obvious challenger to that mantle.<\/p>\n John Foley: Joe Ryan for the first half of the season. Again, let\u2019s not overthink it. Who will be the best pitcher in the second half is anyone\u2019s guess because Ryan won\u2019t be with the Twins past the trade deadline. If the outlook going into 2027 is going to be improved over this past winter, the answer needs to be Taj Bradley and Mick Abel.<\/p>\n Sandwiches: Joe Ryan. I think he\u2019s the only pitcher on the staff, isn\u2019t he?<\/p>\n Hans Hollander: Joe Ryan will lead the staff…and will stay with the Twins for the entire year! And, as a unit, the rotation is tops in the division. As for the bullpen, Taylor Rogers regains the closer title and leads the team with saves.<\/p>\n Who will be their breakout star?<\/p>\n PORT CHARLOTTE, FL- MARCH 10: Austin Martin #16 of the Minnesota Twins bats during a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 10, 2026 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn\/Minnesota Twins\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Ben Jones: I really think Brooks Lee puts it together this year. That doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019s suddenly a mid-order bat, but a .750 OPS and 20 home runs would unironically make him one the Twins\u2019 three most important position players. With Kaelen Culpepper on his heels, he\u2019ll feel the pressure to get back to his top-prospect status and it\u2019s now or never.<\/p>\n Matt Monitto: I already said Keaschall, but I\u2019m going to add another and say Eric Orze becomes a high-leverage option in the bullpen. My justification is that I had Orze as a solid relief options for several seasons in my Twins Out of the Park save, so I\u2019m rooting for him.<\/p>\n Zach Koenig: A bit of a swerve here, but I\u2019ll say manager Derek Shelton. I know from all accounts that Rocco seemed to be really good behind the scenes with player relationships. But to me, that never translated to fans. He never showed much emotion and, quite frankly, at times (too many times, by the end) didn\u2019t seem to be having much fun at all. I\u2019ve heard a few Shelton interviews and he seems to bring a new energy.<\/p>\n James Filmore: Taj Bradley because the Twins are due for a great young starter.<\/p>\n John Foley: Austin Martin in a nearly everyday super utility role. (Editor\u2019s note: the heart yearns for 2024 All-Star Willi Castro)<\/p>\n Sandwiches: I have a feeling Luke Keaschall will tear it up this year.<\/p>\n Hans Hollander: Austin Martin proves he belongs in the lineup, leading off more than any other Twin.<\/p>\n Which top prospect will have the greatest impact in 2026?<\/p>\n FORT MYERS, FL- FEBRUARY 16: Connor Prielipp #61 of the Minnesota Twins during a spring training workout on February 16, 2026 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn\/Minnesota Twins\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Ben Jones: I don\u2019t think he\u2019s the best of the Twins\u2019 top 100 quartet, but the answer here is probably Connor Prielipp. Minnesota\u2019s bullpen is so vacant of impact arms that he would probably be their best reliever right now. As it stands, he\u2019s in St. Paul working as a starter, but the Twins will likely want to lighten his load as the season wears on, giving him a chance to step in as their best reliever down the stretch.<\/p>\n Matt Monitto: Gabriel Gonzalez because eventually they\u2019ll call up a right-handed-hitting outfielder.<\/p>\n Zach Koenig: I have to plead the fifth on this one, as I simply do not follow the minor leagues or prospects enough to have an informed opinion. As I always say, a player \u201cbecomes real\u201d to me when he hits the majors. (Editor\u2019s note: that makes Zach\u2019s answer 30-year-old career minor league catcher David Ba\u00f1uelos according to the TT bylaws. Sorry, I don\u2019t make the rules.)<\/p>\n James Filmore: Prielipp because his name sounds kinda kinky.<\/p>\n John Foley: Mick Abel. His improvement in throwing strikes last year appears to have carried over into this spring. Abel has been hard to square up throughout his minor league career and generates frequent ground balls when hitters do put it in play. Avoiding free passes at a much higher rate has changed the trajectory of his outlook.<\/p>\n Sandwiches: I\u2019ll have to go with Emmanuel Rodriguez. I don\u2019t keep tabs on the prospects well enough, but I think he\u2019s been healthy and had a great spring. He\u2019ll get the nod at some point and impress folks.<\/p>\n Hans Hollander: Culpepper ends the season as the starting shortstop, starting to make Twins fans optimistic about the position.<\/p>\n Predict the Twins\u2019 final record and whether or not they make the playoffs.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n