Minnesota Twins

StaTuesday: Twins slugging their way to the top early

Published Apr. 30, 2019 1:20 p.m. ET

Ryan Lund

Individually, the Minnesota Twins' offseason moves weren't particularly flashy.

A veteran slugger here, a waiver claim there, all of it amounting to three relatively low-key additions, plus one guy nicknamed "boomstick:" First baseman C.J. Cron, second baseman Jonathan Schoop, utility man Marwin Gonzalez and designated hitter Nelson Cruz.

Together, those four accounted for 104 home runs last season.

For the Twins, who hit just 166 home runs in 2018, well below the major-league average of 186.2, it was a pretty clear statement of intent.

So far, their focus on firepower is paying off, even if the new guys are only part of the equation.

The Twins rank third in the majors with 50 home runs through 26 games (nine homers behind top-ranked Seattle) and lead baseball at 17.56 at-bats per home run.

Their 5.1 home run percentage and .835 OPS also lead the majors.

Outfielders Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler have led the way, alongside shortstop Jorge Polanco, backup catcher Mitch Garver and a few of the new guys.

And reinforcements are on the way.

Third baseman Miguel Sano begins a rehab assignment with Single-A Fort Myers on Tuesday after missing all of spring training with a foot injury.

PLAYER	G	AB	BA	OBP	SLG	H	HR
Eddie Rosario	26	101	0.248	0.296	0.624	25	11
Max Kepler	22	87	0.264	0.337	0.552	23	7
C.J. Cron	24	78	0.244	0.298	0.474	19	5
Nelson Cruz	22	75	0.307	0.409	0.587	23	5
Jorge Polanco	25	98	0.327	0.385	0.612	32	5
Mitch Garver	14	46	0.348	0.400	0.761	16	5
Jonathan Schoop	24	86	0.267	0.315	0.500	23	4
Marwin Gonzalez	23	78	0.167	0.244	0.256	13	2
Willians Astudillo	16	49	0.327	0.34	0.531	16	2
Jason Castro	12	28	0.214	0.389	0.464	6	2
Ehire Adrianza	13	32	0.188	0.270	0.281	6	1
Byron Buxton	24	77	0.26	0.313	0.481	20	1

New manager Rocco Baldelli's Twins have been particularly aggressive at the plate.

They're seeing just 3.77 pitches per plate appearance, the fewest in the majors, and striking out just 19.5% of the time, which ranks third.

Minnesota has scored 53.2% of its runs via the long ball, and 64% of those via solo homers.

It's a potentially volatile mix: Lots of solo shots, short at-bats and a handful of games against lowly Baltimore, the source of 23 of those home runs in just six games, all wins.

But then, it's not their only path to victory either.

The Twins managed just one home run Monday against Astros ace Justin Verlander -- via Ehire Adrianza, his first of the season -- but held on for a 1-0 win after starter Jake Odorizzi, Taylor Rogers and Blake Parker held Houston to just five hits.

All of that translates to a 17-9 record, a 2.5-game lead in the AL Central and a major boost to their postseason prospects.