The conclusion of the Twins-Red Sox series marks the 1/4 point of the 2013 MLB season. Minnesota has truly had a strange and unexpected season thus far, but, as we all know, small sample sizes can have that effect! Should we be more surprised at how well the Twins have performed as a team? Or at whom has performed? Some of the success stories from last year have faded and at the same time unproven players are exceeding expectations. Let's see how our roster fares!

Catcher: Joe Mauer

Significant Stats: .349/.431/.500 2 HRs, 13 RBI, 24 R, 15 2B, 55%CS, 35K

Mauer is a good player. Who knew? His Batting Average is the 3rd best in the American League and his On Base Percentage is 2nd to Miguel Cabrera (of all people). What's new though, or has been re-newed, is his elite defense behind home plate. Mauer has been very effective at framing pitches and it's plainly observable during ball games. Joe is throwing out 55% of baserunners which is over double the league average of 25% for MLB catchers. Mauer is also sitting at 2.0 WAR and I believe that puts him on pace for 8.0 wins above replacement for the season after some advanced formulas and algorithms on my behalf. He's even besting rival, Buster Posey (1.7), in that regard. Despite the positives, Mauer went through a tough stretch and is striking out a lot more than usual.

Grade: A-

First Base: Justin Morneau

Significant Stats: .297/.333/.412 2HRs, 28 RBI, 18 R, 24Ks

Morneau is hitting the ball well, but not very hard. He' #7 in Batting Average for starting first baseman, but his OPS ranks him #17. The RBI production does put him on pace for over 100, so without the power he's still been able to do his job in the cleanup spot. His discipline looks better with strikeouts in 16.2% of his ABs; although, Morneau can't restrain himself from the slider low and away. I've personally enjoyed his defense as well, especially since there's always the occasional errant, rushed throw from shortstop, Pedro Florimon.

Grade: B+

Second Base: Brian Dozier

Significant Stats: .217/.258/.288 1HR, 3SB, 3 CS,

It's great to see Brian Dozier getting a second chance. He looks much better at second base this season and Dozier has even amassed .6 dWAR from his new home. His range factor is the highest for all second baseman too. Unfortunately, he's not hitting. To make matters worse, Gardenhire continually bats him at the top of the lineup. Dozier's base running hasn't been enough of an advantage to keep him up there either. Maybe he'd find more success batting lower and the team would as well, but that's completely opinionated thinking. While Dozier's been above replacement level so far, it doesn't look like he'll be much of a serviceable starter. For the time being though, he's cheap and doesn't kill us much.

Grade: D+

Third Base: Trevor Plouffe

Significant Stats: .242/.311/.425 4HRs, 15 RBI, 16 R, .944Fld%

Plouffe's bat has been an advantage at third base, but as I'm sure you're familiar, his glove has not. He's been below average and who knows if we'll see improvement. This year, he hasn't caught fire just yet with the bat. If he does, expect everyone to swoon to him(including myself). He's really sort of in the neutral zone, so something it wouldn't take much to push him either way. I personally like having him as a stopgap solution at 3B for now.

Grade: C+

Shortstop: Pedro Florimon, Jr.

Significant Stats: .247/.314/.377 2HRs, 4SBs, .975Fld%

Pedro Florimon doesn't get the appreciation he deserves. Albeit, maybe he hasn't deserved it just yet.