How do the Twins perform on the corners compared to other team in the AL Central?

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First Base (ranked by wRC+)

Tigers (1^st) 176

Sox (2^nd) 129

Royals (8^th) 118

Indians(10^th) 110

Twins (11^th) 98

Cabrera is a monster. Abreau is very good. Santana will be better. I think Mauer can close the gap and approach Hosmer’s production in the second half. It is hard to imagine the Twins climbing out of fifth at 1B though. They really need Mauer to be a league average 1B. can he approach a 115-120 wRC+ in the second half? He hasn’t been there since 2013.

On the farm: Vargas is back in AA trying to cut down his chase rate. If Mauer is injured it would likely be Sano or Plouffe that fill in at this point.

Thirdbase

Royals (3^rd) 119

Twins (4^th) 115

Tigers (13^th) 76

Indians(14^th) 75

Sox(15^th) 75

Defensively: Royals(5^th), Twins(7), Indians(9), Tigers(10), White Sox (13)

Plouffe has turned out to be a very solid player. He and Dozier are fruits of a bad team that gave them plenty of at bats before they started making consistent contributions to the team. Moustakas is better and needed an even longer stretch before contributing.

On the farm: Sano was just called up. The Twins need both Sano and Plouffe in the line up. Jose Martinez play 3B for Rochester.

Left Field

Royals (2^nd) 127

Indians (3^rd) 124

Tigers (4^th) 117

Twins (10^th) 85

Sox(14^th) 73

Defensively: Royals(1), Tigers(6), Twins(9), White Sox(10), Indians (11)

Rosario just surpassed Escobar in plate appearances by a Twin left fielder. Rosario’s performance would put the Twins a couple of slots up and near league average. He also boosts them defensively over the utility infielders and Arcia. The Twins can expect an improvement from this position in the second half of the season. There is still a significant gap to the production of Gordon, Brantley and Cespedes though.

On the farm: Kepler is in AA and may get a shot. Walker continues to produce but isn’t on the 40. Arcia is heating up in AAA.

Right Field

Tigers(1) 153

Indians(9) 107

Twins(10) 103

Sox(12) 94

Royals(15) 50

Defensively: Royals(2), Tigers(5), Twins(9), Indians(10), White Sox(15)

J.D. Martinez was a waiver claim at the same time the Twins were counting on Bartlett and Kubel. Hunter has performed just below league average in the field and at the plate. Can he keep going? It is hard to imagine that he will improve in the second half. Royals should close the gap with a healthy Rios.

On the farm: Arcia could make a difference. He might help the Twins improve their overall production in RF if used well. A rested Hunter may perform better. I am not suggesting an all out platoon, but I do think Molitor can find a spot twice a week where Arcia can help. Harrison is doing well in AA.

Designated Hitter

Royals(5^th) 122

Indians(8^th) 113

Sox(10^th) 97

Twins(13^th) 89

Tigers(15^th) 77

A healthy Martinez may flip the Tigers from last to first in DH production. Sano can make a huge impact for the Twins. Morales may regress. This is one area where AL Central teams can close the gap.

Twins Outlook

The Twins need to maintain their production from at 3B and RF. They really can’t expect better unless strategic use of Arcia inches them up the RF ranks. They can expect regular use of Rosario and Sano to improve production in LF and DH. They need Mauer to close the gap at 1B also. A 120 wRC+ is reasonable and his production could be the key to the Twins chances in the second half. Sano’s production in July can save the Twins from trading a prospect for a temporary solution at DH.