Do the Twins Have the Best Lineup in the American League?

[Nash Walker]

After hitting a Major League record 307 home runs in 2019, the Twins added another huge bat in Josh Donaldson. How does their lineup compare to the Yankees and Astros?CATCHER:

 

 

Garver completely broke out in 2019 and many have speculated that he will regress some in 2020. While a minor step back is likely, he remains the best hitting catcher among these three candidates. Sánchez has big time power but has struggled to get on base (.305) since 2018.

 

1st: Mitch Garver

2nd: Gary Sánchez

3rd: Martín Maldonado

 

FIRST BASE:

 

 

Voit figures to rotate with Miguel Andújar and Mike Ford after failing to make the postseason roster last fall. Gurriel is entering his age-36 season and had never hit more than 18 homers before 2019. Sanó is the best hitter here and also has the highest ceiling.

 

1st: Miguel Sanó

2nd: Yuli Gurriel

3rd: Luke Voit

 

SECOND BASE:

 

 

 

LeMahieu was the best value signing in free agency in 2019 and garnered 178 votes in the AL MVP race, finishing fourth. Altuve had another great season and is tied for seventh in wRC+ (145) since 2017 (min. 1,000 PA). Arráez may win the batting title in 2020 after hitting .334 in his debut. Altuve’s track record of excellence gets him the win here with LeMahieu a close second and Arráez a strong third.

 

1st: José Altuve

2nd: DJ LeMahieu

3rd: Luis Arráez

 

SHORTSTOP:

 

 

Correa is exceptionally talented but struggles to stay healthy. He has played a total of 185 games in the past two seasons. Torres looks like an absolute superstar and just turned 23 years old. Polanco started for the AL in the All-Star game with a stellar season of his own. Correa and Polanco is a tough call for second to the outstanding Torres.

 

1st: Gleyber Torres

2nd: Carlos Correa

3rd: Jorge Polanco

 

THIRD BASE:

 

 

Bregman was the runner-up for AL MVP as Mike Trout edged him out by 20 vote points. Donaldson won the award in 2015 and has been raking since his breakout 2013. Urshela was one of the biggest surprises of 2019, but his .589 OPS in the three seasons before are telling enough. Bregman gets the edge over Donaldson.

 

1st: Alex Bregman

2nd: Josh Donaldson

3rd: Gio Urshela

 

LEFT FIELD:

 

 

Stanton played in just 18 regular season games after injuring his knee but is ranked 9th in home runs among active players (308). Brantley continues to post great numbers from the left side and Rosario, while a borderline All-Star, had a down year in 2019. Stanton is a stud when healthy and Brantley has a career .354 on-base percentage.

 

1st: Giancarlo Stanton

2nd: Michael Brantley

3rd: Eddie Rosario

 

CENTER FIELD:

 

 

Springer will earn $21 million in his final year of arbitration after finishing 7th in AL MVP voting. Gardner will be 37 in August and his 2019 slugging percentage was the highest of his career (.503). Buxton is just getting started at the plate and hopes to stay healthy moving forward. Springer will be one of the biggest names on the free agent market after the 2020 season.

 

1st: George Springer

2nd: Byron Buxton

3rd: Brett Gardner

 

RIGHT FIELD:

 

 

Kepler flashed his power potential in a phenomenal 2019 campaign. Judge has averaged only 107 games played the last two seasons but boasts extreme size and exceptional on-base skills. Reddick should eventually give way to Kyle Tucker after a poor year at the dish. Give me Judge, with Kepler a fairly close second with upside.

 

1st: Aaron Judge

2nd: Max Kepler

3rd: Josh Reddick

 

DESIGNATED HITTER:

 

 

Cruz is discussing an extension with the Twins after posting the second highest OPS in the AL in 2019 (1.031). Àlvarez won Rookie of the Year for 87 unbelievable games. After letting Edwin Encarnación walk, the Yankees will likely rotate Andújar and Clint Frazier in the Designated Hitter spot. Cruz is one of the best hitters in the game and doesn’t look to be slowing down.

 

1st: Nelson Cruz

2nd Yordan Àlvarez

3rd: Miguel Andújar

 

FINAL TOTALS:

1st place spot = 3 points

2nd place spot = 2 points

3rd place spot = 1 point

 

 

Best lineup in the AL: Houston Astros

2nd best lineup in the AL: Minnesota Twins

3rd best lineup in the AL: New York Yankees

 

What do you think of these rankings? comment below!

 

MORE FROM TWINS DAILY

— Latest Twins coverage from our writers

— Recent Twins discussion in our forums

— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

 

Click here to view the article

[Seansy]

I think the difference between catcher and right field for Houston versus the Twins and Yankees edges them down to 3rd place for me.

 

1) NYY

2) Twins

3) Asterisks

[Nebraska Nick]

Could just imagine if Sanó heard a trash can banging and laying off breaking balls low and away and forcing only fastballs to be thrown to him what the comparison would have been between him and Bregman (prior to moving to first this year)...

[Brandon]

This is absolutely a fun debate.  We should make a series out of this, maybe do WAR next.  And we should also compare bench bats as well.  We are pretty stacked there too.  That matters in determining offensive fire power too.  I am sure there are likely other aspects to judget the offenses on as well.  

[strumdatjaguar]

The answer? Yes!

[etwink]

This was a really interesting, though subjective review.  My only complaint is that Correa DESTROYS Polanco.  It’s not even close.  Yes, there is the injuries, but you weren’t comparing stats, you were grading their ability.  Also, you are assuming the 35 yr old Gardner will start in CF....not Aaron Hicks?  Does a healthy Hicks beat out a healthy Buxton.....that would be an interesting debate.

 

The “cheating Astros” comments overall are getting old.  Are we really to believe that José Altuve would turn into Steve Lombardozzi without the banging?  Come on.

Cheating is bad, of course, always.  We live in a broken world here.  But the best players are still the best.

[wombat28]

Altuve: One World Series Championship cheating.  Lombardozzi: One World Series Championship not cheating. How do you want to raise your kids?

[ashbury]

Forecasting is hard, and I can't take much issue with these views. My strongest disagreement would be about Houston's DH - Alvarez could wind up leading the league in OPS. Much as I like our guy, Cruz may not be able to keep up with that, even at his best.

 

Our young guys could take a step forward, or they could regress from career-years. But same is true for other teams. This study serves to remind me how hard it is to be the best - these are some seriously potent offenses, and it's pretty good to be mentioned in the same breath with them. Points up to me how we can't rely on our position players to carry all the load, the pitching needs to be top-notch too if we hope to make serious noise in the post-season.

[Darius]

Considering it’s been proven the Astros have cheated, and the Yankees have been implicated, I’ll take the Twins lineup once things get cleaned up.

 

Yes, the cheating made a difference. If you don’t think so, I don’t know what to tell. Would Altuve stink without cheating? Of course not. But, claiming he would still be as good is just a terrible take. Of course they were wearing buzzers (if you believe Altuve’s “shy” narrative about the his jersey, may the Lord help you out in the real world). The Astros have to be considered a sham until they can show otherwise.

 

Also, it’s really hard for me take the Yankees seriously when they play in that joke of a ballpark. Put Aaron Judge in Target Field and he probably has 10 fewer home runs (a lot of his HRs would get eaten up by that scoreboard in right center). Gleyber Torres is a total fraud and cheater like Altuve, and I’m positive that it’ll come out at some point. Stanton, Judge, and LeMaheiu are legitimate hitters, but that ball park helps them and nobody else in that lineup scares me a whole lot when they’re not cheating.

 

Level the playing field and the Twins have the best lineup in baseball. I’d stack Garver, Cruz, Donaldson, and Sano against anyone in the planet. What’s also lost on some is that the Twins still have room to grow. Buxton could break out offensively. Rosario could go back to his 2017 form. Miguel Sano could rake for the entire season, instead of half. Garver could get more PAs. These other lineups, I feel, have sort of “peaked.” I think the Twins lineup has plenty of room to improve.

[Darius]

Forecasting is hard, and I can't take much issue with these views. My strongest disagreement would be about Houston's DH - Alvarez could wind up leading the league in OPS. Much as I like our guy, Cruz may not be able to keep up with that, even at his best.

 

Our young guys could take a step forward, or they could regress from career-years. But same is true for other teams. This study serves to remind me how hard it is to be the best - these are some seriously potent offenses, and it's pretty good to be mentioned in the same breath with them. Points up to me how we can't rely on our position players to carry all the load, the pitching needs to be top-notch too if we hope to make serious noise in the post-season.

Just my opinion, you could be right. But, it’s just as likely that Alvarez comes back down to earth without a buzzer on. Or, that he levels off as the league gathers more scouting reports (same argument I make against Arraez continuing to hit .350).

 

That said, I think Cruz is a ticking time bomb. Having the ability to hit the ball is one thing. Cruz can clearly still do that. But, at some point your body just shuts down. Soft tissue and joint injuries pile up and take much longer to heal, no matter the amount of preparation.

 

Interesting conversation.

[mikelink45]

If the baseball is changed so there are fewer home runs I would prefer total bases to HR in the comparison.  Maybe next year will be the year of the double.

[rdehring]

Yes

[Han Joelo]

Total OPS+ for these lineups:

 

Twins: 1174

Yankees: 1012

Asterisks:  1169

 

Case closed.  No Twin under 100.

[TopGunn#22]

This is a GREAT debate.  I agree, let's visit this several times over the coming season.  Clearly, you've identified the top 3 teams.  But there are so many nuances with each lineup that it could be any of the 3.  There will be a lot of "prove it" to me with the Astros lineup this year, but there is no doubt they have some studs.  What the Yankees did last year offensively with all those injuries is terrifying.  What if Stanton & Judge are healthy for a whole season?  What if Andujar gets 550 AB's? (that kid can flat out HIT).  What is the ceiling for Gleybor Torres?  Can Urshela even come close to 2019?  And on the Twins side...what if Buxton plays in 150 games?  Can Garver repeat?  What is the ceiling for Sano ?  Can Cruz keep it up ?  This season should be LOTS of FUN !!!

[DocBauer]

As Han Joelo pointed out when using OPS+, suddenly the Twins are #1. The Yankees do play in an absolute bandbox. My point being, there are various ways to measure subject matter like this.

 

I think you did a good and rational job though.

 

However, you do base everything on a position by position basis for a final outcome. Which I get. And you're not wrong necessarily. But how about Buxton for 140 games? Maybe he still finishes 2nd here. But the overriding impact is tremendous. Same for Sano at 1B doing what he did last year but all year in 2020. There is no #1 with a bullet attached to this ranking system, just position by position, not really the team as a whole.

 

Great debate!

[jimbo92107]

With our lineup, plus electronically stealing signs, the Twins can play even with Houston!

[Monkeypaws]

Factor in balance and speed, I'd put the Twins about 12.

[Nine of twelve]

 

Total OPS+ for these lineups:

 

Twins: 1174

Yankees: 1012

Asterisks:  1169

 

Case closed.  No Twin under 100.

Two comments:

One: using the total OPS+ instead of ranking each position improves the accuracy of this analysis, and I think including stadium and cheating factors would move this total this even more in the Twins' favor.

Two: I will henceforth refer to the Houston MLB team using this name.

[jkcarew]

As a team, Houston's batting OPS was higher on the road than it was at home in both 2017 and 2018. Higher at home in 2019. If they're healthy, they'll be plenty good offensively.

 

It's plenty fine with me that the Twins are even in the conversation...which they undoubtedly are. 

[jkcarew]

 

Altuve: One World Series Championship cheating.  Lombardozzi: One World Series Championship not cheating. How do you want to raise your kids?

Hyperbole much? I don't think I'll choose stealing signs in major league baseball games as the criterion against which I'll determine that Altuve is scum and Lombardozzi is a great guy. Then again, I think I might be in the minority here.

[DocBauer]

Factor in balance and speed, I'd put the Twins about 12.

This really made me truly LOL

[Penthang]

As Topgunn#22 said, this would be a fun review maybe on opening day and then quarterly through the season…especially since injuries can change a lineup a lot.

ETwink, Hicks had Tommy John a couple months ago and probably won’t be much of a factor if he plays at all this season.

[chinmusic]

 

Hyperbole much? I don't think I'll choose stealing signs in major league baseball games as the criterion against which I'll determine that Altuve is scum and Lombardozzi is a great guy. Then again, I think I might be in the minority here.

 

[chinmusic]

You are not alone!

[Mr. Brooks]

Hyperbole much? I don't think I'll choose stealing signs in major league baseball games as the criterion against which I'll determine that Altuve is scum and Lombardozzi is a great guy. Then again, I think I might be in the minority here.

I have no idea if Altuve is "scum", or what kind of guy Lombardozzi is.

But, anyone who systematically cheats is devoid of character.

[TFRazor]

 

Factor in balance and speed, I'd put the Twins about 12.

:ESPN has entered the Chat

[TFRazor]

 

Hyperbole much? I don't think I'll choose stealing signs in major league baseball games as the criterion against which I'll determine that Altuve is scum and Lombardozzi is a great guy. Then again, I think I might be in the minority here.

Hyperbole maybe. He's also not wrong

[wabene]

Could just imagine if Sanó heard a trash can banging and laying off breaking balls low and away and forcing only fastballs to be thrown to him what the comparison would have been between him and Bregman (prior to moving to first this year)...

 

Considering it’s been proven the Astros have cheated, and the Yankees have been implicated, I’ll take the Twins lineup once things get cleaned up.Yes, the cheating made a difference. If you don’t think so, I don’t know what to tell. Would Altuve stink without cheating? Of course not. But, claiming he would still be as good is just a terrible take. Of course they were wearing buzzers (if you believe Altuve’s “shy” narrative about the his jersey, may the Lord help you out in the real world). The Astros have to be considered a sham until they can show otherwise.Also, it’s really hard for me take the Yankees seriously when they play in that joke of a ballpark. Put Aaron Judge in Target Field and he probably has 10 fewer home runs (a lot of his HRs would get eaten up by that scoreboard in right center). Gleyber Torres is a total fraud and cheater like Altuve, and I’m positive that it’ll come out at some point. Stanton, Judge, and LeMaheiu are legitimate hitters, but that ball park helps them and nobody else in that lineup scares me a whole lot when they’re not cheating. Level the playing field and the Twins have the best lineup in baseball. I’d stack Garver, Cruz, Donaldson, and Sano against anyone in the planet. What’s also lost on some is that the Twins still have room to grow. Buxton could break out offensively. Rosario could go back to his 2017 form. Miguel Sano could rake for the entire season, instead of half. Garver could get more PAs. These other lineups, I feel, have sort of “peaked.” I think the Twins lineup has plenty of room to improve.

Nothing to add here.

[Doctor Gast]

Yeah! If you take away cheating the Twins are #1. Besides Astos, NY Yankees & Red Sox were warned about using electronic devices. Cheating should be better patrolled & more severely punished (like forfeit of game). Any suspicions should be able to contest & scanned for devices

[etwink]

 

Hyperbole much? I don't think I'll choose stealing signs in major league baseball games as the criterion against which I'll determine that Altuve is scum and Lombardozzi is a great guy. Then again, I think I might be in the minority here.

Thanks Carew, you got the point that I was trying to make!  I just messed up and referenced someone with a ring from a beloved Twins team, rather than a goat like Pedro Florimon or someone like that.

 

....though having actually watched Lombo play, the idea of he being mentioned in the same breath, talent-wise, is so beyond ludicrous.