Twins Daily Minnesota Twins Hitter of the Month: April 2022

[Ted Schwerzler]

Although this was a weird start to the season thanks to a lockout-shortened spring training, and the big league club had less than ideal weather in Minnesota, the Twins ripped off a seven-game winning streak and finished the month 12-9. Pitching was better than expected, and while not all the bats warmed up, a few showed up in a big way.

Despite the Twins attempting to coin the phrase, "We rake" early on in the season, they didn't see that sustained level of success until about the third week. Closing out the month well, it was a combination of strong starting pitching and good production from the bats. Plenty has been made about the lineup being boom or bust, having the ability to only win with the longball, but that notion was also dispelled early.

The Twins have shown they can compete offensively through a wide array of outcomes and that has benefitted them with a ball traveling shorter distances. They'll continue to make adjustments as the season goes on, but these three players have helped to lead the charge early.

Honorable Mention 2: Luis Arraez

Expected to be somewhat of a rotational player and work in starts as a utility man, it only took a matter of weeks for Arraez to find a regular starting role. Playing in 20 games during the first month of the season, Arraez drew starts at first base (for the first time in his career), second base, third base, and designated hitter.

Across 74 plate appearances, the modern-day Rod Carew has slashed .318/.386/.397. Never a guy who will be known for power, Arraez has continued the blueprint of being an exceptionally difficult hitter to strike out. He owned a 4/7 K/BB, and his 3.5% whiff rate is the lowest in all of baseball.
 
Minnesota needed someone to fill in across the dirt in the early going this season, and Arraez managed wonderfully.
 
Honorable Mention 1: Max Kepler

Somewhat of a surprise in this space, Kepler was last an above-average hitter in 2019. After mashing 36 homers as part of the Bomba Squad, he dipped to a .760 and .719 OPS the past two seasons, respectively. Putting up a career month, Kepler was tough to be topped in April.

The German outfielder slashed .258/.372/.515 with five homers and 11 RBI. His 9/7 K/BB showed a strong process, but the most notable output comes against lefties. Having struggled against southpaws throughout his career, Kepler posted a 1.011 OPS versus lefties to start the season, which actually trumps the .814 OPS versus righties. While four of his five home runs have come against righties, Kepler has struck out just three times against lefties while drawing seven walks.
 
Should Kepler keep this type of production up as the warmer months come, he’ll be looking likely to make his first All-Star game.
 
Twins Hitter of the Month: Byron Buxton
 
The man got paid, and Buxton is undoubtedly looking to cash in again. With an $8 million MVP incentive, the Twins centerfielder has been arguably the best player in baseball when on the field. He’s missed minimal time due to injury thus far, and his April finished with an outstanding 1.069 OPS.
 
Just two off the Major League lead in homers, Buxton has launched seven (six in April) while tallying four doubles. His 1.2 fWAR is just outside the top 10 across all of baseball, and he’s been every bit as exceptional in the field. The Twins have played 22 games, of which Buxton has been in 14. Continuing to remain available is the chief concern, but if he’s out there, he will make a difference.

It’s conceivable even better months lie ahead for the Minnesota MVP candidate. Buxton owns an 18/2 K/BB on the season, and turning some empty at-bats into walks or base hits will only drive his slash line north. He, too, will benefit from warmer weather, both on the base paths and in batted ball results. As has always been the case, should Buxton be healthy, the production will be gaudy. He’s looking for his first All-Star game appearance this season, and jumping into the top 10 vote-getters for MVP is more than doable.
 
If you were to rank your top 3 for April, are these the three you would have ranked? In the same order? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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[RedneckRay]

I’d put Kepler #1 here. As good as Buxton has been, the resurgence of Kep has been absolutely outstanding, and in my mind, a big reason the Twins are where they are in the standings.

[Karbo]

Nice to see Kepler has discovered there is another field to the left of 2nd base.