Can a Short King Triumph? Luis Arraez Goes to First Base

[Peter Labuza]

Luis Arráez sometimes looks more like a court jester than a batter. His performances at the plate seem almost acrobatic as he chases outside the zone, providing a dance move after laying off a pitch. How else can one describe the short king of the team? At a (reported, though Seth Stohs believes it to be true) 5 foot 10 inches—the shortest hitter on the Twins roster— Arráez often feels like the little batter than could.

Since coming back from the COVID IL, Luis Arráez has returned to a tricky role for his short stature: first base. After some questionable defensive plays at third base had a few too many Twins fans in agony, Rocco Baldelli began shifting Arráez across the diamond.

Although Arráez is only a few inches shorter than most of his teammates, the position does raise questions: does size matter at first? The common assumption among most baseball experts, and one that Miguel Sanó easily fit, is that the player should be a big target. Lumbering at 6’3” and 270ish pounds, the big man could often be seen stretching for balls from various players over the years.

With Sanó out for some time, prospect call up Jose Miranda seems like a more conventional choice for the position at 6’2” and 210 pounds. But as much as everything in baseball can be questioned to find an advantage, perhaps Arráez is not as much of a problem as one might expect.

Although you can find the height of every baseball player on their BRef page, actual height data is rarely provided in data sets among hitting or fielding. That makes comparison across the league a bit harder, so I mostly focused on the 2021 performances at first base. These players range from big boys like Matt Olson and Freddie Freeman (6’5”), to players closer to Arráez like Carlos Santana and Ty France (5’11”).

Over its history, the league has made way for small hitters like Jose Ramirez and Mookie Betts, but these players are rarely found at first base. Even when first basemen might show some vertical challenge, they might have some size to make up for it. Max Muncy played most of first for the Dodgers in their 2021 season, sitting only two inches above Arráez, but with 50 more pounds of muscle. He can stretch those legs much further than what we’ve seen from Arráez so far.

As baseball has transformed, the decrease in the height of a first baseman has changed as well. First base has often been the place, for lack of a better word, smashers with bad defense. As Matt Eddy reported for Baseball America just last year, “A 6-foot player was once deemed too short to play first base, with exceptions made for the most prodigious sluggers, such as Prince Fielder.” But particularly in a game where grounders are going the way of the dodo, that means having excellent defenders at first base has become even more critical than it was even a decade ago. If Arráez’s defense is questionable, it will feel even less important in 2022 Baseball.

But the question is not whether Arráez’s defense matters, but whether a tall boy makes for better defense at first base. Although bigger men in 2021 did usually better in Outs Above Average and Defensive Runs Saved, so did Mariners hitter Ty France, who lives only an inch about Arráez. France was close to top in the league in the advance metric UZR, considered by many to be the gold standard of infield defensive stats. At the bottom of this list? Miguel Sanó. UZR can be tricky—Josh Donaldson was close to Sanó in the metric, and the eye test would tell you that the former third basemen was hardly a schlub in the role. But the closer we look, the correlation between height and defense falls apart.

There is one key difference that might assist Arráez’s defense over either Miranda or Sanó, which might sound surprising, his speed. Over in Los Angeles, the Dodgers were constantly shifting Max Muncy around, which worked due to his quick reactions and acceleration speed. Muncy is hardly a speed demon, but he is extremely quick in his reflexes. It’s something the Dodgers liked about Freeman as well to bring him over from Atlanta. Arráez’s speed puts him at the same level as Vlad Guerrero Jr., Yuli Gurriel, and Ty France. None of these men are in Muncy’s elite level, but it allows for more flexibility there rather than a single target and might assist in building unique positioning.

Most giants at first base do not show a lot of speed, and while Arráez is hardly a demon, his average speed could make for a bit more positioning work through the season.

Arráez’s bat, as we’ve seen even in this first month, is too important to not put somewhere in this lineup to drive in runs. As long as the player can manage the role, the singles smasher will play an unsung advantage in a position where the combined first baseman of the league hit for only 108 wRC+ in 2019.

So far, he hasn’t missed any balls at first in his few game sample. But in a game that depends on finding advantages in every nook and cranny, perhaps the front office might find a hidden advantage in putting a short king slugger at first.

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[Dave The Dastardly]

Interesting. How tall was the North Pole (Doug Mientkiewicz)?

[Little Piranhas]

Louis Arraez's height, while not ideal, should not be a huge factor in the decision to play him at first.  

The Twins must find a way to keep him in the lineup and first base is as good as anywhere.  With Sano on the IL, we have a major vacancy at the position.  Miranda looks completely overmatched against ML pitching and should be sent down once Correa returns. 

Can somebody please enlighten me as to why Rocco is/was batting Miranda in the one through six spots in the lineup and batting Lewis in the nine hole?

[Blyleven2011]

Arreaz will be the first basemen when facing right handed pitching and he had been fine so far To let him play there so his bat is in the lineup  ,,, miranda  will platoon against the lefyhanders  and if he doesn't get going with the bat might be the next player demoted to AAA ....

The short king is a major leaguer and has been since his arrival ....

Bats like gwynn and hits like carew  ...  love the little guy 

[Muppet]

26 minutes ago, Little Piranhas said:

Louis Arraez's height, while not ideal, should not be a huge factor in the decision to play him at first.  

The Twins must find a way to keep him in the lineup and first base is as good as anywhere.  With Sano on the IL, we have a major vacancy at the position.  Miranda looks completely overmatched against ML pitching and should be sent down once Correa returns. 

Can somebody please enlighten me as to why Rocco is/was batting Miranda in the one through six spots in the lineup and batting Lewis in the nine hole?

Because Lewis is speed on the bases and is good to have with Arraez at the plate. Also, though he has hit well so far, he doesn't have enough experience yet to show he is consistently a .300 hitter. Why Miranda is within the first six... I have no idea. Because he has to hit somewhere and there are already a lot of bad hitters on the team? 

[Trov]

38 minutes ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

Interesting. How tall was the North Pole (Doug Mientkiewicz)?

Baseball reference has him at 6-2 195.  I do not think a guy needs to be tall to play first base, but it does not hurt if they are tall and flexible.  As shown on a couple of plays yesterday, every inch on a throw counts.  If a guy can make a couple extra inches stretch to get to the ball that can mean the difference between an out or a hit.  

Now as pointed out in the article, if he can make up for it by having greater range then it may balance out.  I am not one that says you much be this tall to play 1st, but also being able to stretch on the base to a wider catch radius will help save some bad throws, but knowing how to jump off base and still get out can counter that too.  

Arraez needs to be in the line up hitting, so if playing him at 1st is the way to do it great.  He made a couple of good digs yesterday.  I am sure he never played 1st before in his life until the most recent two years. More time will result in better results hopefully. 

[PDX Twin]

He's not Fred Patek!

[Karbo]

I like Arraez at 1B so far. He's made most the plays he should make and is learning the position. I can see a possible situation where he plays 1B against rightys and maybe move Urshala to 1B against leftys and let Lewis play 3B? Then maybe give Lewis some LF against rightys a few times a week to keep him in the lineup? Just an idea.

[4twinsJA]

I like Lewis as much as anybody, but given his limited playing time the last 2 years, he needs to play everyday. When Correa comes back, Lewis likely back to AAA. 

Arraez's fielding seems to have regressessed this year, can hide that somewhat at 1B, but he should not whiff at groudballs within his limited range.

There was a play this weekend where Miranda had the wrong foot on 1B and could not stretch very far for a throw from Sanchez, was reviewed and still got the out. But if Miranda had played correctly, there would have been no question. Hate to see playing inexperienced 1B come back to bite the Twins at a key moment. Hopefully somehow Kirilloff's wrist cooperates and he comes back up to play 1B and Arraez back to primary DH. Kirilloff seems to be best defensive 1B Twins have.

[Doctor Gast]

I suggested last year for Arraez to play 1B,  but I was welcomed with the comment that he's to short. Arraez isn't the proto-type big  power hitting  1B but to keep his bat in the line-up and his lack of range, this is a good position for him.

I'm happy w/ his performance so far and with Kiriloff demoted to AAA with the possibility of Kiriloff gone the rest of the year to have surgery to widden the gap of his wrist. We will actually need him to continue to play there.

Arraez has never impressed me with his speed but last night he stole 2B and scored on a hit. Has he sprouted wings?

[DocBauer]

A healthy lineup has solid/good hitters and good power across the lineup. Ad a result, there's nothing wrong with your DH or 1B being a different kind of hitter than has been the traditional mainstay. There is a need and place in most any lineup for a special hitter like Arraez and this works. 

Yes, more length can sometimes be a split second arrival of the ball to glove or an extra inch allows for a wider catch radius on a wide or high throw. But the most important thing is just to catch the ball and to handle hops and scoops. Arraez can do that without issue. Again, this works. 

(It also helps to have some pretty good arms in the infield where you don't have to scramble for errant throws constantly.)

[LA VIkes Fan]

Arraez needs to play 1B to get into the lineup - there isn't anyplace else for him to play. Count me on the team that says when Correa comes back, Lewis goes to 3B 3-4 times a week, and Arraez and Urshela become a tandem 1B/3B/UTL entry. I don't think Lewis needs to play SS everyday but I agree he should play every day. I think it should be at the MLB level. Why? Because he is one of the best 6 or 7 players on the team and has earned a spot. He needs to devlop at the plate as well as in the field. Arraez goes to 1B against RH pitching, Urshela or Kepler plays there against LH pitching. Lewis plays 3-4 days a week at 3B, 1 at SS,  maybe DHs one. Larnach plays LF or DHs every day when he comes back, Celestino plays CF, LF or RF. Gordon and Urshela are UTL players with Urshela in the lineup more often than not. Best lineup we presently have.  

[Rosterman]

YOU CAN MAYBE STRETCH A LITTLE BIT MORE. BUT IF YOU HAVE TO STRETCH, THE PROBLEM IS ON THE THROW.

 

[RpR]

9 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

YOU CAN MAYBE STRETCH A LITTLE BIT MORE. BUT IF YOU HAVE TO STRETCH, THE PROBLEM IS ON THE THROW.

 

Height reach makes up to a degree for the throw.

[Minny505]

Height at 1B is extremely helpful when the rest of the IF is less talented. in HS and college, that height advantage can be extreme, as the 1B has to stretch up and down the line to snag poor throws on a regular basis. MLB fielders were closer to this for most of MLB history, so it's no surprise the belief exists.

In the modern MLB game, fielders around the IF have such incredible arms that throws are rarely needed to be stretched for horizontally. They just don't make as many errant throws. 

Footwork/positioning and scooping ability is much more important in modern MLB.

 

-------------------

 

[side note: I play amateur baseball. The main, and very noticeable, difference between 30 year old amateurs and 30 year old pros on defense is the ability to throw. Most amateur players at comparable ages seem to have similar range and glovework as their professional counterparts. But wow, the throwing is SOOOOO different.]

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

Him getting reps at 1B is good for him and the team.  It just gives him more position-flexibility.  Anything that can keep this young man's bat in the lineup is a great thing.  His quickness and glove may make up for his shorter stature.

[DocBauer]

7 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Arraez needs to play 1B to get into the lineup - there isn't anyplace else for him to play. Count me on the team that says when Correa comes back, Lewis goes to 3B 3-4 times a week, and Arraez and Urshela become a tandem 1B/3B/UTL entry. I don't think Lewis needs to play SS everyday but I agree he should play every day. I think it should be at the MLB level. Why? Because he is one of the best 6 or 7 players on the team and has earned a spot. He needs to devlop at the plate as well as in the field. Arraez goes to 1B against RH pitching, Urshela or Kepler plays there against LH pitching. Lewis plays 3-4 days a week at 3B, 1 at SS,  maybe DHs one. Larnach plays LF or DHs every day when he comes back, Celestino plays CF, LF or RF. Gordon and Urshela are UTL players with Urshela in the lineup more often than not. Best lineup we presently have.  

I can't disagree with you, even though I still have qualms about Lewis' development as a ML SS for the future not playing the position on a regular basis. 

I like the idea of Lewis, if kept up, splitting time here and there. I also believe Arraez should be in the lineup just about every day between 3 spots and DH. Urshela's offense just SHOULD be better than it's been based on his last 3yrs. But his glove flashes GG caliber. He needs to be in the lineup against LHP and can also be a defensive replacement. The glove is good enough to be in the lineup once in a while against RHP as well, in your scenario. Gordon also fills in here and there, etc.

The only "problem" with your presentation...and it's a GOOD problem..is trying to build a 13 man position roster with Garlick to face LHP, Larnach back, Kirilloff MAYBE/EVENTUALY back, and then Sano back at some point and potentially ready for a strong 1/2-2/3 of a season.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself here, but we COULD have a roster crunch coming relatively soon.

[RpR]

Ushela's glove should be in the game full time except Baldelli's rest thing.

[LA VIkes Fan]

13 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I can't disagree with you, even though I still have qualms about Lewis' development as a ML SS for the future not playing the position on a regular basis. 

I like the idea of Lewis, if kept up, splitting time here and there. I also believe Arraez should be in the lineup just about every day between 3 spots and DH. Urshela's offense just SHOULD be better than it's been based on his last 3yrs. But his glove flashes GG caliber. He needs to be in the lineup against LHP and can also be a defensive replacement. The glove is good enough to be in the lineup once in a while against RHP as well, in your scenario. Gordon also fills in here and there, etc.

The only "problem" with your presentation...and it's a GOOD problem..is trying to build a 13 man position roster with Garlick to face LHP, Larnach back, Kirilloff MAYBE/EVENTUALY back, and then Sano back at some point and potentially ready for a strong 1/2-2/3 of a season.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself here, but we COULD have a roster crunch coming relatively soon.

Agreed. I think the roster crunch most likely gets resolved by an injury or two but if we're lucky.... could be an issue. It really effects the limited players - Garlick who can only hit LH pitching and is a detriment in the field and Sano whose hitting challenges are well documented and who also is a problem in the field. Those are the two guys at risk of being gone when and if a roster crunch occurs. BTW, the one plae I disagree is the assumption that Sano will ahve a stron 1/2 a season (all that will be left when he is eligible to return in July.) I honestly think that he is regressing and we've seen the best he has and it's all downhill from here. Hope I'm wrong. 

[TwinsAce]

It's been fun watching Arraez seemingly do well at 1B.  Makes me think back to Moneyball...just need to score runs sometimes.

I also agree with some of the posts above that AK is probably our best defensive 1B.  Miranda isn't bad, but I've been disappointed in how he looks in the field, especially at 1B.  Still an exciting prospect, but confirms why he isn't considered a ++ defender.

[JustWinBaby]

Luis Arraez should play 1st Base against both right-handed and left-handed pitchers.  His career OBP against LHP as well as RHP is high, with his career OBP against LHP almost as good as against RHP.  Polanco and Correa will have more RBI and the Twins will score more runs with Arraez batting 1st or 2nd or 3rd in the batting order every game. 

Arraez career OBP against LHP is better than the OBP of the other players who have played 1st base this season.  Rocco likes to gives his players rest periodically, so he should rest Arraez when certain LHP start games for the Twins opponents.

1^st Base is a new defensive position for Arraez and he has done well so far.  He will improve with more experience.

 

[ashbury]

On 5/16/2022 at 7:23 PM, DocBauer said:

I know I'm getting ahead of myself here, but we COULD have a roster crunch coming relatively soon.

Any roster crunch worthy of the term will be easily resolved, because the excess talent will have actual, you know, trade value, instead of just being waiver wire fodder.

[rwilfong86]

On 5/19/2022 at 2:21 PM, ashbury said:

Any roster crunch worthy of the term will be easily resolved, because the excess talent will have actual, you know, trade value, instead of just being waiver wire fodder.

The question is who do they trade and for what? They've got so many pieces contributing right now and the return has to be better than what they got from the Rogers deal. 

[rwilfong86]

On 5/16/2022 at 9:30 PM, RpR said:

Ushela's glove should be in the game full time except Baldelli's rest thing.

Gold Glove caliber D at 3rd.