Ranking the Twins Designated Hitters So Far

[Peter Labuza]

Like many teams throughout the league, the Twins have forgone a typical Designated Hitter, instead using the position to help some of the usual starters find a semi-rest day. The decision to forgo a permanent hitter in the decision has paid off— with MLB's strange ball tactics this season flying them barely out to the warning tracks, only three DHs are above .300. and it certainly looks like Father Time has finally caught up to Nelson Cruz.

 

But if the Twins would like to see more than a pair of Wild Card games and a continued playoff losing streak, they need to find an effective way to use the DH. Without Cruz this year, the Twins have given a number of players a parade through the position. However, these hitters are currently batting around .234, which is essentially middle of the league. By breaking down who is taking those plate appearances, it becomes clear who has excelled in the position and who might just be better taking a full day of rest. I removed those who basically have a game or two to their name and looked at how these players have faired, and it will of course be seen how returning minor leaguers like Alex Kirilloff or Royce Lewis might fare down the stretch.

5. Byron Buxton
As DH: 41 PAs, .114/.244/.200
As CF: 124 PAs, .250/.315/.607

It actually seems quite surprising in retrospect, but Byron Buxton never stood in the plate as DH a single time before this season. His 41 appearances at the plate are the definition of small sample, particularly when most have come after his unfortunate knee injury, but one thing is clear: the Twins could just rest Buxton when it comes to when he’s not playing CF. I’m as big of a Buxton defender as they come, but something doesn’t seem to sit right when he only appears from the bench. All reports about his continued knee injury seem to point to it effecting his hitting more than his defense. Does getting loose out in CF help him out? Again, we probably need to see Buxton look like April Buxton before we can make a final ruling, but it is clear that he might not be needed in this position if he can play full time in the field.

4. Ryan Jeffers
As DH: 20 PAs, .167/.250/.167
As Catcher: 117 PAs, .165/.259/.301

It was close to see who was worse between Buxton and Jeffers, but I'm giving the edge to Jeffers on the advantage that he has only appeared as DH three times since the beginning of May, and two in these last couple weeks where bats have been depleted, But Jeffers has struggled at the plate; his WRC+ in the last month is a brutal 16 (where 100 is league average). The Twins have a troubling lack of prospects underneath their pair of catchers, meaning Jeffers is here to stay as long as he can frame. But given their plan to forgo a backup catcher in the roster, his lack of DH hitting should be a clear sign to keep him on the bench in case Gary Sánchez goes down. With only three singles in his 20 PAs, Jeffers doesn’t belong in the role, which seems to be now in the plan. 

3. Kyle Garlick and Luis Arráez
Garlick as DH:  11 PAs, .375/.455/.750
Garlick as Outfielder: 48 PAs, .250/.313/.614
Arráez as DH: 17 PAs, .333/.412/.333
Arráez as Infielder: 159 PAs, .348/.434/.406

I’m pairing the two mashers here for this team given their similarities: they have barely played more than a few games each as DH, yet both have shown tremendous numbers. Their problem is they could easily be put in the field. Garlick has proven himself entirely capable as an outfielder, while Arráez has triumphed at first base in his unexpected role. Garlick's three hits as DH have all scored runs, cementing his role as a bench weapon. Arráez DH role—particularly minimized after Miguel Sanó’s exit gave him a more permanent position,, essentially matched his now league leading batting average. But his DH performance on Sunday was the kind that makes him essential, reaching base in every at bat with four singles and a walk. As the Twins shuffle the line up through the season, having Arráez out of any line up will seem insane.

2. Trevor Larnach
As DH: 26 PAs, .375/.423/.667
As Outfielder: 102 PAs, .225/.304/.416

In a year where minor leaguers have shown both greatness and questions, Trevor Larnach has quietly proven his weight in the big leagues. His playing time has been limited in right field behind a hot hitting Max Kepler, though he got to show some of his talents this weekend in Toronto because of…choices. Larnach’s lefty bat makes perfect for platooning out in the field, though notably has shown some incredible defensive skill in recent games. But the bat is what matters here, and Larnach has smashed four doubles and a homer alongside a handful of singles and walks when appearing as DH. As the outfield becomes a bit crowded with the likely return of Alex Kirilloff and Royce Lewis, Larnach will prove himself as capable bat by stepping into DH roles when needed.

1. Gary “El Gary” Sánchez
As DH: 75 PAs, .246/.307/.449
As Catcher: 96 PAs, .221/.281/.453

Hot streaks are fickle. Players can burn bright for just a week and then seemingly disappear into the ether. And yet, it is hard not to feel joy when a hitter finds that sweet spot and pretend it might not last forever. Given how it felt like he was kicked to the curb in New York, Gary Sánchez’s hot streak has been the kind that brings a tear to your eye after every launched ball.

Let’s put it this way. The Twins have 14 doubles from their designated hitters; Sánchez has hit 8 of them. Beyond the obvious candidates, Sánchez has justified having himself in the batting line up every day right now as the leading catchers in baseball in RBIs. He's hitting a lot like early season Buxton with some of the top percentiles in Hard Hit balls, Exit Velocity, and Barrels off the bat. His ISO during the last month puts him in the same conversation as franchise leaders like Manny Machado and George Springer. His strikeout rate is obviously not the best, but the opportunities it creates is why he has slowly moved up in the batting order. Put it this way: if you erased all the names from baseball, Rocco Baldelli would put Sánchez as lead off DH in lieu of Buxton. 

Not everything has clicked—most of Sánchez’s home runs have come on his catching days, but this is a man who is making the most of these extra ABs as a catcher. And when these bats are unreliable, Sánchez is proving his worth behind the plate with essentially now the same framing rate as Jeffers. In fact, Sanchez has a 0.5 fWAR to the Yankees' Kyle Higashioka with a -0.1 fWAR. Feeling out of place in New York, Sánchez seems at home in Minnesota according to the recent profile by Dan Hayes. In a line up where the Twins need power, Sánchez has quietly shown what it might look like.

Who should DH for the Twins? Sound off in the comments.

 

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[mikelink45]

Sanchez needs to be C, Garlick is only against LH, Arraez and Miranda have 1B unless Kiriloff takes it.  It is between those three for DH and 1B.

[Doctor Gast]

Revealing article Peter! Thanks. It shows what our priorites should be. Byron DHs when he's hurt not because he needs a break from CF. I agree if he shouldn't play CF odds are he shouldn't be DHing either no matter how much the fans want to see him. Jeffers is a bad hitter so if he's not catching he should be sitting not DHing.

When the Twins face LHPing, Garlick's bat is a weapon to be used in DH or PH situations. Garlick's glove is the worse option in the OF but it's adequate in a pinch while facing LHPing definitely not RHPing. Stats show that he bats better at DH than when at RF.

Larnach and Arraez should bat at DH to keep their bats in the line up when Kiriloff comes back.

Sanchez has made strides in catching yet I'd still prefer Jeffers there and keep Sanchez at DH. Sanchez is a little above avg. at DH and a little below avg. at catcher but he hits well in clutch situations.

[LA VIkes Fan]

This actually answers a question that I had- is Buxton as bad a DH as it looks? Seems as though he is. I have to think playing 2 out of 3 games in CF is a better way to go with him. Some guys just have a hard time as a DH. Buxton May be one of those guys. 

[farmerguychris]

This just gave me another indicator that we really need to come up with a plan for the future of our C position.  Hoping Jeffers can turn it around, but if he can't DH and he's a No. 2 catcher - what is the plan when Sanchez is a FA after this year?

Platoon DH works for me, more roster flexability!

[RpR]

10 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

This just gave me another indicator that we really need to come up with a plan for the future of our C position.  Hoping Jeffers can turn it around, but if he can't DH and he's a No. 2 catcher - what is the plan when Sanchez is a FA after this year?

Platoon DH works for me, more roster flexability!

Yeah more batters can dissapoint in a series.

[Peter Labuza]

17 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

This just gave me another indicator that we really need to come up with a plan for the future of our C position.  Hoping Jeffers can turn it around, but if he can't DH and he's a No. 2 catcher - what is the plan when Sanchez is a FA after this year?

Platoon DH works for me, more roster flexability!

My thought is this wouldn't be a bad off season for the Twins to court Willson Contreras.

[USNMCPO]

Sanchez does a decent job as DH but i would be concerned about catcher wear and tear. I foresee Sanchez as playing catcher 2 out of 3 games going forward. Rest him on that 3rd day. Let's not forget that the team has "Mr Swing and a Miss" Sano returning in the not too distant future also. 

[PatPfund]

Think it is getting obvious. Jeffers belongs nowhere near the DH position; if he needs constant at-bats (and it sure looks like he does) that is what AAA is for. Call up Godoy, have Sanchez catch slightly more than half, and get the odd stint at DH. (If Jeffers can figure it out, and a trip to St Paul sure seems to have worked for Kirilloff), the Twins are a much better team, and downgrade the urgency for a catching plan next year.

I suspect longer term that Miranda goes down to work on D (and being more selective at the plate), Kirilloff comes up and becomes part of a 1B/OF/DH rotation with Arraez (1B/2B/DH), Larnach (OF/DH), Garlick (OF/DH), Kepler (OF/DH), and a bit of Sanchez. 

And Sano (sadly as I see it). Twins should give him a good, long (as long as they can) rehab stint in St Paul whenever he is ready to play. Then hope he hits enough, soon enough to maybe be a trade chip at the deadline.

No point in making any Lewis plans until there is some sort of timeline. Glad he isn't out for a year again, but it is likely to be weeks, and they need that knee healthy for the long term.

[RpR]

They sent Sano to single A ball to get his mojo back, can they send Jeffers down that low?

[Rosterman]

Just Wait! When Sano reutrns, all will be Well!