3 Rookie Records Set to Fall

[Cody Christie]

Strong performances from rookie players have been one of the highlights of the 2022 Twins season. Here are three records that Twins players can break over the season’s final weeks. 

 

Image courtesy of David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

 

Even in a season that has gone sour, signs point to a bright future for the Twins. Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, and Jose Miranda have all cemented themselves into the team’s plans for the foreseeable future. The Twins might not be in a position to win the division, but these rookie records are something to watch in the team’s final games. 

Most Strikeouts in a Season by a Twins Rookie Pitcher
Ryan has posted some strong performances over the last couple of weeks, which has helped him move up the rookie strikeout list. Over the weekend, Ryan collected his 138th strikeout, and he moved past Bert Blyleven for second on the team’s strikeout list for a rookie pitcher. The only player left for Ryan to pass is Francisco Liriano, who struck out 144 batters in 2006. Ryan has at least two starts left to break the record, and he has struck out eight or more batters in three of his last four starts. He’s already set a career-high in innings pitched as a professional, so the only way to keep him from the record is if the team shuts him down early. 

Most Win Probability Added by a Twins Rookie Pitcher (Since 1990)
Relief pitcher usage in the 1970s and 1980s differed significantly from the modern game. Many writers use the 1990 season as a cutoff for modern bullpen usage, which helps to put in perspective how good Jhoan Duran has been this season. Duran’s 4.58 WPA is 0.83 points higher than Pat Neshek in 2006. Duran currently ranks as the 6th best AL rookie reliever in baseball history regarding WPA over the last 32 years. He can move into the top-3 by passing Dellin Betances, Neftali Feliz, and Chris Sale over the season’s final weeks. In Twins history, only Doug Corbett’s 1980 rookie campaign will be the only season to accumulate more WPA than Duran. 

Rookie Hitters to Lead the Twins in RBI
Jose Miranda enters play on Monday with 64 RBI, the most for the Twins. His next closest competitors are Carlos Correa (58 RBI), Gio Urshela (57 RBI), and Gary Sanchez (53 RBI). All of those players have played more games than Miranda, which highlights how good he has been in his first taste of the big leagues. The last Twins rookie to lead the team in RBI was Kent Hrbek back in 1982. His 44 RBI since July 1st ranks eighth in the American League in that span. Miranda is also in the top-10 among MLB rookies in SLG (6th), OPS (6th), BA (7th), RBI (3rd), multi-hit games (4th), and home runs (7th). There have been some strong rookie performances in the AL this season, but Miranda has proven he can hit at baseball’s highest level. 

Other rookie players have also impacted the Twins roster this season. Gilberto Celestino will lead the team in games started in center field while getting on base over 30% of the time. Jovani Moran and Trevor Megill have pitched over 70 innings out of the Twins bullpen. Even top prospects like Royce Lewis and Matt Wallner have impacted the line-up in limited action. 

Are you surprised by any of the rookie records mentioned above? Which Twins rookie has the brightest future? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[Doctor Gast]

All 3 had very bright season. My choice of the rookie with the most impact is Duran. He has been phenomenal all season long. But the rookie with the brightest future is Royce Lewis, he can excel in everything. IMO no injury will hold him back, just keep him away from CF for heavens sakes.

[Trov]

Without all three we would be fighting for near last place and not even had been talking about trying to win division.  Ryan has been good, but not great, but hopefully he can build off of this season improve and be a solid starter for next few years.  Duran looks like he should be a beast for years to come.  Miranda leading our team in RBI at 64 is just terrible.  I know RBI is not a big stat anymore, but you still need to drive runs in and when our leader is at 64 when I am pretty sure Jose Ramirez had 64 by early July.  I believe Miranda will hit at this level and hopefully for years to come with Twins.  I am not sold on him being a superstar though but a solid hitter for us. 

[bean5302]

37 minutes ago, Trov said:

...Miranda leading our team in RBI at 64 is just terrible.  I know RBI is not a big stat anymore, but you still need to drive runs in and when our leader is at 64 when I am pretty sure Jose Ramirez had 64 by early July.  I believe Miranda will hit at this level and hopefully for years to come with Twins.  I am not sold on him being a superstar though but a solid hitter for us. 

Lineup management has certainly been questionable. Injuries have been frequent as well. The Twins are going to finish the season with 3 guys who qualify...

[umterp23]

Nothing against Celestino but when he starts the most games in CF is not something we should be writing about.  

[RpR]

Jake Cave in his first year up with fewer at bats was the same wonder boy type player Miranda is; next year wil determine Miranda's future, regardless of how good this year went.

Celestino is in a shallow but continual decline with the bat, but does seem to have improved his fielding skills.

[Rosterman]

You have to like the team going forwards with young players in 2023. Ryan, Ober, Varland, Winder are all players to pay attention to their play going forwards. Jeffers is a solid (shared position) young catcher. Although not the guy you thought of at first, Arraez has held his own and if you need a position for the guy..... Lewis COULD be the shortstop of the future. Miranda will be at third (or first). Kirilloff is still potential, and the question is where to play him, too. Larnach and Celestino are decent and pan out as at least fourth outfielders. Wallner will get a big look in spring training. Duran is a stud and should become an elite closer. Moran and Jax have found their places in the bullpen.

That's a nice bit of development from the Twins in just one year. Will they make the team a powerhouse running towards the playoffs every year? Probably not, but there are some fine pieces, some decent returning pioeces (Buxton, Polanco, Maeda, Paddack, Lopez, Gray, Mahle) Alcala is still in the mix. Gordon has found a spot on the team. Do we still need Urshela, or Fulmer going forwards?

A couple of REAL GOOD free agent signings, a team leader bat would be nice! 

Oh, and Caleb Thielbar!

Wow, already have a full roster of 27 with the names above!

[jkcarew]

It’s hard to believe that it took this long for Joe Ryan to arrive. He’s 26 years old. I guess he was unlucky with COVID and a deep organization combining to really slow him down. Hopefully, it’s full speed ahead and he still has some unrealized upside…not that I don’t like what he is. I do.

[PatG]

When was the last time a team made the playoffs having a rookie lead the team in RBIs and Wins?  Just doesn't really happen.

Miranda was put in the position of batting cleanup much of the time.  As a rookie, he probably should have been hitting 7th or possibly 9th (nice segue to 1st hitter).   Miranda definitely did a lot of good, but the other team went after him a bunch, he didn't come through sometimes.

Ryan looks like he needs to put on some weight in the shoulder area.

[MABB1959]

On 9/20/2022 at 1:45 PM, bean5302 said:

I am not sold on him being a superstar though but a solid hitter for us. 

If he did get to a superstar status, the Twins would find a way to let him go.

[bean5302]

3 minutes ago, MABB1959 said:

If he did get to a superstar status, the Twins would find a way to let him go.

Why are you trying to attribute the 

Quote

I am not sold on him being a superstar though but a solid hitter for us.

quote to me? That's @Trov's quote, not mine.

[Minny505]

By the nature of being a position player vs pitcher, Miranda certainly has the brightest future as pitchers break and quickly become ineffective at a much higher rate than position players.

(though if you are judging this statement on the injury history of the Twins system, you'd probably disagree? #snakebitten)