The Biggest Performances of the Season for Luis Arraez

[Ted Schwerzler]

Although the Minnesota Twins season has shifted into meaningless territory following their postseason elimination, Luis Arraez provided excitement en route to winning his first batting title. Looking to keep the competition at bay, there are more than a few games where he’s been the straw to stir the Twins drink.

 

Image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

 

Ever since Luis Arraez took a 9th inning walk coming into the game cold against an 0-2 count and star closer Edwin Diaz, there was something different about him. He had the plate antics of a confident hitter, and his diminutive stature might have drawn comparisons to Rod Carew before we knew the bat would. Now having chased down the Twins first batting title since that of Joe Mauer, Arraez made his mark plenty this offseason.

This season Arraez posted three separate four-hit games, and another thirteen three-hit games. Without singling out specific balls in play, these are the five most impactful games Arraez put forth at the dish in 2022 in terms of Win Probability Added (WPA)

5. July 4 vs Chicago White Sox 0.256 WPA
Playing as the designated hitter and batting leadoff on Independence Day against the division rival White Sox, Arraez had five plate appearances. Johnny Cueto had been rolling for Chicago and despite being a right-handed pitcher, he still should’ve been expected to keep it going against Minnesota.

Arraez led off the game with a double, his first of two on the day. After his second double, Byron Buxton’s fifth-inning home run brought Arraez home as part of Minnesota’s first two runs. Needing a 10th inning and forcing the inherited runner, Arraez delivered when his single off Kendall Gravemen brought Gilberto Celestino home to give the Twins a lead. This was also the game that the Twins turned a ridiculous 8-5 triple play.

4. June 11 vs Tampa Bay Rays 0.268 WPA
Again batting leadoff, Arraez began this game as the Minnesota first baseman, a position he learned on the fly in 2022. After a lineout against Rays Shane Baz in his first plate appearance, Arraez blasted a grand slam in the 3rd inning to score Gilberto Celestino, Nick Gordon, and Ryan Jeffers. That was going to be tough to top, but Arraez added two more singles on the day to grab a three-hit game.

His grand slam added 26% of win probability to Minnesota’s chances for the contest.

3. August 7 vs Toronto Blue Jays 0.270 WPA
Another extra-inning affair, Arraez was off his feet in this one as Minnesota’s designated hitter. Facing Toronto Blue Jays star pitcher Kevin Gausman, one would think he’d have an uphill battle at the dish. Gausman did get him to fly out in his first at-bat, but then Arraez went to work. A line drive double in the 3rd inning was his first hit of the game before a single moved Celestino to second base in the 5th inning. Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th inning with one out, Arraez drove in Tim Beckham to force extras.

The Twins wound up losing this one in extras after Major League Baseball made a mess of themselves calling Whit Merrifield safe after he was thrown out at home and tagged by Gary Sanchez.

2. June 21 vs Cleveland Guardians 0.310 WPA 
Despite being his second most impactful game of the season, this is Arraez’s first on the list in which he had just two hits. Timing and circumstance are weighed heavily into WPA, and we see that here.

Going 0-for-2 in his first two plate appearances, Arraez got on the board with a 5th inning double off of Cleveland starter Aaron Civale. Needing a run in the 7th inning to tie the score at three, Arraez did the Twins much better. Tagging Eli Morgan for a three-run blast scoring Trevor Larnach and Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota was positioned to win this one before an Emilio Pagan meltdown.

1. July 2 vs Baltimore Orioles 0.323 WPA
Just a couple of days prior to the Independence Day heroics, Arraez started at first base against Jordan Lyles and the Orioles. Another two-hit contest here, it was a pair of doubles that created the greatest impact in a single game of Arraez’s season.

Down 2-0 in the 3rd inning, Arraez doubled and pushed teammate Gio Urshela to third base. Ultimately Carlos Correa and Max Kepler left them stranded, but it was the start of a rally. Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning, Arraez’s second double put Celestino in position to score on a sacrifice fly. Jorge Polanco homered off now-teammate Jorge Lopez in the bottom of the 9th inning to tie it before Jose Miranda walked it off.

What have been some of your other favorite moments from Luis Arraez’s league-leading season?

 

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[terrydactyls]

This might be the perfect off-season to use Arraez as the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade (I couldn't think of a better word) for a top of the rotation starting pitcher?????  Thoughts?

[LastOnePicked]

12 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

This might be the perfect off-season to use Arraez as the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade (I couldn't think of a better word) for a top of the rotation starting pitcher?????  Thoughts?

He's probably the fan's favorite player on this team at this point, so that might be a hard sell. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine his value will ever be higher than it is right now.

I'm in a rebuild state of mind, so I say yes. You hope that Martin can step up his game in 2023 and beyond and attempt to fill the OBP gap left by Arraez, while adding speed to the lineup. 

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

This might be the perfect off-season to use Arraez as the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade (I couldn't think of a better word) for a top of the rotation starting pitcher?????  Thoughts?

Post-All Star game, Arraez hit .289 with a .326 OBP. His second half OPS+ was 103. I love what Arraez provides, but his overall value this year and going forward is good, but not great. 
 

He’s a good player and I commend him for going out at less than 100% and learning a new position. 
 

I don’t think he’s untouchable, but it should take a lot to move him. 

[ToddlerHarmon]

1 hour ago, LastOnePicked said:

He's probably the fan's favorite player on this team at this point, so that might be a hard sell. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine his value will ever be higher than it is right now.

I'm in a rebuild state of mind, so I say yes. You hope that Martin can step up his game in 2023 and beyond and attempt to fill the OBP gap left by Arraez, while adding speed to the lineup. 

He's 25. He is who you rebuild around.

[MABB1959]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

This might be the perfect off-season to use Arraez as the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade (I couldn't think of a better word) for a top of the rotation starting pitcher?????  Thoughts?

Why would we want them to get rid of a batting champ?  Do you really trust their ability to get at least an equal value?

[RpR]

Arraez is a good Second Baseman, he is as good there as Gordon is not good; move him and there is a big hole in the infield when Polanco does not play.

[LastOnePicked]

2 hours ago, ToddlerHarmon said:

He's 25. He is who you rebuild around.

He, too, has some injury history and knee/hamstring troubles. By the time this team is close to contention again, he'll be 28-30. Not sure a rebuilding - not a rebuilt - team will really need him. He likely won't be a difference-maker here.

But it's possible that the FO is not rebuilding in 2023, in which case you're right. Get every weapon you can in the lineup. It's not the path I want them to take, but I'd understand.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, LastOnePicked said:

He, too, has some injury history and knee/hamstring troubles.

The injury proneness of many in the entire organization represents a dilemma for the FO.

But when a player has become marketable, as Arraez surely now is, it goes beyond the simpler calculation of whether he'll help win a pennant, and becomes a question also of ticket sales.  I would view him among the last that I would trade away in order to improve the aggregate injury risk.  And at the moment, I'm all about injury risk!  But Buxton and now Arraez are my two "marketing" exceptions I'd work around when planning the roster.

[LastOnePicked]

28 minutes ago, ashbury said:

But when a player has become marketable, as Arraez surely now is, it goes beyond the simpler calculation of whether he'll help win a pennant, and becomes a question also of ticket sales.

Good points, but if the Twins stink again (stinking being defined by a sub-.500 season) in 2023 and 2024, will Arraez really be that much of a draw? I mean, people like Arraez, but they LOVED La Tortuga. I think fans will always find a scrappy player to cheer here.

People want to see the Twins win playoff games - that's what will sell tickets again. The best path to that outcome in my opinion is restocking the minors and going through a talent rebuild.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, LastOnePicked said:

 

People want to see the Twins win playoff games - that's what will sell tickets again. The best path to that outcome in my opinion is restocking the minors and going through a talent rebuild.

Throwing the bones hoping against hope there are first class rookies will mean losing season after losing season and that cannot be afforded by the Pohlads as people already are not coming in droves and will not return to watch a gaggle of AAA wannabes show they should still be in AAA.

2019 they brought in good veterans and WON, they are all gone now and as well as Miranda did this year there the Majors is not where rookies are taught how to field; he would be a good DH but they need a 1st baseman who can field as well as he hits.

The Twins best winning years were a team, players coming back, year after year, that brings in fans to see a "Team" not a here today gone tomorrow group of unknowns; losing Arraez, would mean some nobody newbie would take his place and that tells fans to stay home.

[LastOnePicked]

59 minutes ago, RpR said:

Throwing the bones hoping against hope there are first class rookies will mean losing season after losing season

Tell that to the Astros and the Rays. Of course, you blend established vets with rookies, but you need lots of great rookies first.

But I'll stop on this, since I think this side conversation will derail the celebratory thread. Hats off to Arraez. I'll keep my thoughts about rebuilding for a later thread on 2023.

[Blyleven2011]

What has been some of your other favorite moments from Luis Arraez’s league-leading season  ...

 

Why does everyone avoid the question asked  ...

My favorite moments of arraez  is him in the lineup everyday working the count  , also he adapted to a firstbase position and did a admirable job  ...

Give credit where credit is due ....

Now everyone posting wants to trade him again this off season  , RIDICULOUS  , it's not an option ...

[David Maro]

He didn't get the help he needed around him. This team as built only wants to hit homeruns. He should ask to be traded to a team that plays baseball not homerun. He is a great hitter who is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team. That is why he played 1st base and did a admirable job. Even the Clowns in the booth only talk about homeruns. I wish him well and hope he wins many more batting titles.

[Nine of twelve]

On 10/6/2022 at 8:52 AM, terrydactyls said:

This might be the perfect off-season to use Arraez as the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade (I couldn't think of a better word) for a top of the rotation starting pitcher?????  Thoughts?

One, a team can't expect to receive value in a trade without giving up value. Two, any and every player on the roster (except those with non-trade clauses in their contracts) can and should be traded if the trade will improve the organization. Arraez' value as perceived by potential trading partners may never be higher, so if he were to be traded this would probably be the best time to do that.