Minnesota’s Up-the-Middle Defense Among Baseball’s Best

... As long as Buxton's healthy...

Jeffers might be the biggest concern.  If Sanchez is behind the plate this article has to be rewritten.

I agree it should be a strong defense.  Actually, on those days when Kirilloff is at first and Urshela at third, with Buxton, Kepler and whomever in left, the whole defense should be solid.  Actually, the defense and offense look very good.  The pitching is another matter, but hopefully more is to come.

I really like the Twins defense. Who among the pitchers stands out as a good defender. I know Berrios was an exceptional defender.

I think the FO has prioritized a one knee down approach. The metrics must bear out that stolen bases aren’t that bad in the big scheme of things. 

I would like to see a follow up article on which team has the best overall "up the middle" pieces. Dodgers with Bellinger, Turner, Muncy? Braves with Swanson, Albies and Acuna? Twins with Polanco, Correa and Buxton? 

1 hour ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I really like the Twins defense. Who among the pitchers stands out as a good defender. I know Berrios was an exceptional defender.

Gray is a great athlete and fielder as well.  

You've got a typo in the second sentence of the article. 

A signing of Brent Gardner would ensure solid defense in CF should Buxton go down. Tim Beckham should be reliable at SS if Correa is out. 

1 hour ago, Minny505 said:

A signing of Brent Gardner would ensure solid defense in CF should Buxton go down. Tim Beckham should be reliable at SS if Correa is out. 

If we signed Gardner, what would happen to Jake (don't call me Punto) Cave? ?

Great article Cody. I liked the importance you put on "up the middle defense" for pitchers. Especially now with inexperienced pitchers, a flub or a bleeding infield could really pay the toll. 

Until you included catching I'd say we have a slightly better middle defensively than last season but with the changes at catching I'd rate us slightly less. Because Jeffers is too obvious w/ his stealing strikes and his poor arm. Of course his stance doesn't help either.

Especially comparing with other clubs we need to look at depth in correspondence to susceptility to injury where we lack very much for years. Catching is a very demanding position which depth is very important. #1 back up Sanchez (very bad). SS #1 back - slight improvement with Lewis's inclusion, yet is iffy,  still not solid. CF #1 back - Celestino should've been ready but has taken a step back, maybe Martin will become the one? yet not solid. 2B our lesser position and Polanco good health, is less important yet we here we have over abundant depth. With questions of Correa and Buxton playing not much over 100 games and the demand at catching, I'd like more viable, truer MLB ready replacements. 

2 hours ago, Minny505 said:

A signing of Brent Gardner would ensure solid defense in CF should Buxton go down. Tim Beckham should be reliable at SS if Correa is out. 

Please, no more former Yankees on the Twins.

As long as everyone stays healthy they can have one of the best defenses in the league.  Not only having 2 platinum glove winners, Kepler is above average, Arraez I believe had good numbers at 3rd and expect he will get most of the innings there when healthy.  LF and 1b will be biggest holes overall.  

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Please, no more former Yankees on the Twins.