Ranking the Twins' Top 5 Hitters By Level of Trust

I’d definitely swap Arraez and Correa; otherwise concur with the youngsters pushing Kepler. Also, Celestino, Urshela, and Sanchez have exceeded expectations. 

Arraez / Correa / Buxton / Kirilloff / Polanco 

Definitely got 1 and 2 out of order.  If Arraez is not number one, this article is pointless.  As for #3, the only reason Buck is in the conversation is his home run total.  If there are 2 outs and the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth, Buck is not on my list of guys I hope are up next.  If he doesn't hit a HR, he ends the game, and the HR chances are not nearly as good as others chances of a hit.  ( on the other hand, if we are one down and no one on, I would want him up on the chance for the HR) And I would take Kirilloff over Kepler right now; would not have for the first 2 - 21/2 months, but I would now.  Otherwise, you are dead on.    

Arraez is hitting 0.400 with RISP. There is someone more “trusted” than that?

I don't count on Kepler at all.  

How you could put Correa ahead of Arraez is strange.  Arraez should be 1 then maybe Correa 2.  Buxton at 3 is too high.  He hits home runs like 22 at this point.  His RBI is low for that many Homer's.  But his part time status and his .227 average moves him down the list.

7 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

How you could put Correa ahead of Arraez is strange.  Arraez should be 1 then maybe Correa 2.  Buxton at 3 is too high.  He hits home runs like 22 at this point.  His RBI is low for that many Homer's.  But his part time status and his .227 average moves him down the list.

Game is tied 2-2 in the 8th or 9th with two outs and nobody on.  Who do you want to take the AB instead of Buxton?  Runner in scoring position, I would take Arraez / Correa or Kirilloff but the scenarios in which we are looking to trust someone are not all the same.

Where does Miranda rank now?  Like all the other posters I want Arraez first. Buxton does belong here. It's hard for me to rank 4 or 5. 

Arraez, Correa, Polanco, Buxton, Kiriloff.  Like most on this post feel, this order is to get a key hit under pressure.  If a HR is needed, Buck moves up the list obviously.

Kirilloff needs to be in the top 5. He gains confidence every at bat. Once he learns to lay off the off speed pitches down and in, he’s going to take off. 

13 minutes ago, dukie034 said:

Kirilloff needs to be in the top 5. He gains confidence every at bat. Once he learns to lay off the off speed pitches down and in, he’s going to take off. 

He has major trouble with lefties, so not gonna happen.

meaningless to show buxton over 162 game set of numbers, as that is about 2 years worth of baseball from injury prone years.  Now if he had a Trout type of year playing 150+, then that would warrant listing those numbers.  Buxton maybe at 5 on this list nothing higher. I could be wrong but I don't think he has one hit as a PH this year, not the end all measure but it does reflect trust or being clutch.  

The word trust is a misnomer, expectations is what players try to perform up to, for coaches and fans.

No way I'd have Kepler in the top 5, Urshela or Kiriloff get that spot for me. Buxton at 3 is probably accurate, Correa is easy to put #1 based on his career

Agree with the top five although I love how Kirilloff, Miranda, and Urshela are contributing. I would put the order a bit different: Arraez, Polanco, Correa, Buxton, and Kepler. Sanchez and Jeffers can do damage from time to time and everyone has to be pretty pleased with the contributions of Celestino, Gordon, and Garlick.