Twins 2022 Position Analysis: Shortstop

Projected Starter: Carlos Correa
Likely Backup: Jorge Polanco
Depth: Gio Urshela, Nick Gordon
Prospects: Royce Lewis, Noah Miller

THE GOOD

Carlos Correa is an MVP-caliber stud in his prime and one of the best shortstops in baseball. Since debuting for the Astros at age 20 in 2015, he ranks third at the position in fWAR, with his 25.1 trailing only Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts. 

Correa is a former Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star who last year finished fifth in AL MVP voting, thanks to a .279/.366/.485 slash line to go along with 26 home runs, 92 RBIs, and 104 runs scored. He was the best player on a 95-win Astros team, and then added to his extensive postseason résumé by helping propel Houston to another World Series berth. At age 27, the former first overall draft pick has already appeared in 79 playoff games, with a customary .272/.344/.505 slash line.

He's the real deal: a two-way phenom who is legitimately elite on both offense and defense. Correa's work in the field was so impressive last year that he not only earned his first Gold Glove at shortstop, but was awarded a Platinum Glove as the best overall defender in the American League.

Assuming he's healthy and on top of his game, Correa will give the Twins a boost at short like they've never had before. He brings the defensive chops of Andrelton Simmons combined with the bat of a healthy and thriving Jorge Polanco. It's the best of both worlds. 

The only question is how long it will last. (And the answer is: probably not very.)

THE BAD

The Twins' problem, before acquiring Correa, was not that they lacked a starting shortstop. It was more that they lacked ANY shortstops, throughout the entire system basically. What once looked like an abundance of depth at the position evaporated over the years, as prospects switched positions or fizzled out. 

This issue will rear its head again quickly if Correa goes down for any period of time. Presumably one of Polanco or Gio Urshela would slide over – each started a couple-dozen games at short last year. 

I'd be interested to know which backup ranks ahead in preference. Urshela has much less overall experience at the position, but the Twins seem motivated to keep Polanco off short if they can help it. Utilityman Nick Gordon is an option to plug in, with the least disruption to the starting lineup, but I can't envision a scenario where Rocco Baldelli uses him there regularly over an extended period of time.

Backup talk aside, the biggest question at shortstop is beyond this year, due to the nature of Correa's contract. Barring something unforeseen, he'll opt out and return to free agency for a $300 million payday following the 2022 season. 

That wouldn't exactly bring the Twins back to square one, since they'll have a bunch of new spending flexibility and another year's worth of intel on their own prospects. One of those prospects in particular seems to hold the key to the future of the positon at this point.

No one really seems to believe Austin Martin will be a regular shortstop in the big leagues, but that possibility remains in play for Royce Lewis. Drafted first overall, five years after Correa, Lewis has played short almost exclusively in the minors, and that's where the Twins have been using him this spring. 

In the highlight below, we see both the natural ability that keeps Lewis in the SS conversation, as well as the rusty form and footwork of a player who's basically been sidelined for two straight years.

The Twins need to get a good long look at Lewis and assess where he's at. The presence of Correa this year will enable them to do just that, with Lewis billed for Triple-A. 

If he doesn't convince them he can stick, and Correa opts out after this season ... well, then the Twins pretty much are back to square one. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

I would say the Twins addressed their shortstop vacancy in the most impactful way imaginable, except ... it was unimaginable. The #1 free agent in a loaded class, Correa seemed completely out of their reach. Yet various circumstances – the lockout, the Josh Donaldson trade, and Correa's agent switch – came together and created an opportunity. Derek Falvey and Thad Levine jumped on it.

On both sides of the ball, Correa is capable of bringing a level of play at shortstop most Twins fans have never seen before. Strap in and enjoy the ride while it lasts. We can worry later about what comes next. 

Catch Up on the Rest of Our 2022 Previews:

• Position Analysis: Catcher
• Position Analysis: First Base
• Position Analysis: Second Base
• Position Analysis: Third Base

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