Kelly: That was a wild ride in the AL West on the final day of the regular season. One minute the Rangers are pushing for a playoff spot, and the next? They’re eliminated by that same Minnesota Twins squad that finished 77-85. But here’s the twist: while the standings say one thing, the future says another. We’ve got Walker Jenkins lighting it up, Brooks Lee taking over at third, and a bullpen that’s... well, let’s just say it’s a work in progress.
Gary: It’s a fascinating paradox, Kelly. You look at the record—second place in the AL Central but barely clinging to relevance—and then you look at the depth chart. The young core is emerging exactly as we predicted back in October. And now, with the new Automated Ball-Strike system fully integrated into the league’s DNA, there are so many questions about how those rookies adapt to the robot umpire's strike zone.
Kelly: Exactly. Today is our annual mailbag finale. We’re diving into your emails. We’re talking about whether Josh Bell can stick as a DH long-term, if Connor Prielipp actually earned that rotation spot we talked about last week, and how the Twins’ catching situation with Victor Caratini and Ryan Jeffers looks heading into free agency. Let’s get into it.
Gary: We’ve got three segments today. First, we tackle the big storylines from the final week, including that heartbreaking loss to Texas and the subsequent win that knocked them out. Second, we break down the roster battles, specifically the infield and the bullpen arms like Garrett Acton and Taylor Rogers. And third? A fun hypothetical about what happens if Walker Jenkins gets called up full-time next spring. Let’s open the mail.
Kelly: Alright, first question comes from Sarah in Minneapolis. She asks: 'The Twins ended the season beating the Rangers, who were fighting for their lives. How does that victory feel knowing it effectively ended Dallas’s season, especially after they beat us earlier?' It’s a bit of karma, isn't it?
Gary: It is ironic. Remember, just days before, the Rangers had pushed the AL West race to the final day with a rain-delayed win over Minnesota. Then, on Sunday, Dean Kremer pitched seven strong innings of one-run ball, and Josh Bell went yard with three RBIs. That 6-4 win didn’t just boost the Twins’ morale; it dashed the Rangers' hopes. From a tactical standpoint, it showed that when the young guys step up, they can compete with anyone.
Kelly: But wait, Gary, don’t forget the flip side. Before that win, the Twins had lost 10-2 to the Rangers, where Jacob deGrom matched a career high by allowing eight earned runs. So it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Did that 10-2 loss hurt the team more than the win helped?
Gary: In terms of the standings, no. The Twins weren’t in contention anyway. But psychologically? Absolutely. Losing 10-2 to a rival, especially when they’re fighting for survival, stings. However, looking at the broader picture, this 77-85 season was about development. The fact that they could bounce back and close out the Rangers suggests resilience. Plus, Josh Bell’s performance against them proves he has value as a power bat off the bench or as a platoon option.
Kelly: Speaking of Josh Bell, here’s a question from '@TwinsFan94': 'Is Josh Bell the answer at DH, or should the Twins look elsewhere? He hit well against Texas, but is he a long-term solution?' I know we’ve discussed his contract situation before.
Gary: Bell provided a spark. His ability to drive the ball, as seen in that series against Texas, is real. But relying solely on him for DH duties might be limiting. With Aaron Sabato also on the roster, the Twins have options. Bell is great for specific matchups, but for a full-time role, we need to see if he can maintain consistency against left-handed pitching. Right now, he’s a valuable piece, but maybe not the cornerstone of the lineup.
Kelly: Got it. Next up, Marcus in St. Paul asks about the ABS system. 'With robot umpires overturning 54% of challenged calls this year, how do you think the Twins' young hitters like Walker Jenkins and Brooks Lee are adapting to the new strike zone compared to human umpires?' This feels huge for player development.
Gary: This is critical. The ABS system rewards precision. Human umpires have a margin of error; the robots do not. For a hitter like Brooks Lee, who relies on plate discipline, this is both a blessing and a curse. He needs to be perfect. If he chases a borderline pitch, it’s gone. For Walker Jenkins, whose swing is aggressive, he might struggle initially with the tighter zone. But given their youth, they’re likely more adaptable than veterans who are set in their ways. The data shows catchers are far more successful than batters in challenges, which means hitters need to be smarter about what they swing at.
Kelly: So, patience is key. You can’t just hack away anymore. You have to trust the zone. That changes the entire approach at the plate. Alright, let’s move to Segment Two. We’re talking roster battles. Emily from Rochester wants to know: 'What does the infield look like next year? Is Kody Clemens still the second baseman, or is Luke Keaschall ready to take over?'
Gary: Clemens has been a staple, but Keaschall has shown flashes. If the Twins want to build for the future, Keaschall might need playing time. However, defensively, Clemens offers experience. It’s a tough call. I’d expect them to start Keaschall in AAA to give him consistent at-bats, keeping Clemens as the primary guy unless Keaschall dominates. The competition will happen in spring training.
Kelly: And what about shortstop? We have Ryan Kreidler, Tristan Gray, and Ben Ross all vying for spots alongside Brooks Lee at third. Who wins the job?
Gary: Kreidler is the favorite right now due to his defensive reliability and offensive potential. Gray is a speedster, which fits the Twins’ style, but he needs to cut down on strikeouts. Ross provides versatility. My guess? Kreidler starts, but if Gray’s speed translates to stolen bases and baserunning efficiency, he could steal playing time. It’s a crowded logjam, which is a good problem to have.
Kelly: One more for this segment. David in Duluth asks: 'With Taylor Rogers and Jeff Hoffman in the bullpen, is the closer role settled? Or are we looking at a committee?'
Gary: Right now, it’s fluid. Rogers brings veteran leadership, but Hoffman has been electric when healthy. With A.J. Minter and Eric Orze also in the mix, the manager might use a committee based on matchups. If Rogers struggles with velocity, Hoffman could take over. It’s not settled until September rolls around. For now, keep an eye on Yoendrys Gomez too—he’s been a dark horse candidate.
Kelly: Before we get to our support appeal, let’s recap. We talked about the Twins' final win over the Rangers, Josh Bell’s impact, the ABS system’s effect on rookies, and the infield/logjam battles. Big stuff. Now, a quick note. If you love these daily deep dives, please subscribe, rate, and review us. It helps more fans find the show. Share it with a friend who bleeds North Star Blue.
Gary: And remember, our prediction stands: The Twins make the playoffs in 2027. Health returns, young players develop, and that core becomes formidable. See you tomorrow.