Ryan Jeffers and Matt Wallner Earn Well-Deserved Recognition on MLB’s 2026 All-Underrated Team
In a league where stars often steal the spotlight, it’s refreshing - and well deserved - when the glue guys get their due. MLB.com’s 2026 All-Underrated Team gave a nod to two of the Minnesota Twins’ most quietly impactful contributors: catcher Ryan Jeffers and right fielder Matt Wallner. Neither player is a household name, but both bring real value to a Twins roster that continues to stay competitive thanks in part to guys like these.
Ryan Jeffers: Steady Behind the Plate, Sneaky Effective at the Plate
Jeffers isn’t the flashiest name on the Twins’ roster, but he’s been quietly consistent - and that matters a lot at catcher, a position where offensive production is often a bonus rather than an expectation. While his home run numbers dipped a bit in 2025, Jeffers still posted an OPS+ north of 100 for the third straight year. That’s a strong indicator that he’s been an above-average hitter - not just for a catcher, but overall.
His .356 on-base percentage stands out, especially in a league where OBP is increasingly king. Jeffers doesn’t chase much, and his walk rate continues to be one of his best offensive tools.
He’s not going to slug his way to the All-Star Game, but as a steady presence in the lineup and behind the dish, he’s giving the Twins more than enough to justify his everyday role. Over the past three seasons, he’s racked up a 6.5 bWAR - a number that speaks to his all-around contributions and reliability.
In short, Jeffers is the kind of player every contending team needs: dependable, intelligent, and quietly productive.
Matt Wallner: Power, Patience, and a Cannon in Right Field
Then there’s Matt Wallner - a player who doesn’t do subtle. When Wallner connects, the ball stays hit.
He launched 22 home runs and racked up 41 extra-base hits in just 104 games last season. That’s serious pop in a limited sample size, and it’s part of what makes him such an intriguing piece of the Twins’ lineup.
Yes, the strikeouts are part of the package - and they come in bunches - but Wallner’s approach isn’t without nuance. He also worked 46 walks last season, showing he’s not just swinging out of his shoes every time up.
It’s a classic two-outcome profile: walks and power. And when the power shows up, it can flip a game in a hurry.
Just ask the fans at Rogers Centre who watched him unload a go-ahead three-run blast in the ninth inning last August - a moment that captured exactly what Wallner can bring when he’s locked in.
Defensively, Wallner adds value too. He’s got a cannon for an arm in right field, and that translated to three outfield assists in 2025.
He’s not a Gold Glover, but he doesn’t need to be. His arm alone makes runners think twice, and that’s a weapon in its own right.
Wallner might not be the face of the franchise - he’s not Buxton, Lewis, or Keaschall - but he doesn’t need to be. He’s carving out a role that fits him and helps the team win.
That’s what makes his inclusion on the All-Underrated Team so fitting. He’s not trying to be a star.
He’s just trying to do damage when he gets his pitch and play solid defense in the corner outfield. And for the Twins, that’s more than enough.
Recognition That Reflects Real Impact
For Minnesota, having both Jeffers and Wallner on MLB.com’s All-Underrated list is a testament to the depth and versatility of this roster. These aren’t guys who’ll dominate the headlines, but they’re the kind of players who show up every day and help you win ballgames - whether it’s with a timely walk, a big swing, or a laser throw from the outfield.
Their recognition isn’t just a feel-good moment - it’s a reminder that winning teams are built not just on stars, but on the players who do the little things right, stay consistent, and show up when it matters. Jeffers and Wallner are doing just that.