Joe Ryan’s All-Star nod came with the usual gratitude, but this one had a clear theme. The Twins right-hander kept coming back to the people behind him in the lineup, the group that has turned Minnesota’s offense into one of the most productive in the American League.
“It’s something we’ve kind of been lacking in years past,” Ryan said. “It’s been a fun environment to come into the clubhouse every day and just watch the games knowing they are going to do something special and put up north of four runs it seems every night.”
That kind of run support has helped shape the Twins’ first half. They reached the All-Star break at 48-49, three games behind in the AL Central, and their bats have done a lot of the heavy lifting. Minnesota ranks sixth in the majors with 471 runs and leads every AL club.
The biggest surprise is how they’ve done it while taking hits to the roster and waiting on some key names to come around. Ryan Jeffers was out nearly two months after breaking the hamate in his left wrist.
The team sent Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis to the minors. Luke Keaschall and Josh Bell needed a couple of months before finding their rhythm.
Under Keith Beauregard, the Twins’ third hitting coach in three seasons, the group has been especially dangerous with runners in scoring position. No team has been better in those spots, as Minnesota has hit .286 with an .819 OPS. The club has also already piled up 146 plate appearances with the bases loaded, which is 12 more than it had during the entire 2025 season.
Derek Shelton said he didn’t know what this offense would look like when spring training opened, but he knows what it has become.
“Coming out of spring training, I did not know what the identity of our offense was going to be,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “But the identity of our offense is they grind through every single at-bat.”
A big part of that identity has been giving players the chance to settle in. Trevor Larnach has thrived near the top of the order with a .379 on-base percentage.
Kody Clemens has backed up last year’s power surge with 16 homers. Ryan Kreidler has more hits this season than he had in the previous four years combined.
Brooks Lee has also been steady, starting to carve out his place as a major leaguer.
In Other News...
Twins May Be Getting Even More From That Deadline Deal
The deadline swap that sent Griffin Jax out of Minnesota and brought Taj Bradley into the rotation has already given the Twins the kind of immediate return front offices dream about. Bradley has stepped in as a key starter and given the club stability on the mound, while Jax has found a new lane with Tampa Bay by moving into a starting role of his own after struggling in relief.
There may be another layer to that deal for the Twins, too, because Andrew Morris has started to look like more than just a depth arm. He has settled into a bullpen role and has shown real improvement, including a scoreless run heading into the All-Star break, and his recent outing against the Angels hinted at a higher ceiling. If Minnesota can keep getting that kind of growth from the back end, the trade may end up paying off in more ways than one. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Fans Have A New Reason To Believe In Their Top Pick
ESPNs latest update to the Twins prospect board gave Vahn Lackey another jolt of national attention, and it is easy to see why Minnesota is already excited about the catcher it took with the third overall pick in the MLB Draft. Lackey backed up the selection with a strong final collegiate season, flashing the kind of offensive production and defensive polish that made him one of the most intriguing players in the class.
For the Twins, the appeal goes beyond the usual draft-day optimism. Lackey has been described as a rare catcher with five-tool upside, and his athleticism gives him a chance to develop into more than just a bat-first prospect. If the tools keep translating the way they have so far, Minnesota may have a real answer behind the plate for years to come. [Read more 🡒]
Byron Buxton Just Sent A Strong Message About Twins Trade Rumors
Byron Buxton has become one of the more intriguing names to watch as the trade market starts to take shape, and not just because of what he has done when healthy. The Twins center fielder is in the middle of a strong season, but he is also dealing with a right hip ailment that has him on the injured list, which only adds another layer to the conversation around his future.
Even so, Minnesota does not appear eager to entertain the idea of moving him, and Buxtons own contract gives him a major say in the matter. With his name floating around as a potential fit for contenders, the Twins still have every reason to treat him as a core piece rather than a chip, and the latest buzz only underscores how complicated any serious pursuit would be. [Read more 🡒]