For the first time in his MLB career, Luke Keachall played the field on Saturday. The Twins moved him to right field in the final game of a 16-8 win over the Diamondbacks.
One appearance of a mop-up does not mean much. Matt Olson again Rhys Hoskins they were once again forced to enter the field in the middle of the game this season. However, Keachall’s appearance appears to be the beginning of Minnesota’s effort to increase his versatility. Manager Derek Shelton told reporters Wednesday that the second-year quarterback is likely to get more outfield work moving forward (via Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star-Tribune). He has been doing pregame workouts in the outfield and made four appearances in left field during Spring Training.
Keaschall pitched nearly 1000 innings in his MLB career. They were all in the second position next to one frame on the right side. Keachall was arrested as well Nasim Nunez with the MLB lead among second basemen with eight errors this year. While Nuñez has made up for the mistakes with excellent range, Keachall has not fared well in public metrics. Defensive Runs Saved gave him six runs below average, the fourth-worst mark in the area. You’re more than just Kansas City Nick Loftin in Outs above Average with a grade of -5.
The Twins are not moving Keachall to second, to be clear. It seems that they will sprinkle other foreign representatives in addition to his main job in a second. Still, the average defensive marks are consistent with his usual reputation as a first-rounder. He lived up to that as a rookie, hitting .302/.382/.445 in a first season limited to 49 games with a broken right arm. Keachall was not as productive in his second year. He is hitting .249/.331/.325 with two homers over 302 trips to the plate. It’s still very difficult to strike but he wasn’t hitting it with authority.
Keaschall has started 72 of Minnesota’s 82 games in the key position. The other 10 starters are scattered throughout Orlando Arcia, Tristan Grey, Is Clemens again Royce Lewis. The last three players remain on the MLB roster. The Twins used Lewis primarily at first and Clemens in right field. Gray, who has been passed over as the starting shortstop Ryan Kreidlerstarted at second base against it Shohei Ohtani in Wednesday’s series finale with the Dodgers.
Clemens and Trevor Larnach they have turned their backs Byron Buxton in an outdoor area for many days. Larnach and Clemens hit left. Austin Martinon the right hand as part of the right hand, it has been cold since the beautiful April. Keaschall is already listed at second base against left-handed starters but could be an option to pinch hit and stay in the field against a left-handed reliever.
Larnach and Clemens could come up in trade talks again if the Twins fall a few games back in the playoff picture. General manager Jeremy Zoll has already announced that Buxton is off the table, but Larnach stands as an obvious trade candidate if Minnesota does sell.
