It’s not often that a player is capable of reaching an All-Star Game, earning a promotion, and becoming a top 100 prospect all while being injured. For the Minnesota Twins though, that’s exactly what Luke Keaschall accomplished in 2024.
Minnesota Twins prospect Luke Keaschall opens up about injury
This season, Luke Keaschall’s year got off to a slow start. But some additional time down in Fort Myers did him some good, and he was soon at Double-A Wichita. A second baseman by trade, Keaschall was curiously called upon to play quite a bit of designated hitter for the Wind Surge.
Where he played didn’t matter, when the bat was in his hands. Keaschall crushed minor league pitchers this summer . In 44 games with High-A Cedar Rapids, he posted an OPS north of 1.000.
At the All-Star Break, he replaced Brooks Lee in the Futures Game. In 102 games between Cedar Rapids and Wichita this season, Luke Keaschall was batting .303, with a .903 OPS. But last week, news broke that he had to undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his incredible season.
In a conversation I had with Keaschall following his surgery, the 2023 2nd round pick out of Arizona State told Minnesota Sports Fan that elbow pain isn’t a new phenomenon for him. “I always had minor elbow pain but never thought anything of it. I managed it and it seemed very minor in my opinion.”
Keaschall played through torn UCL all season
A slight flare up during spring training, while doing physical therapy for a wrist issue, prompted an MRI, which revealed a high-risk tear. A six week shutdown was the first plan of attack. Unfortunately, as he built back up and even as a designated hitter, a familiar burn and tightness presented itself.
Nonetheless, Keaschall got back on the field and played every day, until early May, when another MRI was conducted. It was then that Luke got the news, that his UCL had suffered a complete tear. He refused to shut things down, though. “I spoke with the medical staff, and we came to the conclusion that I would continue to play out the season until mid August.”
Keaschall wanted to make the most of what innings he had left, while still being ready to go for 2025. He felt supported in the communication received from staff, and he certainly made the most of his opportunity.
When can Luke Keaschall return for the Minnesota Twins?
The plan is for Keaschall to be ready for action next spring. Surgery was scheduled in early May, and successfully completed last week. There was never any ambiguity as to the plan of attack. That doesn’t mean the former Arizona State Sun Devil has had smooth sailing despite the results being so positive.
“Hitting with a torn ucl has its good and bad days”, Luke detailed, “the top hand is a huge component of my swing, and something I rely heavily on. This gave me the opportunity to learn how to use my body more efficiently, and not rely so heavily on my top hand work as I have in the past. When the game started this was not something that made me feel like I couldn’t compete at a high level. The majority of swings did not hurt and didn’t hold me back.”
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For a pitcher, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery is an entirely different animal. Despite the surgery now being performed routinely, it can be a long and arduous process.
Keaschall is in a different situation as a position player, and he is fortunate that the vast majority of his rehab will take place during the offseason. He got the most out of 2024 without jeopardizing the next, and individual work can take place without feeling the loneliness of working just out of the training room.
Keaschall will begin 2025 on multiple top-100 prospect lists, and already appeared on the national stage during the Futures Game. Although other organizations may have had interest in him at the trade deadline, he could become an option for the big league club by as soon as next season.
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A clean bill of health unlocking another level for the standout infielder would be impressive to see. Especially considering what he did in limited action during the 2024 campaign.
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