MinnesotaSportsFan

5 Minnesota Twins Hitters We Trust Most in the Clutch

By Ted Schwerzler,

22 hours ago

The Minnesota Twins lineup has been among the bright spots this summer, for manager Rocco Baldelli. As the Twins begin their September stretch run, and the postseason draws near , the moments are about to get a whole lot bigger.

Hitting in the clutch is more than just performing with the sacks packed though. If the Twins need the job done in any spot, this is who they should want up. It’s the time of year where baseball legends are made. So… who’s going to rise to the occasion?

5. Brooks Lee

This is probably putting a lot on a young player. Brooks Lee has just 118 plate appearances to his credit at the big league level. He also hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire since his promotion.

That said, the bat-to-ball skills are elite. The top prospect really doesn’t strike out, and his ability to make solid contact is much more than just putting the ball in play.

During the postseason it’s possible that Rocco Baldelli may shy away from one of his youngest players in a key spot. Still, he’s a switch hitter that probably remains in the lineup even once it gets healthy.

Honestly, this spot could have gone to a few players. I chose Lee, but mostly because of his successful college career, and love for big moments. Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach would have made sense, too.

Carlos Santana was also under consideration. But when I think about who I want up at the plate in a big September or October moment… my brain goes to the Cal Poly kid.

4. Byron Buxton

This season has been among the best of Byron Buxton’s career. He owns a 138 OPS+ and will play in more than 100 games for just the second time in his career. A recent hip injury has kept him on the injured list, but the plan is for him to return this week.

The Minnesota Twins’ center fielder owns a 1.063 OPS over his last 46 games . Without a doubt, they missed that production in the postseason last year. After being held to just one pinch hit appearance in last year’s playoffs, Buxton is champing at the bit for October baseball.

Buxton is a streaky hitter, and he’ll need to stay hot in order to contribute. Health will always be the primary concern, but if he can settle back in during the final month then no opposing pitchers will be spared.

3. Jose Miranda

No Twins hitter has had a better rebound in 2024 than Miranda. After dealing with a shoulder injury that cost his season last year, he has bounced back with a vengeance. Miranda was the talk of baseball when setting the consecutive hits record , but he has been so much more than that.

His .815 OPS is well north of the .759 mark that generated notoriety as a rookie. He has just nine home runs in 107 games, but the 27 doubles are where he has shown power production. The strikeout numbers are way down, and he has improved his defense enough to routinely remain in the starting lineup.

2. Royce Lewis

Of course Royce Lewis wasn’t going to keep hitting home runs in every at bat. He has shown an ability to remain incredibly consistent though . Health is always a concern here, but when he’s available, he’s producing. Lewis has yet to hit a grand slam this season, but it’s fine that he’s saving them for the postseason.

Of course Royce Lewis became Mr. Grand Slam last year, but a .612 OPS with the bases loaded, in 2024, isn’t exactly “clutch”. All that proves is that the law of averages is real.

Lewis loves the big stage and wants to be the guy in the box, with the game on the line. He hasn’t even played a full season of games in his career yet, and he’s already proven himself as the 2nd most trustworthy Twins hitter, in the clutch. His four home runs in six playoff games last year told us everything we needed to know.

The Twins appear intent on moving him around , in order to keep their best bats in the lineup. If he can settle in defensively, then the sky remains the limit.

1. Carlos Correa – Minnesota Twins most clutch hitter

At this point it’s fair to wonder whether Correa will ever return for the Minnesota Twins. A bout of plantar fasciitis has sidelined him for months and his shoes are a bigger problem than they should be.

Prior to the injury, he was named an All-Star and having a career year. Yes, he was dragged down by the same issue last season, but you don’t doubt this type of playoff performer. Across 85 playoff games, Correa has an .860 OPS and 18 homers.

He is one of the best postseason performers in major league history, and he has a World Series ring to show for it. The Twins need him to get healthy, enough, and get him back on the field. There aren’t many games left and wasting them without his presence isn’t a good thing.