Carlos Santana should be in the conversation to win a Gold Glove this year for the Minnesota Twins. Outside of the first baseman’s presence though, the Twins don’t have front-running candidate for yearly awards. Their leader and a rookie are worthy of consideration though.
Simeon Woods Richardson should get ROY votes for Minnesota Twins
We are quickly careening towards the culmination of the 2024 Major League Baseball regular season. Simeon Woods Richardson has stepped up for the Minnesota Twins all season. He went from not making the Opening Day roster to being one of it’s most consistent members . The rookie should get down-ballot votes for Rookie of the Year and ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle agrees .
Doolittle has Woods Richardson in sixth. The Yankees Austin Wells is first, trailed by Red Sox Wilyer Abreu, New York’s Luis Gil, Cade Smith from Cleveland, and Mason Miller from Oakland. Gil was acquired by the Yankees from Minnesota in the Jake Cave trade. Baltimore’s Colton Cowser is the current betting favorite.
It’s unlikely the Woods Richardson finishes among the top three. He has been trending down for some time now, but that doesn’t negate his strong season. A 3.95 ERA across 24 starts is a good launching point for his career. Velocity has jumped up considerably, and he looks like a usable arm going forward.
Related: Something is Wrong with Simeon Woods Richardson
The Twins haven’t had a Rookie of the Year winner since Marty Cordova. It seems they will wait yet another year this time around.
Rocco Baldelli notable for Twins as well
The season has been beyond frustrating at time for the Minnesota Twins. That also may be why it could be argued as Rocco Baldelli’s best managing effort yet. He has been hit with injuries to Joe Ryan , Carlos Correa , and Byron Buxton . There has been significant stretches of ineffectiveness from some of his best players. All that is true and yet the Twins should make the postseason.
Doolittle has Baldelli coming in fourth for Manager of the Year recognition. Leading candidate Matt Quatraro has done a great job with the Kansas City Royals turnaround. Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt has done tremendously in his first year, and Mark Kotsay has kept the Athletics from falling apart.
It’s arguable that the Woonsocket Rocket has had a tougher job to do this season than when he won the award in 2019. The ball isn’t simply flying out of the park at every sneeze of a swing anymore. If the Royals turnaround hadn’t been so astounding, a 90+-win Twins team through their adversity would generate more credit.
Related: Some Twins Fans Should Seek Therapy for Their Unwarranted Rocco Baldelli Hatred
No matter what, it’s clear that Baldelli has gotten more out of his club this season.
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