4 players who helped turn around the Twins
Thanks to the biggest turnaround season in major-league history, the Minnesota Twins - who lost 103 games in 2016 - are heading to the postseason as the second wild-card team.
Minnesota set a spring-training goal to "prove everybody wrong," according to second baseman Brian Dozier, and then became the first club to ever make the postseason after losing 100 or more games the year prior.
The Twins didn't break through thanks to a big offseason addition or the return of their best player from injury. Instead, they can credit better performances from players they already employed.
Here are four players whose improved seasons helped lift the Twins out of last place and gave them a shot at October glory.
Eddie Rosario
| SEASON | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 92 | 335 | 90 | 10 | 32 | .716 | 0.9 |
| 2017 | 148 | 531 | 154 | 27 | 78 | .842 | 2.4 |
From part-time player to one of the team's best hitters, Rosario had a breakout campaign. He posted the highest OPS on the team among qualified hitters while more than doubling his home runs and RBIs from 2016. Rosario's presence in the lineup gave the Twins a dangerous middle-of-the-order threat, and he came up big while Miguel Sano was hurt.
Ervin Santana
| SEASON | GS | IP | W-L | OPP AVG | CG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 30 | 181.1 | 7-11 | .245 | 2 |
| 2017 | 32 | 206.1 | 16-8 | .225 | 5 |
When the Twins signed Santana to a four-year, $55-million contract before the 2015 season, they knew they were getting an innings eater - he'd already thrown 200-plus innings in five seasons - and potential staff ace. That didn't work out immediately, but the veteran right-hander's had a very solid year for Minnesota. He was pretty good for the Twins in 2016 too, and while this season's numbers are somewhat similar, his five complete games, reduced opponent's average, and wins total stand out.
Miguel Sano
| SEASON | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 116 | 437 | 103 | 25 | 66 | .781 | 1.3 |
| 2017 | 111 | 416 | 111 | 28 | 77 | .870 | 2.4 |
Imagine where the Twins would be if Sano had been in their lineup over the last month. The hulking Dominican was tearing the cover off the ball and on the way to the best season of his career before a shin injury sidelined him. Sano's recovery isn't progressing well, and although he took some swings Wednesday, he may not be ready to go in the wild-card game. That's a truly unfortunate absence for the Twins.
Byron Buxton
| SEASON | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | SB | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 92 | 298 | 67 | 10 | 38 | 10 | 1.7 |
| 2017 | 138 | 455 | 116 | 16 | 51 | 28 | 3.5 |
It's an exciting time to be a Twins fan, and not just because of the team's first playoff appearance since 2010. Byron Buxton, the second overall pick of the 2012 draft, is finally starting to show what he's capable of. He's one of the game's most exciting defensive players, has speed for days, and is demonstrating progress when it comes to hitting big-league pitching. His turnaround's a big reason why the Twins are where they are, and he's beginning to blossom into their franchise player.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)