What could the Minnesota Twins lineup look like in 2018?
9. C Jason Castro
Finally, Jason Castro rounds out the Twins lineup. Although he’s not known for his offensive game, he actually turned in a strong offensive showing in 2017. Overall, he had a .242 average along with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 110 games. As the eighth or ninth batter for a majority of the year, Castro also still managed to draw 45 walks, contributing to a solid .333 on-base percentage.
Unless something unforeseen happens, Castro is the starting catcher for this team. Furthermore, with a plethora of quality bats on the roster, it’d be shocking to see him bat anywhere but ninth. That being said, there are far worse batters Minnesota could have in the last spot of their lineup.
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As a whole, it’s safe to say the lineup could be full of returning faces. This isn’t to say the Twins won’t make a move for a position player, but it is to say that they already have a cast of starting caliber players.
Additionally, this lineup would only get better as the young players continue to develop and reach their potential. In other words, if they don’t add anyone new to the starting lineup, it shouldn’t be looked at as a disappointment like it would if the Twins weren’t to add a starting pitcher to the rotation.
If the Twins were to add someone to the lineup though, expect it to be a designated hitter. In all likelihood, it’d be a serviceable veteran hitter, who signs a short-term, incentive-laden deal. Someone like Jose Bautista or Mike Napoli may fit the bill, although Eduardo Escobar may still be more intriguing given he’s only 28 years old and coming off a career season. Nevertheless, the Twins should boast another potent lineup in 2018.
Next: 5 moves the Twins should make in the offseason!
With that, be sure to check back with Sporting Sota for a starting rotation prediction soon. One that should feature a couple new faces as Minnesota looks to address major needs on the pitching staff this offseason.