Latest news with #Keaschall
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Top fantasy baseball prospects: JJ Wetherholt crushing Triple-A pitching, Robby Snelling impressing
A reminder: This is ONLY players who have Rookie of the Year MLB eligibility, and ONLY a look at potential help for 2025. That out of the way, here's a look at the top prospects who can help your fantasy roster this season. 1. JJ Wetherholt, INF, St. Louis Cardinals 2025 stats: 73 G, .306/.421/.513, 11 HR, 14 SB, 48 BB, 48 SO at Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis. If I listed every reason for this it would make this a 6,000 word article and absolutely no one wants that, but I'll just get this out of the way: This is the least confident I've ever been in a list this late into the year. I have no idea whether Wetherhold (see what I did there?) is going to make his debut in 2025, but it's not just about proximity, folks. Wetherholt's talent is exceptional, and the fact that he's slugged four homers with a .762 OPS since being promoted to Triple-A didn't hurt his case for ascending to the top of this list, either. Wetherholt has played more shortstop than second base in Memphis, and the latter position is obviously covered right now for St. Louis. I still think his ability to hit for average, power and steal bases -- potentially, anyway -- makes him the prospect I'd roster right now. 2. Luke Keaschall, INF/OF, Minnesota Twins 2025 stats: 22 G, .244/.358/.295, 1 HR, 8 SB, 14 BB, 17 SO at Triple-A St. Paul; 7 G, .368/.538/.526, 0 HR, 5 SB, 5 BB, 2 SO at Minnesota. You would be forgiven if you forgot about Keaschall, but now's a good time to, well, stop forgetting. The 22-year-old missed nearly three months while dealing with a fractured right forearm, but he's returned to action and shown off his impressive speed and approach. The power is the question mark with Keaschall, but he can put the ball into the gaps and can turn on enough fastballs to suggest he won't be just a dink-and-dunk hitter. Keaschall should rejoin the Twins in the coming weeks, and fantasy managers could do worse than to give the right-handed hitter a shot once that takes place. 3. Jordan Lawlar, INF, Arizona Diamondbacks 2025 stats: 53 G, .319/.410/.583, 10 HR, 18 SB, 30 BB, 60 SO at Triple-A Reno; 8 G, .000/.136/.000, 0 HR, 0 SB, 3 BB, 9 SO at Arizona. Ranking Lawlar is kinda impossible right now, but I'll do it anyway. The case against him is pretty simple; he's out with a hamstring injury and there's no word as to when he'll be able to return. The case for him is those stats you see above -- the minor league ones, not the small-sampled struggles in a brief cup of coffee -- and the fact that Arizona is very much in sell mode/should want to see Lawlar playing everyday. So it goes like this: If the Diamondbacks recall Lawlar, add him; he's the type of player who can contribute in every fantasy category. But don't be surprised if they take it easy and have their top prospect make his debut as a full-time starter in 2026. 4. Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Baltimore Orioles 2025 stats: 64 G, .280/.394/.615, 120 HR, 0 SB, 40 BB, 57 SO at Triple-A Norfolk. If I absolutely knew that Basallo was going to be up in the coming weeks, he'd be the top prospects on this list. He should be up already, as he's scorching hot with a .350/.413/..775 slash over his last 10 games that was buoyed by a 5-for-5 effort with a homer against Lehigh Valley on Friday. Basallo has some of the best power in the minors right now, and the approach at the plate keeps getting better to suggest he'll get on at a solid clip with a decent average to go with it. There's just no guarantee that Baltimore is going to bring him up, so fantasy managers need to play the wait-and-see game. Unless you play in a league with two catchers. I'd probably roster him now in that case. 5. Spencer Jones, OF, New York Yankees 2025 stats: 68 G, .314/.411/.706, 29 HR, 16 SB, 42 BB, 94 SO at Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. I want you to look at that number of games played and that number of homers closely, because it still feel like that's not possible. Jones homered three times for the RailRiders on Thursday, but has been out of the lineup since because of back spasms. Obviously that injury is a potential concern, but with potential concern comes a 6-foot-7 left-handed hitter who has homered 13 times in 19 games since being promoted to Triple-A. Yes he strikes out a ton. Yes there'll likely be an adjustment period when he gets a chance to face MLB pitching. But yes, I am still rostering him if the Yankees promote him because of the potential power production. 6. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates 2025 stats: 20 G, 82.2 IP, 3.27 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 41 BB, 104 SO at Triple-A Indianapolis. I feel like this late in the year we have to have a pitcher on the list, and the fact of the matter is that Chandler -- with all due respect to Andrew Painter and a few other names -- is the best pitching prospects in Triple-A right now. So, I'm adding a spot for him. He's also been pitching well after a bit of a funk in the middle of the summer, and he fired back-to-back shutouts over six innings to begin July with a 5 2/3 inning effort of two-run baseball with seven strikeouts in his most recent outing. The Pirates are just as likely to shut down Chandler as they are to promote him, but if he gets a chance in the majors, his swing-and-miss stuff and ability to throw four pitches for strikes makes him relevant. Around the minors: There's a lot of debate as to who the best prospect in baseball is, but right now, I would argue that the best fantasy prospect in the sport is Jesús Made. Made has been solid with the bat all year, but particularly as of late with a .306 average and .836 OPS over his last 10 games. Even as a player that turned 18 in May, the switch-hitting shortstop has shown off four plus tools, and three of those are relevant to fantasy in his hit, power and speed. There's some question as to whether he'll need to move off shortstop, but the Brew Crew have a few years to find out exactly where he profiles best. If he sticks at short he has a chance to be a fantasy superstar, but if he moved to the outfield, second or third base he's still the player I'd want the most in any eligible format. The Marlins have been a pleasant surprise in 2025 -- if only because the expectations were so incredibly low -- and they also have seen Robby Snelling develop into one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in baseball. Since being promoted to Triple-A in July, Snelling has forged an ERA of 2.30 over his three starts with a 15/4 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 innings with the Jumbo Shrimp. Eleven of those punchouts came in his start Saturday against Triple-A Durham, and he's shown the ability to miss bats with three pitches while throwing them for strikes on a consistent enough basis to suggest good things. He could make his MLB debut in 2025, but even if he doesn't he's a name to keep a close eye on for 2026. We talked about Jones and his impressive power display, but there's another slugger who has been bashing the ball over the fence in Triple-A as of late, and it's Mariners' first base prospect Tyler Locklear. Locklear has homered six times in his last 10 games, and in that timeframe he's slashing a robust .417/.511/.972 for Tacoma. The 2022 second-round pick really struggled in his short time with the Mariners last year, but he's a player with well above-average power and the ball jumps off his bat when he makes contact. Seattle isn't likely to give him a chance in 2025 after the trade for Josh Naylor, but he does have the skill set to be a middle-of-the-order hitter in the coming seasons. If he were to be traded before the deadline, he'd be worthy of consideration; assuming he gets promoted after that transaction, of course.
New York Times
06-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Twins mailbag: Royce Lewis options, All-Star cases and the Jorge Alcala dilemma
My last mailbag column was written two days before the Minnesota Twins started a 13-game winning streak, so the vibes have shifted considerably. At the time, the Twins were playing a nightmarish series in Cleveland, with a 13-17 record that soon became 13-20. Since then, the Twins have an MLB-best 21-8 record, turning their season around so much, so quickly that they would be hosting a first-round series if the playoffs started now. Advertisement Of course, the playoffs don't start now. There are still 100 games to play and nothing figures to come easy for the Twins, who are expected to be without No. 1 starter Pablo López for eight to 12 weeks because of a shoulder injury. It's a big blow to a starting rotation that has been the team's biggest strength. Let's open the mailbag and see what's on your minds about a second-place team that currently holds the American League's top wild-card spot. Note: Submitted questions have been edited for clarity and length. Will the Twins consider sending Royce Lewis down to the minors? Is that something they could even do? — Jack K. To answer your second question first: Lewis has two minor-league options remaining and has accrued less than five years of MLB service time, so the Twins could send him down if they choose. As for whether they'd actually take that drastic route? Maybe. I wrote a lengthy story Friday detailing Lewis' prolonged struggles, so I won't rehash all of it. But for most 26-year-olds, batting .174 over 65 games spanning two seasons leads to a Triple-A demotion. The Twins have already moved Lewis to the bottom of the lineup and pinch hit for him. What else is left? There's perhaps an argument to be made that Lewis isn't a typical 26-year-old, but the Twins have sent down other prominent players in recent years, including Miguel Sanó, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, Edouard Julien and Jose Miranda. Heck, last year they demoted Matt Wallner after 25 at-bats. It's a last resort, certainly, and one Lewis and the Twins would like to avoid if at all possible. But he needs to improve soon because the current situation is hurting the Twins' inconsistent lineup, and it's getting harder and harder to see how it's doing Lewis any favors. Another factor is Triple-A St. Paul's lack of appealing call-up choices. Luke Keaschall, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Austin Martin are hurt. Miranda and Julien have struggled since their April demotions. And the Saints' highest OPS marks belong to Carson McCusker and Mickey Gasper. But big picture, identifying the correct path for getting Lewis back on track is a lot more important than who would replace him on the roster. For now, at least, it looks like the Twins will let him try to hit his way out of it. When Royce smiles, we smile! — Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 4, 2025 Assuming no more injuries, where does Keaschall fit when he comes off the injured list at the end of the month? — Kent M. While Keaschall is eligible to come off the 60-day IL on June 25, that doesn't mean he'll be ready to return then. That's just the earliest it can happen, and he's recovering from a broken right forearm suffered on April 25. I suspect June 25 would be optimistic. Part of what makes Keaschall so intriguing is the flexibility to capably play second base, first base and all three outfield spots, so finding a fit should be easy if he's healthy and hitting. Plus, having covered the Twins for two decades, 'assuming no more injuries' is like asking about the Easter Bunny. Advertisement What happened to Walker Jenkins' ankle? — Anthony P. Jenkins resumed playing earlier this week, starting a rehab assignment in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. Barring any setbacks, he should be rejoining the Double-A Wichita lineup soon. Injuries have been an issue for the 2023 first-round pick, but he's still just 20 years old. In other top-100 prospect health news, Rodriguez was placed on the Triple-A injured IL with a strained right hip and is expected to be out two to four weeks. Rodriguez hit .232/.400/.392 in 39 games for the Saints, including a strong May, but he's missed substantial time with injuries in four straight years. It feels like the Twins' defense overall — not just Byron Buxton, Harrison Bader and Carlos Correa — has improved this year. Do the numbers bear that out? — Andrew S. Yes, although it's largely due to Buxton and Correa being healthier than last season and the offseason addition of Bader, who has been fantastic on both sides of the ball. Last season, the Twins ranked 16th in Outs Above Average (+1) and 25th in Defensive Runs Saved (-20), two of the most prominent defensive metrics. So far this year, the Twins rank 12th in Outs Above Average (+2) and 17th in Defensive Runs Saved (+7). That trio is doing the heavy lifting for the Twins' defense. Their three best OAA totals belong to Correa (+7), Bader (+5) and Buxton (+4). And their three best DRS totals belong to Bader (+10), Correa (+3) and Buxton (+2). Or, put another way: Aside from Bader, Buxton and Correa, the rest of the Twins' defense has totaled minus-14 OAA and minus-8 DRS. What a catch by Harrison Bader! 😳 — MLB (@MLB) April 27, 2025 Do you think the Twins will try to extend Ryan Jeffers this offseason? And what kind of contract could he get? — Jesse C. Possibly, although the uncertain ownership/payroll situation makes it even more speculative than usual to predict contract extensions. It would make sense, logically. Jeffers has a $4.55 million salary this season and is under team control for 2026 via arbitration, after which he'll be a free agent at age 30. Christian Vázquez is in the final season of a three-year, $30 million deal, so he'll be a free agent in November. Advertisement I could see the Twins being interested in a relatively short-term extension for Jeffers, perhaps covering 2026 and two additional free-agent years, but anything longer than that carries quite a bit of risk considering how poorly most catchers tend to age. Jeffers has hit .248/.331/.445 in three seasons paired with Vázquez, ranking eighth in OPS and 10th in bWAR among regular MLB catchers during that period. There are currently eight MLB catchers signed to contracts with an average annual value of at least $10 million. Vázquez is one of them and, ironically, the three-year, $30 million contract he signed with the Twins as a 32-year-old free agent could be a reasonable floor for a possible Jeffers extension. Buy out Jeffers' final arbitration year for around $10 million and then add two years at $12.5 million each? Jeffers would no doubt prefer a longer contract, and might just bet on being able to find it as a free agent, but a three-year, $35 million extension would place him among MLB's top 10 catchers for both total contract amount and average annual value. Good but not great catchers rarely cash in big. What can the Twins do with Jorge Alcala? — Paul D. Alcala, unlike Lewis, has more than five years of MLB service time, having surpassed that mark in April. That means he can't be sent down to the minors without his consent. If that weren't the case, he'd probably be in St. Paul right now, trying to get back on track with the Saints. Alcala had an outstanding first half last season, posting a 1.56 ERA in 34 2/3 innings, largely on the strength of allowing zero homers. But since Aug. 1 of last year, he has a 7.02 ERA and 11 homers allowed in 42 1/3 innings, with a handful of prominent implosions. When he's throwing strikes and keeping the ball in the ballpark, it's easy to look at Alcala's high-octane fastball-slider combo and envision him as a top setup man. But though he's had stretches of success, they've generally been short-lived due to injuries and/or ineffectiveness. Advertisement Alcala has been used almost exclusively in a mop-up role this season — his average leverage index is by far the lowest of the bullpen's eight most-used relievers — but as we saw last weekend against the Seattle Mariners, even that will occasionally require pitching in spots that matter. Every bullpen has an untrustworthy reliever or two, and Alcala has at least shown the upside to be a late-inning option. However, he's also 29 years old and under team control for just one more season before free agency, so the Twins need to weigh shrinking future upside versus present unreliability. J.P. Crawford just took a piece out of the scoreboard with this go-ahead home run 🤯 — MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2025 What is the long-term plan for the Twins at first base? — Will H. Lots of MLB teams, including the Twins, often lack a long-term plan at first base for the same reason there typically aren't many top-100 first base prospects: Good hitters wind up at first base after moving there from other positions that proved too challenging defensively. There are plenty of exceptions, of course, but first base is more commonly a destination than a starting point. In fact, the most-used Twins first basemen of the past 20 years — Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Sanó, Michael Cuddyer and Carlos Santana — all moved there from other positions. In terms of planning, it's also worth noting the Twins have had a different most-used first baseman in each of the last five seasons: 2025 — Ty France 2024 — Santana 2023 — Donovan Solano 2022 — Miranda 2021 — Sanó Miranda and Sanó slid over to first base from third base, where they were stretched defensively. And the Twins have signed an inexpensive veteran first baseman to a one-year contract in three straight offseasons, spending a grand total of just $8.25 million on France, Santana and Solano. Advertisement Despite the lack of a multi-year fit and very little spending on the position, Twins first basemen have been exactly average over that five-year period, producing a .747 OPS that ranks 15th out of 30 teams. Depending on your point of view, that's either good value or a missed opportunity for more. My assumption is the Twins will have a different most-used first baseman again in 2026. And probably another one in 2027, too. Will the Twins put Dick Bremer in their Hall of Fame? — Heather B. Yes, and I would assume within the next few years. Longtime announcers Herb Carneal (2001) and John Gordon (2016) are in the team Hall of Fame, so there's precedent for inducting Bremer after 40 years as the Twins' television voice. Their only issue will be choosing a different master of ceremonies for that class, because Bremer is usually the one doing those honors. In the meantime, the Twins named the home TV booth at Target Field after Bremer, with a plaque outside the door. What are the chances of the Twins getting more than one All-Star? — S.A. Pretty good, based on recent history. They've had multiple players chosen for each of the past five All-Star Games, including Correa and Willi Castro in 2025. On average during the last decade, the Twins have gotten exactly 2.0 players per All-Star Game. With the caveat that this season is barely two months old and the All-Stars are still more than a month away from being selected, the Twins have a lot of viable candidates in Buxton, Bader, Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, Bailey Ober, Castro and Jeffers. But a lot can change in a month. For instance, three days ago López would have been near the top of that All-Star candidates list. (Top photo of Royce Lewis: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
Newsweek
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
More Bad News For Injury-Riddled Twins as Rookie Sensation Breaks Arm
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The struggling Minnesota Twins were looking for some sort of a spark last week, after opening the season slowly. On April 18, they called up the No. 3 prospect in their system, MLB Pipeline's No. 57 overall, 22-year old Luke Keaschall. The infielder was enjoying a solid if not spectacular start to his Triple-A season for the St. Paul Saints, with a .727 OPS and a home run in 14 games as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery last summer. Luke Keaschall #15 of the Minnesota Twins looks on against the Chicago White Sox in the second inning at Target Field on April 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the White Sox 6-3.... Luke Keaschall #15 of the Minnesota Twins looks on against the Chicago White Sox in the second inning at Target Field on April 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the White Sox 6-3. MoreBut when Keaschall debuted for the major league club, he caught fire immediately, driving in a run with a base hit in his first big league at-bat, and then stealing second base. In seven games with Keaschall in the lineup, the Twins went 3-4, showing at least some signs of life. The 2023 second-round draft pick out of Arizona State kept up the momentum, stroking seven hits including two doubles while taking five walks in his first 26 trips to the plate for a stellar 1.065 OPS and .368 batting average. But in the first inning of what turned out to be an 11-4 win over the Los Angels Angels on Friday, Keaschall took an 87 mph sinker thrown by veteran righty Kyle Hendricks off of his right forearm. More MLB: Mets Reportedly May Push for $7 Million Closer From Division Rival Keaschal, who was serving as the Twins' designated hitter, took his base and stayed in the game. But the next time his turn in the order came up, manager Rocco Baldelli sent pinch hitter Mickey Gasper up in Keaschall's place. After the game, the Twins announced Keaschall had suffered a broken forearm. On Saturday, the club said the rookie had been placed on the 10-day injured list. He joins Twins 2017 first-round pick Royce Lewis, who has been on the IL since spring training, and 2024 All-Star Willi Castro, who strained his oblique muscle on Friday. The Twins characterized the injury as a "non-displaced fracture." No timeline was given for Keaschall's return. More MLB: Top Prospect Roman Anthony Homers Again in Minors as Red Sox Offense Struggles
New York Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Twins lose Luke Keaschall to fractured forearm, trade for Kody Clemens
MINNEAPOLIS — Unbelievable. In an unfortunate twist, another promising young Minnesota Twins player will be sidelined by injury after Luke Keaschall suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right forearm in Friday night's 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Target Field. There's no initial timeline for Keaschall to return, the team said, after he was hit with a pitch in the first inning and later removed from the game. But any lengthy absence counts as a blow to the offense-starved Twins, who got a huge spark from Keaschall after he tied a major-league record with five stolen bases in his first five games and reached base in 14 of 26 plate appearances. Advertisement 'Tough news,' Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. 'He's settling in really well here and doing a really nice job for us, and he'll be back. He'll get it right, and he'll be back. I have no doubt he'll be running around the bases again soon. But tough news there.' Already dealing with numerous injuries on the 40-man roster, the Twins acquired infielder Kody Clemens from the Philadelphia Phillies late Friday, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The son of Roger Clemens, Kody Clemens, who plays first base, third base and the outfield, was designated for assignment by Philadelphia on Wednesday. Buck took a visit to the upper DECK! — Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 26, 2025 Batting in the first inning, Keaschall was struck by Angels pitcher Kyle Hendricks with an 87 mph fastball flush on the forearm of his back arm. Keaschall, ranked by The Athletic as the No. 62 prospect in baseball in January, didn't react as if he were in pain until he put on a running sleeve upon arriving at first base. The team's designated hitter Friday, Keaschall remained in the game for the rest of the first inning but was pinch hit for by Mickey Gasper in the third inning. 'I was a little angry,' Keaschall said of learning the news. 'But I've got to try and think of the big picture. Think about getting healthy as fast as possible and think about just trying to get back as fast as possible. … I thought I was fine. Like, I kind of got hit. Was running the bases, and I'm like, 'It's just going to be a little sore; I'll be good.' And then it wasn't.' Keaschall has been a bright spot since joining the Twins last weekend in Atlanta. He singled and drove in a run in his first big-league at-bat on April 18 and stole second base later that inning before doubling in his next trip to the plate. Advertisement A day later, the 22-year-old doubled off reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale and continued to show no signs of difficulty adjusting to life in the big leagues. Keaschall injected life into the Twins in wins over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday, stealing two bases in each victory and reaching base five more times. He also walked and singled in a rain-shortened loss Thursday, extending his hitting streak to six games. '(Keaschall) has settled in very quickly,' Baldelli said Wednesday. 'It's almost like there was no settling; he just came in ready to play.' Young talents getting injured is nothing new to the Twins. Royce Lewis, the first pick of the 2017 MLB Draft, has twice torn his anterior cruciate ligament and also suffered a devastating quad injury on Opening Day 2024. Electric center fielder Byron Buxton has suffered myriad injuries during his career, only twice playing more than 100 games. Once a top-10 prospect in baseball, Alex Kirilloff required two season-ending wrist surgeries and retired this offseason because of a back injury, having played only 249 games in his career. Former top-five prospect Miguel Sanó fouled a pitch off his leg in August 2017 and shattered his tibia. Already an MVP, Justin Morneau was amid another award-winning year in 2010 when he suffered a season-ending concussion after taking a knee to the head while sliding into second base in Toronto. Even Hall of Famer Joe Mauer tore a meniscus in his left knee in the second game of his career in 2004. Beginning a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul, Lewis had a double in three trips to the plate and played six innings at third base. Lewis grounded out in his first at-bat against top Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler and struck out the next time up. In his third at-bat, Lewis, out since March 16 with a left hamstring strain, doubled past third base. Advertisement 'I got to test it out a good bit,' Lewis told reporters in St. Paul. Out of action for five-plus weeks, Lewis will be tested thoroughly before returning to the majors. He is expected to sit out Saturday's game and play again Sunday. Baldelli said Lewis won't return to the majors until he has appeared in the field on consecutive days, which likely means he won't be back until the homestand that starts May 6 against the Baltimore Orioles. LARNACH LAUNCH! 🚀 — (@twinstv) April 26, 2025 Pablo López struggled with command but struck out six in a 101-pitch, five-inning effort Friday. Making his first start since he went on the 15-day injured list April 8 with a right hamstring strain, López allowed two earned runs and five hits while walking two batters. He needed to make several extra pitches in the first two innings after poor defensive plays by Edouard Julien and Ty France. López made a rehab start for St. Paul at Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Even with the recent effort, López said it felt like he hadn't pitched in months and thinks that played a part in his command issues. 'I was very excited, very anxious,' López said. 'I think that caused me to be rushed on the mound. I could have done a much better job of controlling that and slowing the game down. It was great to have the support from the offense. I had to grind. For the most part, I was behind in counts, always coming back. … But I knew that I still had the ability to execute pitches.' López was welcomed back with open arms by an offense that finally broke out against the sleep-deprived Angels, who landed in the Twin Cities at 4:30 a.m. Buxton homered, tripled and had a sacrifice fly. Trevor Larnach doubled in a run and belted a three-run homer. Carlos Correa had a nice night at the plate, hitting a sacrifice fly, walking and singling, and Julien walked four times and scored three runs. Gasper went 2-for-3 with two RBIs after replacing Keaschall — and was also hit by a pitch. (Photo of Luke Keaschall: Matt Krohn / Imagn Images)
Reuters
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Trevor Larnach's blast, Byron Buxton's diving catch help Twins top White Sox
April 23 - Trevor Larnach went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run and two RBIs, and the Minnesota Twins held off a comeback bid for a 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Minneapolis. Byron Buxton made a diving catch at the warning track with two runners on base to seal the win for Minnesota, which snapped a three-game skid. Luke Keaschall went 1-for-2 with two walks, two stolen bases and two runs. Jacob Amaya and Nick Maton had an RBI apiece for Chicago, which lost for the eighth time in its past nine games. Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (2-1) allowed one run on eight hits in six innings. White Sox right-hander Davis Martin (1-3) gave up two unearned runs on three hits in five innings. Twins closer Jhoan Duran notched his second save despite needing 32 pitches and allowing one run in the ninth. He pumped his fist as he watched Buxton's diving catch, which prevented the White Sox from scoring a pair of runs and making it 4-all. The White Sox opened the scoring in the top of the second inning. Edgar Quero hit a leadoff single, advanced to third base on a single by Brooks Baldwin and scored on a sacrifice fly by Amaya. Minnesota evened the score at 1 in the bottom of the frame when Ty France singled to drive in Larnach. Keaschall scored the go-ahead run for the Twins in the third. He drew a two-out walk, swiped second and scored on a fluke play by the White Sox. The play unfolded as Larnach hit a soft ground ball with Keaschall on second. Quero, the White Sox catcher, fielded the ball and threw to first. The throw hit Larnach and deflected away from the base, which allowed Keaschall to come around to score. Quero was given an error on the play, and the run charged to Martin was considered unearned. The Twins took a 4-1 lead on Larnach's two-run blast in the eighth. His 434-foot shot to center marked his second homer, both of which have come in the past four games. The White Sox scored their second run in the ninth on an RBI groundout by Maton.
