Sample Size Of What The Twins Might Be In 2015

Joe Mauer Looks To Regain His Batting Crown Form

They say you can get an accurate read on well a team is after 30 games. Let’s cut that in half and let the judging begin after 15 on the Minnesota Twins.

First we look at just straight forward results. All the Twins games have been against division foes. The AL Central was considered the toughest division in baseball by many entering the 2015 season.

The Detroit Tigers are the reigning division champs, the Kansas City Royals the reigning AL champs. Clearly the favorites to win the central. The Tigers put a historic whooping on the Twins in the season opening series, sweeping them in three games.

As for the Twins facing the Royals, in two series that have split six games. 3-6 against two of the best teams not just in the division but in all of major league baseball, although not ideal, I think we’ll take it for now.

As for the Indians and White Sox, the Twins went 1-2 at the Chicago White Sox, and 2-1 at home against the Cleveland Indians. 3-3 mark versus teams more on our level, par for the course. We’ll take par.

Now let’s take a look at more of the specifics thus far.

Hitting: The bad news, the Twins are 14^th in the American League in runs scored. The good news, that number is skewed by the fact the Tigers held the Twins to one run in the season opening series. Since the Twins left Detroit, they’ve averaged 3.92 run a game, tenth in the AL. Baby steps folks.

Concerns are aplenty though through the first 15 games when it comes to hitting. Eleventh in the AL in team batting average at just .228, and when they do hit it’s not for power, as the OPS is dead last at .321, hampered by the fact the team has only eight homeruns, the lone AL squad without at least double digit homeruns.

Another cause for concern is the fact the Twins aren’t being selective at the plate, 13^th in walks drawn, and sixth in strikeouts. That might be expected when you have a team as young as the Twins do, Danny Santana and Kennys Vargas lead the team in strikeouts with a combined 31.

What is bothersome to me though is the fact that once Paul Molitor took over it was expected the aggressiveness on the bases would be turned up to eleven. The Twins are currently tied for last in the AL with four stolen bases.

Pitching: The bad news, 13^th in the AL with 4.64 team ERA. The good news, Mike Pelfrey won a game on Wednesday night.  

Up to now Twins starters have pitched 84 innings, eleventh in the AL, and like our young lineup, this veteran rotation struggles with strikeout/walk ratio. Twins starters have issued the fifth most walks and rank last in strikeouts.

They’re not getting K’s out of their rotation or bullpen which also ranks last recording 4.89 per nine innings. 

Our pen’s strength is command, issuing just 2.54 walks per nine (3rd best in AL), but the ERA ranks 14th at 4.30.

Teams have a .287 batting average on balls put in play, which for a team that doesn’t rely on strikeouts like the Twins, is a recipe for disaster.

The preceding numbers aren’t pretty, but perhaps most disappointing is the defensive performance. In 2014 the Twins ranked eighth in fielding percentage, double plays, and errors.

Early on this year they rank 13th, tenth, and have committed the fourth most errors.

So what do Twins fans take from all of this? The season is as young as this roster, some will say too early to pay attention to the numbers. I for one say 15 games is enough to get a read, a small one albeit on a team.

The numbers are concerning, but the team seems to have found their footing, and are 6-9 with an opponent win percentage of .557.

Bear in mind this team lost their number two starter Ervin Santana for 80 games. It’s fair to say his presence could be worth at least another win or two.

Twins must improve in almost all statistical areas, that being said, isn’t it encouraging knowing that they’ve played below themselves and sit at 6-9 while their opponents have a combined .557 win percentage? 

Be optimistic Twins fans, patient, but optimistic.