The Minnesota Twins had a sour finish to their 2022 season, collapsing in September after holding first place in the early part of the month.
Their 78-84 record was a reflection of the apathy the team played with in the last few weeks.
They had a few players out with injury, most notably Byron Buxton, and couldn’t keep up with the red-hot Cleveland Guardians.
They are hoping things will be different in 2023.
They retained Carlos Correa, they extended Buxton, they are getting a key injured guy like Kenta Maeda back, and they have a boatload of talented infielders vying for playing time.
Two of those infielders are Alex Kirilloff and Royce Lewis.
After tearing his ACL for the second time last year, Lewis isn’t expected back until June.
He is already taking some swings and working his way back, though.
Kirilloff, on the other hand, has also been unable to establish himself in the majors due to injuries and issues to adapt, but 2023 could be his year.
Both are getting ready for the show.
Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff taking swings in the cage. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/KgrGkrLqPZ
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) February 24, 2023
Lewis was off to a scintillating start last season, with an .867 OPS, at the moment of blowing up his knee.
Kirilloff has been mediocre in MLB so far, but is just 25 and has prospect pedigree.
He has the kind of impact bat that could develop into a middle-of-the-order producer for the next decade or so.
If the two young players find themselves in the lineup come July or August, the Twins will be thrilled and will probably be in good shape.
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The Twins Are Focusing On An Important Cause
