Minnesota Twins 2016 Fantasy Preview

Mar 23, 2016; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Yes, I waited until the last one to do my team. Why? Because there wont be a lot of fantasy relevant players on the team this year. The Twins are young, and have some great prospects on the way, but they are still at least a year away.

Minnesota Twins 2016 Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Kurt Suzuki (.240, 5HR, 50RBI)
1B: Joe Mauer (.265, 10HR, 66RBI)
2B: Brian Dozier (.236, 28HR, 77RBI, 12SB)
SS: Eduardo Escobar (.262, 12HR, 58RBI)
3B: Trevor Plouffe (.244, 22HR, 86RBI)
LF: Eddie Rosario (.267, 13HR, 50RBI, 11SB)
CF: Byron Buxton (.209, 2HR, 6RBI, 2SB in 129AB)
RF: Miguel Sano (.269, 18HR, 52RBI in 279 AB)
DH: Byung Ho Park (.343, 53HR, 146RBI in Korean League)

Suzuki is a solid play in two catcher leagues or in deep leagues, but he doesn’t help enough in fantasy leagues otherwise. He is much more valuable in help the Twins develop pitching, and in keeping Mauer at first base.

Mauer’s best years are behind him, but I still think he is better than last year’s numbers suggest. Is he going to hit 20 homers? No. Will he hit .300? Maybe. Will he drive in 100? Probably not. That makes him more suitable for deeper leagues and points leagues.

Dozier has been consistently one of the top second basemen taken, low average be damned. He has the most power at second base, and he steals double digit bases. You can make up for the average elsewhere. Dozier is worth the fourth round pick.

Escobar is a solid hitter. He probably isn’t standard league relevant just yet, but he is plenty good enough to play MI in your 12 team league or larger.

Plouffe’s average is a bit low, but he has good power. He is worth a look at the end of standard league drafts. There is also an outside shot that he drives in 100 runs.

Rosario is a 20/20 threat with a decent average. He goes largely unnoticed in standard drafts. Grab him at the end and see if he pans out. If not, you aren’t out anything.

Buxton is being drafted in standard leagues on hype alone. He is still a low first to high second round pick in dynasty leagues as well. I would stay away in standard leagues right now, but make sure you keep track of him. The tools are there. The production could happen at any time. Stash him If you have the bench space.

The Twins are experimenting with Sano in right field. They need that bat in the lineup, so if he fails there, they will find some way to put him in the lineup. The good part is that he will gain OF eligibility early on, so he doesn’t clog the UTIL slot. Sano’s power is real. He projects to over 40 homers in a full season. I am happy taking that potential in the fifth or sixth round. He wont be just a DH for long. Sano could really be a bargain this year.

The Twins are going with the Korean import Park at DH. No one really knows how his power will translate to the major leagues. If you feel like gambling a little, taking a chance on Park may not be a bad thing. He should hit around 20 homers, and provide a decent average.

Oswaldo Arcia was once one of the Twins’ best prospects. Moving Sano to right demoted him to the bench for now, but keep an eye on him. He still has good potential.

Next: How Will The Rotation Shape Up?

Mar 21, 2016; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at CenturyLink Sports Complex. The Pirates shut out the Twins 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins 2016 Projected Pitching Rotation:

Ervin Santana (7-5, 4.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 82K in 108IP)
Kyle Gibson (11-11, 3.84 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 145K)
Phil Hughes (11-9, 4.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 94K in 155.1 IP)
Tommy Milone (9-5, 3.92 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 91K in 128.2 IP)
Ricky Nolasco (5-2, 6.75 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 35K in 37.1IP)
Glen Perkins (3-5, 3.32 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 54K in 57IP, 32/35 saves)

Santana had a decent year with the Twins last year, and looked decent in the optener, but that’s all he will be: decent. He can only help you in deeper leagues.

Gibson has reached his ceiling, but it really isn’t that bad. He puts up solid strikeout numbers, and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He is a good end of the rotation piece in 12 team leagues.

Hughes has shown signs of being a good pitcher throughout his career, but it has never quite come together. Only use him in deep leagues unless he is riding a hot streak.

Milone has likely reached his ceiling too, but the numbers are solid. He is also a good piece in leagues of 12 or more teams.

Don’t touch Nolasco. Like, ever. The pitching staff was better as a whole after he got hurt last year. Seriously. Don’t do it. This is coming from a Twins fan.

Perkins is a solid closer late in drafts. He is not dominant, nor will he see a lot of opportunities, but I like him better than most of the cheaper closer options.

Next: What Prospects Are Worth Watching?

Jul 12, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; World pitcher Jose Berrios throws against the U.S. Team in the first inning during the All Star Futures Game at Great American Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

We will take a look at a few prospects that could crack the majors for the Twins this year, and in what type of leagues you should be looking for them in. The Twins still have quite a few prospects. Will any make an impact? Let’s get started!

Jose Berrios, RHP: Berrios will be up this year. The only question is when. He dominated the minors last year, going 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA and 175 strikeouts at AA and AAA. He will be up as soon as the Twins can swing it. When he does get the call, he is worth adding in all leagues. His arm is that good.

Max Kepler, OF: The only question with Kepler as well is when. The Twins are solid in the outfield, but if Sano can’t swing it in right or Rosario struggles, the brawny Kepler will get the call. He hit well in the minors last year, but his power is still developing. He is worth a look in leagues of 12 or more teams once he gets the call.

Alex Meyer, RHP: Meyer had a rough year in the minors, and was blasted in his two major league appearances. He may end up being a reliever long term, but if the Twins’ rotation struggles, he could get a call. If he does….stay away.

Jorge Polanco, SS: Polanco is not a natural shortstop, but he is blocked by Dozier at second. He is a talented hitter with no place to play in the majors unless injuries arise. If he does get normal playing time, he is worth a look in deeper leagues.

Next: Is Lamar Miller A Top Tier RB

Stay tuned for our daily FanDuel picks, and some DraftKings picks as well!

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