Baseball players thrive on routine, and last season, the Minnesota Twins crafted a fresh one. Players from across the lineup regularly ducked beneath the stadium for pregame batting practice in a cage. They fine-tuned their swings before stepping up to the plate.
For decades, on-field batting practice has been a cherished highlight for fans and a cornerstone of pregame festivities. Last season, however, the Minnesota Twins largely stepped away from that tradition. With new hitting coach Matt Borgschulte now on board, the team is set to swing back into this fan-favorite ritual.
Carlos Correa has never been shy about his meticulous preparation. His drive to dig into the metrics and his unique approach to the game may well set him apart as unmatched. When manager Rocco Baldelli announced that veterans would get more at-bats pregame, and that on-field batting practice was making a comeback, Correa welcomed the news with open arms.
"It's a conversation that me and Rocco have had a couple of times. I'm glad we're doing this. It's more of a structured type of workout. I enjoy it. I like it."
Borgschulte is coming back to the Minnesota Twins after working with the Baltimore Orioles . Baltimore's 5th best (.324) wOBA (weighted on-base average) was significantly higher than Minnesota's 11th place finish (.316). The new hitting coach told Bobby Nightengale this would be a change for some. It's also something he really believes in.
"It'll be a little bit different for some guys, but I think it's going to be something that is going to help us. Seeing the ball off the bat is great for the whole team, honestly. You get reads on the bases. Outfielders get balls off the bat reads, too. Then you just get to see the ball flight. You get to have some control and have some focuses in each round on what you're trying to do."
The Minnesota Twins wrapped up the season with a mediocre 103 OPS+, placing them just above the league average . By contrast, the Baltimore Orioles soared to second in baseball with an impressive 118 OPS+, a figure topped only by the Los Angeles Dodgers . The main issue for the Twins was situational hitting, particularly struggling to deliver when the bases were loaded or when runners stood in scoring position.
MAKE IT 12!
Jose Miranda has hits in 12 straight at-bats, the longest streak in the Expansion Era (since 1961). pic.twitter.com/awzt9tRCe1— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2024
There is a level of familiarity with Borgschulte for multiple current Twins big league players. Jose Miranda really took off when he batted .343/.397/.563 during his first Triple-A stint under Borgschulte's tutelage.
Royce Lewis worked with Borgschulte previously too, and the talented third baseman must find his groove again after a season of struggle. The Twins young star slashed just .233/.295/.452, and really lost himself at the plate. A new approach to game action could certainly bring a fresh start in 2025.
Related: Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Already Dealing With Injury
Last season, the Minnesota Twins' offense didn't exactly languish in the depths of despair—except during their staggering August-into-September collapse, when they unraveled with no solutions to halt the freefall. This time, they're aiming to head off trouble before it starts, and a Baltimore-esque offensive surge would be a more-than-welcome outcome.
