In the latest installment of Rebuilding the Twins, we look at third base.

The hot corner has been one of the few positions the Twins have had this year that have been injury free.

Second year player Danny Valencia has encountered a sophomore slump after a very successful rookie campaign. Valencia’s struggles have come both in the batter’s box, where his .247 batting average is almost 60 points below his average last year, as well as in the field, where he has made countless errors on what seem to be routine plays.

One can expect a second year player to struggle as teams adjust to their swing. Which is why at least in this segment of Rebuilding the Twins I think it is a one person race.

Valencia has shown flashes of his rookie year, and has hit 15 homeruns. I think this is Valencia’s job to lose, and the Twins are lacking a strong second candidate to challenge him for the job in spring training. Valencia simply needs to improve his ability to hit to all fields, which will come as he gets more experience in the big leagues. The fielding is simply a lack of focus which I think will also change next year.

I’m going to go with my gut on this one and say that this position is filled for years to come thanks to Danny Valencia.

 

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