The Minnesota Twins have their fair share of stars. Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan and Pablo López deserve the love they receive, but the organization has some guys who are not only in line to breakout in 2026; they need more respect from the fans.
Kody Funderburk and Austin Martin showed us in 2025 that they have what it takes to take their game to the next level next season. We have to take it into account.
Kody Funderburk and Austin Martin may deserve more respect ahead of the Twins’ 2026 season
Kody Funderburk
Funderburk made an exceptional jump from 2024 to 2025, lowering his ERA from 6.49 to 3.51 while seeing an increase in innings pitched. He now seems adjusted to Major League hitting, as he registered a 122 ERA+ and 3.35 FIP in 41 frames a season ago.
Funderburk did even better. He didn’t allow a run in 11.2 innings in August, then surrendered just two runs in September, spanning 12.1 frames. That means his ERA in the last two months was 0.75 with 28 strikeouts (24 innings). Not bad at all. He seems ready for the challenge in 2026.
One thing to watch out for is the use of his sweeper. This the pitch had a 37.3 whiff rate in 2025 and opponents hit .057 against it. It was his third most used pitch of the season. Perhaps he will become more into it as the dominance continues.
Austin Martin
Injuries prevented Martin from really finding a rhythm in 2025, but in 50 games he showed the fans what he is capable of.
Austin Martin with his first home run of the season. #MNTwins led the score 7-4
pic.twitter.com/yDNu3VZ7XI
— SleeperTwins (@SleeperMLBTwins) August 6, 2025
Martin hit .282 with a 106 OPS+ and 11 stolen bases. He won’t wow you with power, but solid contact and speed are enough to make fans think he would be a solid starter. His 12.2 walk rate also indicates he can pass the baton at the top of the lineup.
He hit .291 in September, headlined by seven multi-hit games and an eight-game hitting streak. Those songs will play. Will he be Byron Buxton? No, but it’s time to consider Austin Martin as a legitimate bat in the running order. Who knows, if he commits himself, maybe his power will follow. But even if it doesn’t surface, the other aspects of his game are enough to garner more respect.
Hopefully these two players will continue to improve in 2026 as the Twins are desperate for a bounce-back season.
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