The Minnesota Twins’ 2025 campaign was a season to forget. With just 70 wins, it was the club’s worst season since 2016, when they went 59-103. Fans are already trying to move on to 2026, but one of the issues keeping Twins fans from moving to a positive page as we enter November is Luke Keaschall’s health.
Although he is expected to make a full return by spring training, Keaschall’s continued trips to the injured list have Twins fans holding their breath until the 23-year-old second baseman officially gets the clear signal to return to normal training this winter. Keaschall made the decision to undergo surgery on his thumb a month ago, and concerns will continue until he is fully healed.
Whether they push the young infielder or not, the Twins need Keaschall in 2026 if they expect to be a contending team.
Luke Keaschall’s second career home run is a walk-off in the 11th inning! pic.twitter.com/Gr1Q9PKfUe
— Talking Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 10, 2025
Keaschall broke into the major leagues on a hot streak. He hit 10-for-his-first-19 last Aprilindicating that Minnesota has found their star hitter. A forearm fracture on a hit pitch subsequently sidelined him for three and a half months, but he bounced back in August by posting 10 extra base hits and an .886 OPS that month.
Keaschall faltered a bit in September, but still reached base 25 times in 19 games for a struggling Twins team that just barely scraped out a victory. However, everything went well for the rookie. He produced a 128 OPS+ in 49 total games with 18 extra base hits and 14 stolen bases. Talk about an upgrade from Edouard Julien, who hit .199 as the Twins’ primary second baseman in 2024.
It’s not only a boost for the position, but also for the overall lineup. Minnesota was in the middle of the American League last year in team slugging percentage (.397) and OPS (.707). A young, exciting player like Keaschall brought life to a batting order that desperately needed it. If his health keeps him on the sidelines for long periods of time in 2026, fans can expect another tumultuous season. Maybe he means that much to this offense whether fans like it or not.
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