MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have been working with Luke Keaschall behind the scenes at two different positions: first base and right field. On Friday, the Twins placed Keaschall in right field for his first career start in the outfield against the Rockies.
“I think it’s going to be a work in progress,” said Twins manager Derek Shelton. “I think we’re aware of that, and there’s probably going to be some growing pains with it. The work has been really good over the last week or so in terms of how he’s gone about it, how he’s gone after his routes and reads.”
“Yeah, I'll be good,” Keaschall said on playing in right. “[I’m a] confident ballplayer, show up to the yard, ready to go, wherever they want me to go.”
Keaschall did play an inning in right field last Saturday when the Twins beat the Diamondbacks, 16-8, as a test run. The regular second baseman has had some playing time in the outfield in the Minors, a combined 20 games split between 2023 and ‘24, so the outfield isn’t too unfamiliar to him, and it’s just a matter of shaking off the rust.
Twins outfield coach Grady Sizemore has been working with Keaschall on outfield drills the past few weeks. From what he’s seen of the second-year big leaguer, Sizemore recognizes how great of an athlete Keaschall is and knows the molding is there for him to build his versatility between different positions.
“Honestly, I think the best outfielders are usually former infielders,” Sizemore said. “I think for an infielder it’s probably going to be an easy transition. You’re going to have more time; you’re going to have a little bit of -- you’re just further away. Your reaction, you don’t have to be as immediate. You can be a hair late or have an extra step to get the right read or the right direction.”
For years, the Twins have worked with position players to be sure they’re not limited to just one spot and can be available to move around the field as the team’s needs change. Shelton has said on numerous occasions that the only position player on his team who is limited to just one position is Byron Buxton, because of how well he’s played center field for a decade-plus.
Keaschall is just the latest of players behind Royce Lewis to have the work done at a new position. While second base has been his home since his time at Arizona State, he’s enjoyed learning the new position, as it can help his manager continue to have different options with the same guys in the lineup each night.
“I think it's huge, because every day you show up to the field, it gives Shelty a lot of options on how he wants to manage the game,” Keaschall said. “I think it's a good thing that a lot of us can play multiple positions.”
“I think we’re just trying to expose him as much as possible,” Sizemore said. “Luke’s a great athlete, he can do a lot of things. We’ve been getting our reps in when we can, and I’m excited for him. Excited to see him out there and just let him go a little bit.”