Pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training on Feb. 14 to prepare for the 2023 season. Position players will follow on Feb. 19, including rising stars like José Miranda.
The 2021 Twins Minor League Player of the Year quickly caught Minnesota Twins fans’ attention that season with his impressive play in Triple-A. Last year, he slashed .343/.397/.563 with 17 home runs and 56 RBI in 80 games for St. Paul. Miranda made his big-league debut in May 2022 and finished his first season, slashing .268/.325/.426 with 15 home runs and 66 RBI in 125 games.
Miranda used his bat to earn his way into the lineup last year. The biggest question for manager Rocco Baldelli: What can Miranda do with his glove? Miranda spent last season playing first and third for the Twins. Most of those innings came at first. Miranda logged 69 starts and 595.1 innings at first base, and only 27 starts at third base with 246.2 innings.
Miguel Sanó’s injury meant the Twins needed to shuffle multiple players at first, which made it possible for Miranda to get into the lineup consistently. However, Gio Urshela primarily played third last season. Urshela’s hitting numbers were nothing crazy at the plate, but he made up for it with the ability to flash the leather throughout the season with a .983 fielding percentage at third base.
Many fans were upset when the Twins traded Urshela to the Los Angeles Angels. However, they had to move Urshela to make room for Miranda. They could have platooned Urshela with Miranda but it wouldn’t have been advantageous for either to split time. Miranda needs consistent at-bats to develop as a hitter and be placed in a routine position for everyday starts.
You could make the case that Urshela is the better fielding third baseman than Miranda. However, the Twins only had one year of team control on Urshela, 31, who has been a bottom-of-the-lineup hitter. There’s no inherent issue with that; every team needs those players. Miranda presents a higher ceiling, and the Twins need to give him the environment to reach his potential.
Still, first base may look like the logical option for Miranda. His arm strength could be a cause for concern long term at third base, and his speed might not be up to par for the position. Miranda had a .994 fielding percentage at first base last season compared to a .952 fielding percentage at third base that year.
However, some of those fears might be overblown after looking at some of the more analytical numbers. Miranda came through the minors primarily as a third baseman. He also performed better as a big-league third baseman last year compared to first base.
As a first baseman in 2022, Miranda recorded a -6 defensive runs saved clip with a 3.2 UZR/150. He also had -4 outs above average and -3 runs above average. Miranda didn’t earn his prospect hype as a fielder, but those numbers aren’t exactly ideal, especially at first base. Alex Kirilloff or Joey Gallo are better defensive options at the first base because they have more ability to hold down that position.
Miranda’s numbers at third base suggest he has experience at the position. He finished last season with 0 DRS, a -10.4 UZR/150 with 0 OAA, and 0 RAA. Those numbers aren’t going to be getting him a Gold Glove anytime soon, but they show that he is more comfortable at third than at first.
Maybe more time is all Miranda needs at first base to experience substantial improvements. Just because a player was in a certain position in the minors doesn’t necessarily mean that they are locked into that spot forever. However, the third base opening seems like the logical spot for Miranda because third base is the position he has the most comfortability at.
It’s still uncertain if Miranda will stick at third base long-term for the next five seasons. That’s especially true considering Royce Lewis needs to play somewhere, and third might be that spot. Kirilloff isn’t going anywhere and Miranda can plug that hole at first base with the opportunity for consistent playing time and at-bats.
But Miranda has earned the right to get an extended look at third base to see if he can grow into a big-league third baseman. Lewis could be the guy at third later on, but that’s not a guarantee. Miranda needs to show that he can take another step up with his glove this season.
However, his bat might be what allows him to hold down the position.
If Miranda can hold his own in the field while still providing the offense he’s known for, it will make it almost impossible for the Twins to overlook him at third. First base likely won’t be open and Miranda is too young to shoehorn into the designated hitter spot. Plus, Lewis can always find another spot on the diamond. Third base might be the only spot where Miranda provides value.
Health became a concern for Miranda towards the end of last season. It was more that his body wore out when the season went into early October. It showed at the plate, when he slashed .240/.314/.351 with three home runs from August 19 to the end of the season. And it motivated Miranda to train differently this offseason to better prepare for the grind of a 162-game major league season.
That also likely affected his ability to play defense. No matter what, his commitment to bettering his physical condition should also help him play third base. Miranda is more shredded this year, or as Carlos Correa would say, sexy. He may not push his arm strength or range into elite territory by getting in better shape. However, it should certainly help mask some of the flaws he currently has with the glove. Playing next to a Platinum Glove winner in Correa should also help that.
José Miranda has his flaws in the field. However, he’s exhibited a big-league caliber bat and played many innings at third base. He’s had half a season to give everyone a large sample of playing the position. The Twins are allowing him to succeed at the hot corner. Now it’s time to see that transition into some production at the big league level.
