Minneapolis – It took over six years for DaShawn Keirsey Jr. to work his way through the minors and accomplish his dream. Towards the end of the 2024 season, he finally got his call-up to the majors, joining the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 5, 2024.
The Twins sent him back to Triple-A eight days later. However, as Minnesota’s postseason chances dwindled further in that time, the front office recalled him for the season’s final weekend. Keirsey had one of the better moments in the last game of the year, crushing his first major-league home run.
“It’s everything that I’ve worked for my entire life,” said Keirsey. “To be able to be a Major League Baseball player, regardless of the role. I think just for everyone, because obviously you have different roles on every team, I think it’s just a big blessing and opportunity for each and every one of us.”
Minnesota’s newest heartthrob went into the off-season with much to celebrate from his 2024 season. He also had the good fortune of getting engaged to his longtime girlfriend Tori in December, to cap off a year full of happy achievements.
To start the new season, Keirsey made his first Opening Day roster out of spring training after posting a .286/.380/.381 slash line in 19 games. Keirsey has primarily served as a bench player with the team, often entering games as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.
But his role intensified last Tuesday night after right fielder Matt Wallner exited the game early with a hamstring injury. Keirsey went 1-for-3 at the plate and got caught stealing on the base paths, but his performance impressed manager Rocco Baldelli in their 6-3 win over the New York Mets.
“They prepare well,” Baldelli said Wednesday morning during his pregame presser, referring to Kiersey and Brooks Lee, who subbed in for an injured Carlos Correa. “Whether they are playing in the game, starting, or ready to come in. But both of those guys are highly competitive guys, they’re going to go out there and stick their nose right in it and get to work.”
Keirsey’s limited bench role at the start of the season never bothered him. He said it was a blessing to be in the major-league clubhouse every day, whether on the field or the bench. With more playing opportunities, stealing more bases, or making highlight reel catches, Keirsey is ready to take the next step in the majors.
“I’m just here to do whatever I can to help this team win,” Keirsey said. “My role right now is to come run bases, steal bags, play good defense, and I’ll get at-bats here and there when I can. But when I do, it’s just about having good at-bats, good plate appearances, and just doing everything I can do to get on base and help this team win.”
“DK brings a lot of athleticism and tremendous outfield play, and he’s always using his legs to do something positive for us,” said Baldelli. “And he’s improving as a player still, he’s a highly athletic player who I don’t think we’ve seen all of his skills.”
Keirsey is one of Minnesota’s three highly talented center fielders who regularly patrol the outfield. They have Gold Glove winners Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader in center and left field, respectively, and Keirsey in right. Together, they are arguably the best defensive outfield in baseball today.
“It’s awesome that you essentially have three outfielders out there and two of them have a Gold Glove and a Platinum Glove,” said Keirsey. “So it’s just awesome to also learn from those guys, see how they go about their work out on the field. I’ve definitely picked up on a lot of things from both of them that will hopefully help me get that patch on my glove someday.”
Witnessing firsthand how Keirsey is absorbing advice from his major-league teammates, Baldelli is more than confident that Keirsey hasn’t reached his full potential. If he keeps doing what he’s doing, Twins fans will see a player who completes the triumvirate of baseball’s best defensive outfield.
“I think there’s even room for him to grow with what he can do,” said Baldelli. “I’ve really liked the way he’s been with us the whole year. [Keirsey has] been active the whole year, hasn’t had that many at-bats, but he’s preparing like he’s going to be playing every single day, which is what I like to see.”
The Twins suffered another gut-wrenching loss on Friday night to the Atlanta Braves. After holding a 4-1 lead, they allowed five runs to Braves hitters in the bottom of the eighth inning. The losses have weighed heavily on the clubhouse. The team now finds itself exactly where it was through 20 games a year ago, with a 7-13 record.
After Monday’s 5-1 loss to the Mets, Baldelli said the clubhouse couldn’t afford to succumb to frustration. The team responded by winning its next two games and the series against the Mets. But another loss like this, where it had a 94.6% win probability with five outs to get, is a step back in the wrong direction for this squad.
Before Monday night’s game, Keirsey spoke about his mindset and how he hasn’t allowed these close losses to get the better of the clubhouse.
“I think if you have watched our games, especially on both sides of the ball, we have played good baseball,” he said. “Baseball is just a game that: a flip of a coin. It could not go your way.
“Especially at the plate, we’ve had guys who have had really good at-bats; it’s just early on, things weren’t falling. I think days like yesterday (Sunday), when you continue on the process and trusting it and not chasing results, the results will eventually come. And I think for us it’s just taking that and just rolling with it.”
Fellow outfielder Bader echoed similar sentiments on the team’s start to the season in the Twins’ clubhouse following Wednesday’s walk-off win.
“Every day, you get a chance to play and put on a uniform,” said Bader. “It’s a clean slate. This team has kind of done a good job of turning that over, remaining confident and going out there that next day, regardless of the previous day, still playing effective baseball. … This game is about momentum, so it’s continuing to keep the momentum going.”
The Twins hope to regain momentum Saturday night against the Braves as reliever Brock Stewart rejoins the team from a rehab assignment. Simeon Woods Richardson will face off against reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale.
