Team MVP? Best arm? Twins superlatives 1 quarter through '25

This story was excerpted from Matthew Leach’s Twins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

As I write this, the Twins have finished their 41st game, which means that fully one-quarter of the 2025 season is in the rearview mirror. So here’s a look at some superlatives from the first 40-plus games.

First-quarter MVP (position players): Byron Buxton

It’s a close call over Harrison Bader, who has also been outstanding, but the honors go to Buxton due to his 43 more plate appearances. Buxton has done it all. He leads the team in homers (nine), RBIs (26), runs (31), steals (eight) and slugging percentage (.507). He’s provided his usual elite defense, sparked the team with big plays and generally reminded everyone of the tremendous heights he’s capable of.

Honorable mention: Bader

Most Valuable Pitcher: Joe Ryan

Once again there are multiple candidates, but Ryan is second on the team in innings (46), first among starters in ERA (2.74) and WHIP (0.83), and sports a ridiculous 54-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He’s had a couple of shaky outings, but overall, he’s been tremendous, even when he hasn’t felt all that good. On a couple of occasions, Ryan has basically gone out and won a game for a team that needed it.

Honorable mentions: Bailey Ober, Pablo López, Jhoan Duran

Unsung hero (offense): Brooks Lee

Lee’s return from the injured list is one of the most important developments of the young season so far. He’s played three positions in the infield with aplomb, and his bat has provided critically needed length to the lineup. Lee is a switch-hitter who can play three positions well, and having him has made it much easier for manager Rocco Baldelli to navigate the slew of infield injuries the Twins have dealt with.

Honorable mention: Ty France

Unsung hero (pitching): Danny Coulombe

As I write this, Coulombe has not allowed a run in nearly a full year, dating back to late May 2024. He’s pitched early and late, against left-handers and right-handers, for a batter and for more than an inning, and he’s even closed some games. Much like Lee in the infield, Coulombe’s effectiveness and versatility make deploying the other relievers so much easier.

Honorable mentions: Chris Paddack, Justin Topa

Newcomer of the quarter of the year: Bader

Who else could it be? The Twins knew they were getting a strong defender with speed and occasional power. Bader has been so much more than that, playing truly elite defense while hitting at an All-Star level. He’s not just run into some home runs, he’s been an all-around hitter and is even getting on base at what would be by far a career-best clip.

Honorable mentions: Coulombe, France

Comeback player of the quarter of the year: Duran

OK, we’re fudging this a little bit here, because Duran had a perfectly serviceable 3.64 ERA and 23 saves last year. That’s not exactly something you need to come back from. But his overall numbers had been trending from “staggering” toward “great, but mortal” for the past two seasons. In 2025, he’s been sensational (0.89 ERA and eight saves). Duran is on pace for a career high in innings while turning into a ground-ball machine.