Minnesota Twins breakout player Luke Keaschall could have an incredible year in 2026.
The Minnesota Twins have spent much of the winter balancing the present with the future, especially when it comes to their infield.
With a wave of young talent knocking on the door and a front office intent on creating clearer development paths, roster decisions this offseason have carried extra weight.
Second base, in particular, has been an area of quiet uncertainty, with multiple players rotating through the position and no long-term answer firmly established.
That uncertainty began to fade this week. The Twins’ decision to trade Edouard Julien and Pierson Ohl to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday is significant on their own, but it carries even bigger implications for Luke Keaschall.
The move all but clears the runway for Keaschall to take over as Minnesota’s everyday second baseman heading into the 2026 season, with Kody Clemens now projected as his primary backup rather than competition for regular at-bats.
For Keaschall, that clarity matters. The 2025 season showed why the Twins are comfortable making this commitment. In his first extended run at the big-league level, Keaschall appeared in 49 games and looked the part of a long-term infield piece.
He finished the year with a .302 batting average, .382 on-base percentage, .827 OPS, four home runs and 28 RBIs. He also stole 14 bases, showcasing the balanced offensive profile that made him such an intriguing prospect.
Beyond the surface numbers, Keaschall’s approach stood out. He showed strong plate discipline, consistently working counts and limiting chase, while also holding his own defensively at second base.
Julien’s departure simplifies everything. Instead of a timeshare or matchup-based usage, Keaschall can now prepare as the main piece up the middle. That stability should allow him to focus on refining his game rather than fighting for playing time. Clemens, meanwhile, fits cleanly as a versatile depth option who can spell Keaschall and provide coverage around the infield.
From the Twins’ perspective, the trade aligns with a broader youth-driven direction. The organization has increasingly prioritized cost-controlled contributors who can grow alongside its core, even if that means moving on from established but overlapping pieces.
From Keaschall’s perspective, it is nothing but good news. With a full-time role now firmly within reach, 2026 shapes up as a defining season for the 23-year-old in his first full year in MLB. If his 2025 production is any indication, Minnesota may have just locked in its second baseman for years to come.