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Nick Nelson

@nicknelson.bsky.social
2.3K followers 145 following 1.2K posts

Writer, marketer, baseball fan www.twinsdaily.com

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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 3h
Here are my grades for every pitcher that appeared for the Twins in 2026: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Grading Every Player Who Appeared for the Twins in 2026: Pitchers
There were legitimate breakthroughs amid the churn, but Minnesota’s pitching staff spent much of 2026 searching for stability.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 22h
Tom Pohlad is being very intentional in what he’s trying to do, and I think it’s the right path to mending the fanbase’s broken trust toward ownership. But now comes the most important part. New @twinsdaily.com: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Tom Pohlad Is on a Mission to Rebuild Trust. A Critical Juncture Lies Ahead.
Words alone won't restore faith in Twins ownership. Following through on promises of offseason aggression just might.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
24 different position players appeared for the 2026 Twins. At @twinsdaily.com I graded all of their performances: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Grading Every Player Who Appeared for the Twins in 2026: Position Players
A more productive Twins offense featured some unexpected standouts, some familiar frustrations and a promising glimpse of the lineup’s future.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This comment from HerbieFan on my latest Week in Review column at @twinsdaily.com sort of says it all. We’d have been quite pleased if Lewis slashed .239/.298/.460 this year with 27 homers while playing all over the field. Instead, he’s a sub-mediocre bat limited to first base.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Naturally, the Twins put forth their first winning week since July at a time where it behooved them more to lose 😂 Still, we’ll take the strong finish, given the contributions from hopeful future building blocks. The season’s final Week in Review 😭 is live at @twinsdaily.com
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: Finishing With a Flourish
The Twins closed a losing season on a winning note, with young building blocks providing reasons to look ahead with optimism.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Such an interesting offseason ahead for the Twins. The 2027 roster is set to feature 3 legit All-Star caliber vets in Lopez, Buxton & Ryan, but 2 will be coming off major surgeries and the other coming off ugly 2nd half. Need to build significant quality & depth around those guys
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
When the Twins acquired Alan Roden, they talked about working him in at first base, where he played some in college. It never happened in game action. They really need to circle back and give that another go next spring.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Luke Keaschall is finishing strong to say the least. In his last 50 games: .316/.395/.503. The power production is what really revs me up.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
It's interesting how Travis Adams basically traded strikeouts for effectiveness in the second half this year. May/June: 30% K-rate, 7.06 ERA in 22 IP July-Sept: 20% K-rate, 3.31 ERA in 35 IP Quietly established himself as probably a lock for the 2027 pen?
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Taj Bradley W ✅ Walker Jenkins HR ✅ Jeff Hoffman save ✅ These are the favorable 2027-facing signs we look for #MNTwins
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Another losing week for the Twins was lifted up by strong performances from future building blocks like Walker Jenkins, Connor Prielipp and Luke Keaschall. Read about it in the year’s penultimate Week in Review at @twinsdaily.com: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: Walker's Awakening
Walker Jenkins broke out, Connor Prielipp dominated and several young Twins offered reasons for optimism as a lost season nears its end.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
As a huge fan of both the Resident Evil franchise and Zach Creggers, I greatly enjoyed the new movie. Love that he chose to focus on the essence of survival horror instead of specific details and lore of the games (which, if we're being honest, are cheesy & sometimes illogical)
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The Twins kept losing, but strong performances from Walker Jenkins, Connor Prielipp and other potential building blocks made this an encouraging week anyway. New Week in Review is live at @twinsdaily.com twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: Walker's Awakening
Walker Jenkins broke out, Connor Prielipp dominated and several young Twins offered reasons for optimism as a lost season nears its end.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
7 of 10 balls in put into play by Emmanuel Rodriguez as a big-leaguer have had triple-digit exit velocity. That’s not including the 98-MPH double he just laced. This dude is a MENACE.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Since making bold moves to improve their bullpen at the trade deadline, the Twins rank 26th in MLB with a 5.02 ERA from their relievers. Last year, after dismantling their bullpen at the deadline, they ranked 27th with a 4.93 ERA.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Sunday's outfield felt like a glimpse into the future for the Twins: Emma, Jenkins, Keaschall. So where does that leave Buxton in 2027? Wrote today at @twinsdaily.com why a return to DH makes sense for the aging star, even if he's not a fan: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Should a Return to Designated Hitter Be in the Plans for Byron Buxton?
The outfield of the future has arrived for the Twins. What does that mean for Byron Buxton in 2027?
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The past week felt like a turning of the page for the Twins. They called up another top prospect, Buxton decided to shut it down, and two more series losses extinguished whatever glimmer of postseason hope remained. New Week in Review is live at @twinsdaily.com twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: Turning the Page
The Twins turn their attention toward 2027 as Emmanuel Rodriguez joins a promising young core and Byron Buxton shuts down for the season.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I’ve heard people say while this wasn’t a great Twins season, it was at least more entertaining. Was it though? They were above .500 for 13 days all season. They have zero 3-WAR players, hasn’t happened in 15 years. Never a win streak of more than 4. Non-competitive 2nd half.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
For baseball players, a 3-WAR season is the bar for a legitimately above-average regular. The Twins have had at least one three-win player every season since 2012. This year they might not. And it says a lot about the story of this team. New @twinsdaily.com: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Will the Twins Have a Single 3-WAR Player This Season?
Minnesota could finish without a single 3-WAR player for the first time in a full season since 2011, neatly summing up what went wrong in 2026.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton ranked 1st and 2nd on the Twins in WAR in the first half. They rank last and second-to-last in the second half. Not sure I’ve ever quite seen that before.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Despite missing almost two months due to injury, Ryan Jeffers leads all Twins players in WAR and is tied for 3rd among MLB catchers. Not extending him the QO this offseason would be criminal in my mind and would undo a lot of goodwill that Tom Pohlad’s been trying to build.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Ryan Jeffers has started 7 consecutive games at catcher for the Twins. Had never started more than 3 straight previously this year. They are featuring their best healthy player heavily, and he’s delivering: 4 HR, 2 double, a triple and 11 RBIs during this span.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Given how close this Twins team was to being legit, it's hard not to play what if. What if Lopez and/or Abel stayed healthy. What if they kept Varland. What if they made any kind of investment in the roster last offseason instead of waffling over ownership uncertainty. What if
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Twins started the past week strong with back-to-back blowout wins against Detroit. Then they dropped 3 of the next 4 to fumble away momentum in a familiar turn of events. They're out of runway as attention turns toward 2027. New Week in Review is live @twinsdaily.com twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: Stuck in Neutral
As the Twins' postseason path narrows to almost nothing, the final weeks are becoming an audition for players who could shape their next run.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
We're probably not talking enough about what a huge positive it is that Connor Prielipp has stayed healthy and held up. Now up over 120 IP this year (more than his entire career previously). Results up & down, but still feeling good enough to make starts in September.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Happy to see Ben Ross get the call as a September call-up for Twins. He’s had a really strong season between AA/AAA: .884 OPS, 30 doubles, 20 homers, 20 steals. Can play all over and and has .942 OPS vs LHP.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
From leadoff man Luke Keaschall to #9 hitter Victor Caratini, I took a shot at mapping out the Twins' starting lineup for next year. New @twinsdaily.com: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Envisioning the 2027 Twins Starting Lineup
Can the Twins turn their lineup into a true strength next year? A preliminary look at the lineup shows promise.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The Twins are pivoting from playoff chase to future-focused youth movement as Walker Jenkins joins Kaelen Culpepper on a team fading away from contention at the end of August. New Week in Review is live @twinsdaily.com twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: Sliding Into September
The Twins stumbled out of contention just as their top prospect arrived, shifting the focus from what might've been to what might be next.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The Twins took a very different approach to this year's trade deadline vs. the last, but the ensuring results in August have been the same. The ending of this story is yet to be written, but the hour is getting late. New @twinsdaily.com: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
A Radically Different Deadline Approach Has Led to the Same August Results for the Minnesota Twins
This year's post-deadline Twins are trending even worse than last year's dismantled roster, which is a major indictment.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Yeah, the uncomfortable reality is that the Twins were gonna lose last night's game with or without Walker Jenkins. Rotation is unreliable, bullpen is falling apart, too many nightly no-shows in the lineup.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This year’s Twins team in August, after buying at the deadline: 8-15 Last year’s team at this point in August, after selling massively at the deadline: 9-15
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
What the Twins really needed was a sweep in Sacramento, or at minimum a series win. They wilted. Now they must go 22-6 to reach 86 wins (minimum required to get an AL WC spot in the new playoff format) and 18-10 merely finish with a winning record.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Josh Bell is up to 80 RBIs on the season after driving in 3 last night. Most RBIs by a Twins hitter in the past 5 seasons: 1. Buxton (2025) - 83 2. Bell (2026) - 80 3. Santana (2024) - 71 4. Lee (2026) - 69 5. Kepler (2023) - 66 6. Miranda (2022) - 66 7. Clemens (2026) - 66
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Zebby Matthews has quietly rounded into form and it’s been absolutely massive for a struggling rotation. Since getting bombed by the Cubs for 10 runs on 7/19, he’s got a 3.74 ERA with only 4 HR allowed in 6 starts. 5+ IP each time out. Twins have gone 5-1.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Another week of Twins baseball that featured some genuinely great moments, but ultimately ended in frustration and stasis. If they're going to make a run, they need to do it now, and fortunately the schedule is set up for it. twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: Wild Card Whiplash
A sweep of Atlanta briefly put Minnesota in playoff position. A sweep by San Diego sent them right back into the crowd.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The Twins surged back into playoff position with their best series of the season, only to give it all back over the weekend in San Diego. They continue to spin their wheels. The good news: their schedule is about to soften up. New Week in Review is live at @twinsdaily.com
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: Wild Card Whiplash
A sweep of Atlanta briefly put Minnesota in playoff position. A sweep by San Diego sent them right back into the crowd.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Twins followed maybe their worst series of the year against the Phillies with maybe their best series of the year against the Braves. That was a hell of a showing against a high-quality club. Keeping us on our toes!
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Luke Keaschall, who has the 3rd highest OBP in baseball over the past two months (.419), is batting leadoff for the first time all season tonight.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Lowest win total required to reach AL playoffs since 3-WC system started: 2025 - 87 2024 - 86 2023 - 89 2022 - 86 To reach 86 wins, the Twins will need to finish 26-11. But it's possible someone sneaks in with like 83 this year.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Another rough week ended in heartbreaking fashion for the Twins, who are still alive but sinking in the AL postseason race. Can they rebound from this one? New Week in Review is live at @twinsdaily.com twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: The Dream Is Fading
The Weekly Nutshell: The Twins need to get on a run. The past week was the latest instance of their inability to do so. It's a recurring cycle: one impressive breakout game is followed by one or two n...
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
The Twins need to play at a 100-win pace in the final 6 weeks to finish above .500. It's over.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Cory Provus just referenced this great @parkerhageman.bsky.social article on the Twins broadcast, as Dean Kremer pieces together yet another gem against the Phillies: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
What Happens When the Twins Get Their Hands on a Pitcher
Baseball has released a litany of statistics that has changed the way fans can scout and analyze the game. We now have access to information that, not all that long ago, would have been locked away in...
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Kody Clemens' occasional clutch moments – while definitely memorable – have masked what a detriment he's been to the lineup. Batting .199 over the past two months with a .246 OBP that ranks dead last among 168 qualified hitters. And constantly hitting in middle of order.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Top Twins hitters by wOBA over the past 2 months (since 6/17): 1. Keaschall: .390 2. Bell: .357 3. Larnach: .357 4. Jeffers: .354 5. Lewis: .345 Buxton is slashing .213/.273/.338 with a negative WAR during this span, sandwiched between Roden and Kreidler in wOBA 😑
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Luke Keaschall since the start of May: .292/.402/.420 (.822 OPS) Luke Keaschall last year: .302/.382/.445 (.827 OPS) After shaking off a bad April, he's basically been the same hitter he was as a rookie. And he's batting .341 with a 1.000+ OPS in August.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Hope the prime motivation for activating Buxton is his readiness, and not his desire to participate in the unique opportunity that is the Field of Dreams Game. The latter is understandable (esp after sitting out the ASG) but another setback at this point would be costly.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Yoendrys Gomez joined a Twins team that had nothing resembling a closer, and has since converted 16 of 16 save attempts. Awesome stuff.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Gonna be fascinating to see how the Twins handle their tricky upcoming situation with Emmanuel Rodriguez, who they'll have little choice but to throw into the fire next spring. Wrote about it at @twinsdaily.com: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
twinsdaily.com
Out of Patience: Emmanuel Rodriguez's Lack of Remaining Options Is a Problem
A tricky situation is looming with one of the Twins' best and most polarizing prospects.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Think I've seen enough of Alan Roden. If you're truly pushing for a playoff spot it's silly to have him starting games in right field while Walker Jenkins is in Triple-A.
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Nick Nelson @nicknelson.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
The Twins are missing their two biggest stars and the offense is sputtering. They've lost 6 of 8 in August, and urgency builds as they return home looking to get right. Can Kaelen Culpepper provide a jolt? Will Walker Jenkins join him soon? New Week in Review is live at @twinsdaily.com
twinsdaily.com
Week in Review: Big Moves, Little Momentum
The Twins bolstered their pitching staff at the deadline, but a sputtering offense and sidelined stars have them losing ground in the playoff race.
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