Trevor Larnach 2021 Outlook: Power Bat Stuck Behind Significant Depth
4 years agoLarnach's 2021 outlook would be a lot rosier if there weren't so many talented players to push past in hopes of receiving meaningful playing time. With the assumption that DH Nelson Cruz finds his way back to Minnesota, left field is the only unsettled position on the club. With fellow rookies Alex Kirilloff and underrated Brent Rooker a step ahead of Larnach (as well as a few other less talented players including Jake Cave), it will be a waiting game for the former first-round pick. Had the 2020 minor league season not been wiped out, he may have already forced his way to the Majors. But with just 43 games of experience above A-ball, there is no reason for the Twins to rush this slugger. Larnach has massive raw power and the potential to eventually hit 30 homers in the Majors but he went deep just 13 times in 2019 in part because he hit too many balls on the ground. He's hit for a high average at every stop of his career but as a slow-footed, corner outfielder he's not going to maintain .380 BABIPs for long — even if he hits the ball really, really hard. Larnach should settle in as a high on-base, 30-homer slugger who produces an average in the .260-.280 range, which makes him a very valuable dynasty prospect. The Twins' depth will limit him to an intriguing 2021 redraft waiver target.