The Hosken Powell Memorial Right Field Rankings
Introducing “Twins Top Ten”
Over the past few months, I’ve been taking a weekly look at the history of each position on the diamond and figuring out who is the best of the best since the franchise moved to Minnesota. This means that only players from 1961-on will be considered, but I will be taking into account their entire tenures with the franchise for those who moved along with the team. You can find prior entries in the series linked below. Next Up: Right Fielders!
- Starting Pitchers
- Relief Pitchers
- Catchers
- First Basemen
- Second Basemen
- Third Basemen
- Shortstops
- Left Fielders
- Center Fielders
The Best Right Fielders in Twins History
We all know the little league stereotype of right field, but the Twins have boasted some of the game’s best corner guys over their history. To determine who the top right fielders in Twins history are, I’ll be looking at a variety of criteria, including years with the team, number of games, bWAR, OPS+ (to compare different eras of baseball), home runs, stolen bases, defensive assists, defensive WAR, and accolades. All stats are for Twins years only, and in right field only. All players considered had more appearances in center than at any other position for the team. Who are the top ten in Twins history (according to me)?
10. Dustan Mohr (2001-2003)
3 Years – 261 Games – 2.4 bWAR – 91 OPS+ – 22 HR – 12 SB – 4 A – 0.0 dWAR
I didn’t say this list would be a deep one.
9. Hosken Powell (1978-1981)
4 Years – 442 Games – 2.3 bWAR – 83 OPS+ – 13 HR – 37 SB – 27 A – -1.2 dWAR
To be perfectly honest, I do not know why Twinkie Town has “Hosken Powell Memorial Link Dumps”, but it does make me chuckle whenever it comes up. Powell was serviceable in right field and at the plate with the Twins, but was out of the majors by 1984.
8. Bobby Darwin (1972-1975)
4 Years – 490 Games – 5.3 bWAR – 107 OPS+ – 70 HR – 10 SB – 27 A – -3.7 dWAR
Bobby Darwin had a few slightly above-average seasons for the Twins, but led the league in strikeouts three out of the four years. In one of those years, he had 127; 82 batters had at least 127 strikeouts in 2024.
7. Dan Ford (1975-1978)
4 Years – 570 Games – 6.8 bWAR – 114 OPS+ – 57 HR – 36 SB – 16 A – -5.1 dWAR
“Disco Dan” Ford was an above-average batter every year with the Twins, providing some pop in the middle of the order before being traded for the legendary Danny Goodwin and Ron Jackson.
6. Matt Lawton (1995-2001)
7 Years – 771 Games – 11.4 bWAR – 107 OPS+ – 72 HR – 96 SB – 21 A – -4.5 dWAR – All-Star
Matt Lawton was rock-solid in both corner outfield spots for the Twins around the turn of the century, and was a charter member of the “Soul Patrol” outfield with Torii Hunter and Jacque Jones before being shipped away at the deadline in 2001. Lawton would go on to play a few solid years with Cleveland from 2002-2004.
5. Michael Cuddyer (2001-2011)
11 Years – 1139 Games – 12.8 bWAR – 111 OPS+ – 141 HR – 52 SB – 54 A – -10.1 dWAR – All-Star
Twins Hall of Famer and all-time nice guy Michael Cuddyer spent some time all over the diamond for the early-2000s squads, but was primarily a right fielder. He was not a great defender, but provided some additional pop in the middle of the order behind the M&M boys. Had a signature that Harmon Killebrew would be proud of, too.
4. Tom Brunansky (1982-1988)
7 Years – 916 Games – 16.1 bWAR – 109 OPS+ – 163 HR – 36 SB – 58 A – 1.2 dWAR – All-Star
Tom Brunansky’s stats were better than I expected. Bruno burst onto the scene in his first year with the Twins, posting 5.6 bWAR, and was a key power bat on the 1987 World Series team. He was infamously traded away for Tommy Herr in 1988 and would bounce around the league in the years following.
3. Max Kepler (2015-2024)
10 Years – 1072 Games – 20.7 bWAR – 102 OPS+ – 161 HR – 35 SB – 43 A – 2.7 dWAR
Max Kepler didn’t ever become a star during his time with the Twins, but he spent most of his time with the Twins just a tier below. Spectacular defense paired with a streaky, platoon-limited power bat in one handsome package that was beloved in Twins Territory for 10 years.
2. Bob Allison (1958-1970)
13 Years – 1541 Games – 34.1 bWAR – 127 OPS+ – 256 HR – 84 SB – 46 A – -5.2 dWAR – 3x All-Star, Rookie of the Year
While he isn’t in Cooperstown like some of his teammates, Bob Allison was a star on some loaded Twins teams. Allison spent time at all three outfield positions for the Twins, and brought a feared bat to the plate in some star-studded lineups. Like the next man on this list, Allison’s career may have been even better if it hadn’t been for injuries.
1. Tony Oliva (1962-1976)
15 Years – 1676 Games – 43.0 bWAR – 131 OPS+ – 220 HR – 86 SB – 70 A – -4.4 dWAR – Hall of Famer, 8x All-Star, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove, 3x Batting Champion
One of the most decorated players in franchise history, Tony O was one of the better pure hitters in MLB history. The Gold Glover held his own in the field as well, although debilitating leg injuries make you wonder what could’ve been had the DH position been introduced earlier in his career.
What do you think? Who did I miss? Who do I overrate, and who do I underrate? Let me know in the comments! I’ll be back next week with Designated Hitters.