The Minnesota Twins 2025 season has so far been a roller coaster ride of incredible highs and gut-wrenching lows. It began with their dismal April when the starting pitchers performed well but could not find any run support. Next, we had the electrifying May, where they steamrolled to 13 straight wins as everything seemed to be coming together. And finally, their “June Swoon,” which saw them drop 13 out of 16 games in a total team collapse.

Midseason is an opportune time to look ahead and plan how to accentuate your assets and fortify areas where help is needed. However, it’s also time to look back and reflect on the season’s first half to examine which players excelled, who disappointed, and who surprised us over the past three months. Thus, the following is a list of the Twins’ first-half award winners in numerous categories.

Most Valuable Twin: Byron Buxton

I started with the easy one. Even a casual observer could pick out the Twins’ most valuable first-half performer. Center fielder Byron Buxton has excelled in every facet of the game in 2025. He ranks third in all of baseball in slugging percentage (.575) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.927) and tied for third in runs scored (53). He ranks fifth in Major League Baseball (MLB) statistics in home runs (19) and tied for sixth in RBI (51).

He is also 15 of 15 in stolen base attempts, and his total is tied for the seventh highest in MLB this season. And just as significantly for the Twins, he is back to playing like the Gold Glove outfielder he has always been. Two seasons ago, when he was forced to DH due to a pair of sore knees, it appeared to all that his reign as the premier center fielder in the game had come and gone. But Minnesota fans are joyous that he has returned to his highlight reel ways on defense.

Best Starting Pitcher: Joe Ryan

While everything has collapsed around him, Joe Ryan has kept his cool as he tries to help his Twins’ teammates right the ship. He leads the team in wins (8), innings pitched (91.1), strikeouts (104), and WHIP (.89). But more importantly, last Wednesday, with Minnesota trying to end a 0-5 skid, Ryan pitched six innings of shutout ball to lead his team to a 2-0 victory against the Mariners at Target Field.

With Pablo Lopez out until perhaps September, Zebby Matthews continuing to mend, and Bailey Ober still trying to find his fastball, Ryan must stay on top of his game if the Twins want to remain in playoff contention. Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said this about Ryan after his gem against the Mariners.

“I think he likes being the man and I think he likes having the ball in his hands. that always holds true, but the way he approached his outing today, the way he was so composed, but also pretty electric, the way he threw the ball was just very impressive beginning to end.”

Best Reliever: Danny Coulombe

The easy pick here, of course, is closer Jhoan Duran, and he has pitched well when Minnesota has been able to retain a lead until the ninth inning. But my underdog pick for best Twins reliever in 2025 is Danny Coulombe. The wily lefty has been a godsend to the team as he did not surrender an earned run until a June 13th game against the Houston Astros.

He has thrown 24 strikeouts in 22 innings and carries an incredible ERA of 0.82 and a matching WHIP of 0.86. Baldelli has so much faith in Coulombe that he used him as an opener in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers last Sunday.

Most Disappointing Twin: Carlos Correa

What a disappointing year it has been for Twins shortstop Carlos Correa. Finally healthy after battling plantar fasciitis injuries the past two seasons, Correa has been mired in a season-long slump. Although he has shown increased power in his swing this past week, he is still batting just .259 with seven home runs and 28 RBI. This from a player who (along with Buxton and Royce Lewis) was counted on to provide the offensive punch for Minnesota.

And speaking of Mr. Lewis, he is player 1a in this category. On the injured list for the second time this season with a soft tissue injury, he also endured a lengthy slump that he was starting to break out of when he re-injured himself. The Twins are left to wonder if they will ever have a healthy Lewis for an extended period of time.

Best Newcomer: Harrison Bader

Ty France has produced some clutch hits this year for Minnesota. Coulombe has provided the team with a consistent lefthanded presence in the Minnesota bullpen. And Kody Clemens has provided some heroic moments for Minnesota when they needed them most. However, the newcomer who has made the biggest impact on the team is outfielder Harrison Bader.

The Glove Glover has played outstanding defense in both left and center field, and with his play, he has forced his way into the everyday starting lineup. His seven home runs have been clutch in nature, and he adds some speed to the team, as witnessed by his excellent defensive play and seven stolen bases. He has far exceeded expectations after some down offensive years, and the Twins will look for him to continue his outstanding play in the season’s second half.

The Path Forward

The Twins will need a healthy Buxton, a rejuvenated Correa, and some better health to stay in the American League playoff hunt. Despite their inconsistencies this year, they remain very much in contention for a wild-card spot. However, with a limited payroll, they will have to rely on the players at hand to carry them to a successful season.