The Minnesota Twins are in a gray area between rebuilding and winning now, but second baseman/outfielder Luke Keaschall exemplifies why the former option is best for the organization. The 23-year-old went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs in Thursday's 15-0 spring training win over the New York Yankees, an explosive outing after starting the spring 4-for-17 with two RBIs.

Keaschall's home run was a 395-foot solo shot to left center in the top of the third inning that gave Minnesota a 2-0 lead. Then, the California native hit an infield single that plated two runs after two errors by the Yankees in the fourth, and he hit a two-run single in the fifth.

Thursday wasn't the first time that Keaschall played well in the big leagues. The 6-foot, 190-pounder slashed .302/.382/.445 with four homers, 28 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases over 49 games last season, which earned him a First Team All-Rookie spot. He's making the Twins look smart for picking him 49th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft.

If young players like Keaschall and third baseman Royce Lewis keep playing well, it'll be obvious what the organization must do moving forward.

Twins Should Build Around Young Talent

Both Keaschall and Lewis have shown promise, but have yet to establish themselves as franchise cornerstones. The latter player has a career slash line of .252/.310/.762 with 46 homers and 156 RBIs over 258 career games since 2022 and has never had a fully healthy season. Meanwhile, Keaschall still needs to play a full big-league campaign.

But if at least one of those players breaks out in 2026, it will become even more obvious that the Twins should trade veteran stars Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton for young players. Both players are in their primes, and Ryan has a mutual option in 2027 while Buxton is under contract through 2028. It's unlikely that Minnesota will be ready to contend in that window, as it has little top-end talent outside of that duo. Starting pitcher Pablo Lopez is one of MLB's better hurlers, but he's out for 2026 due to a UCL tear in his right elbow.

If Minnesota deals those veterans for prospects and/or young big-leaguers, it could rebuild with a young squad led by Keaschall and/or Lewis. The Athletics are a model example, as shortstop Jacob Wilson and first baseman Nick Kurtz are now two of MLB's best young players after being drafted in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The A's aren't contending yet, but that duo provides a foundation.

Up next for the Twins is a spring training matchup with the Atlanta Braves on Friday at 6:05 p.m. ET.