The Twins announced that utilityman Ryan Kreidler has been claimed off waivers from the Pirates. Pittsburgh designated Kreidler for assignment two days ago. Minnesota’s 40-man roster count jumps from 38 to 39.
Kreidler, 28 next month, is a multi-positional player who hasn’t yet hit in limited chances the big leagues. He has appeared in the past four big league seasons but with a total of just 211 plate appearances over those four years. He struck out in 31.8% of those trips to the plate and produced a dismal .138/.208/.176 line.
His minor league numbers are naturally greater in quality and quantity. He has a .236/.342/.401 line and 106 wRC+ in 1,963 plate appearances in his minor league career. That includes a .238/.363/.389 line and 109 wRC+ in 401 plate appearances in 2025. If he could bring some more of that offense up to the majors, he could become a useful utility guy. He has experience at the three infield spots to the left of first base, as well as center and left field.
However, his grip on a roster spot with the Tigers was slipping. 2025 was his final option year, meaning he will be out of options going forward. The Tigers designated him for assignment in August when they selected left-hander Drew Sommers. The Pirates claimed him but put him back on the wire this week when they claimed outfielder Will Robertson.
The Twins have loads of questions about their roster going into the offseason. They underwent a big sell-off at the deadline, trading away many pieces, including infielder Carlos Correa and outfielder Harrison Bader. It’s possible they do some more rebuild-type moves this winter, which could include trading guys like Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner or Royce Lewis.
With so much uncertainty, it’s possible there will be a path for guys like Kreidler to fill in some of the open playing time. It’s also possible that the Twins put him back on waivers in the winter and hope that he clears so that they can keep him as non-roster depth.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bisig, Imagn Images
Why? Can he pitch, or is he just here to scare Royce over at 3b?
That’s a wild waiver claim
This guy can’t even hit in the minors
He was a good hitter before his big league promotion and before his major injuries. Definitely has some power. Not sure what happened, but my belief is that he was rushed to the big leagues. That’s when the strikeouts piled up. When he was demoted the final time by Detroit, he continued to strikeout in the minors. It’s too bad because he’s a plus defender, both on the infield and in the outfield.
When did have did he have good numbers? His first year of pro ball? Since then he has one partial season at .251 everywhere else was below that.
As mentioned, it was before his big promotion. In 2021, he hit .304 in his half season in AAA Toledo after being promoted from AA Erie. Between the two teams, he hit 22 homers. There was reason to be optimistic. But then, he missed almost two seasons due to injury (core muscle surgery and surgery on his broken index finger after HBP).
383 ops in 200+ pas. XD
There should be a complete transaction freeze in the playoffs
Not sure what Minnesota seems in Kreidler as he certainly will not become Kody Clemens 2.0
His minor league numbers are naturally greater
Notice Darragh did not say good. I do wish the guy well at St Paul as he is probably not going to make the team. It is still sad that players with this bad of numbers get a chance. There has to be someone else worthy.
Anybody check his defensive profile. It might explain some things.
Small sample size but every team can use a utility player.
But can he pitch as well as Jonah Bride?
Gonna be many games like that in 2026…..