The Minnesota Twins enter their series against the San Francisco Giants with a 1 1/2-game lead in the AL Central Division. Could increased patience at the plate be a key reason for Minnesota’s success thus far?
Twins batters are averaging 3.97 pitches per plate appearance this season, which is tied for fourth-best in the majors (the New York Yankees lead with 4.00 pitcher per PA).
In addition, Minnesota hitters have taken 55.3 percent of the pitches they’ve seen in 2017, which is the fourth-highest percentage in MLB.
Eleven of the current 13 Twins position players have taken at least 52 percent of pitches this season, led by Joe Mauer and Robbie Grossman, who are both over 60 percent.