Twins infielder Ryan Fitzgerald is receiving a major league opportunity largely due to the Twins’ trade deadline fire sale that resulted in nearly 40% of Minnesota’s roster being gutted.

Fitzgerald, 31, is a longtime minor leaguer who previously played independent ball and didn’t make his Major League debut until May of this season due to shortstop Carlos Correa suffering a concussion. Fitzgerald didn’t get much of an opportunity to prove himself in his first major league stint, going 0-for-3 before being optioned back to Triple-A St. Paul. However, he has recently been given a longer look at the big league level.

Twins infielder Ryan Fitzgerald is making his mark in the majors after nearly a decade in the minor leagues

The Twins recalled Fitzgerald from the Saints one day after the trade deadline, and although he hasn’t been playing every day, the journeyman infielder has been producing at a high level in his limited action for the Twins.

After going 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a single against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, Fitzgerald is slashing .258/.324/.548 for a 138 wRC+ with three home runs, eight RBIs and eight runs in 34 plate appearances for Minnesota.

Fitzgerald went undrafted out of Creighton in 2016 and played a year of independent ball before spending six seasons in the Boston Red Sox’ system and one with the Kansas City Royals organization. The Twins signed the longtime minor leaguer to a minor league deal this past offseason. In seven minor league seasons, Fitzgerald has hit .258/.338/.432 with 76 home runs and 378 RBIs over 708 games.

Beyond the Twins trading nearly half of their team, the main reason Fitzgerald has been given his opportunity in the major leagues is because he has taken his game to the next level with Triple-A St. Paul this season. In 59 games for the Saints this year, Fitzgerald has slashed .277/.367/.469 for a 119 wRC+ with seven homers, 31 RBIs, 30 runs and five stolen bases over 245 plate appearances.

The Twins likely will have a tough time fitting Fitzgerald on the roster next season, as top prospects Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Kaelen Culpepper will likely make their MLB debuts at some point in 2026, and Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey may look to the free agent market for a veteran infielder with more major league experience.

However, if the Twins have an extra roster spot, Fitzgerald should be considered due to his performance this season.