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Matt Wallner
Matt Wallner
Matt Wallner
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Matthew John Wallner (born December 12, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Key Information

Born and raised in Forest Lake, Minnesota, Wallner played three years of college baseball at the University of Southern Mississippi. He finished his collegiate career as Southern Mississippi's all-time home run leader before the Minnesota Twins selected him with the 39th overall selection of the 2019 MLB draft. He played in their minor league system for four years before making his MLB debut in 2022.

Amateur career

[edit]

Wallner played high school baseball at Forest Lake Area High School in Forest Lake, Minnesota. During his senior season, he was named Minnesota's Mr. Baseball after recording a 7-1 pitching record with a 0.95 ERA and batting .382 with ten home runs.[1][2] He originally committed to play college baseball at the University of North Dakota,[3] but the school dropped their baseball program in 2016, causing Wallner to sign with the University of Southern Mississippi.[4][5] Following his high school graduation, Wallner was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 32nd round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.[6] However, he did not sign with the organization, instead choosing to honor his commitment to Southern Miss.

In 2017, as a freshman at USM, Wallner hit .336 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs in 66 games. He also appeared in nine games out of the bullpen, compiling a 1.84 ERA.[7] He was named conference Freshman of the Year by Conference USA (C-USA), Baseball America, and D1Baseball.com.[8][9] He also garnered Freshman Hitter of the Year honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.[10] In addition, he was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team as well as the C-USA Second Team, and was also named a Freshman All-American by multiple outlets including the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.[11][12]

As a sophomore in 2018, Wallner batted .351 with 16 home runs and 67 RBIs in 62 games while recording a 7.98 ERA in 14+2⁄3 innings.[13][14] He was named to the C-USA First Team and once again was named an All-American by various publications.[15][16] Following the season, he played for USA Baseball as a member of the Collegiate National Team.[17] He also played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Falmouth Commodores.[18][19]

Prior to the 2019 season, Wallner was named a preseason All-American by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, D1Baseball.com and Perfect Game.[20][21] During the year, he hit his 54th career home run, becoming USM's all-time record holder.[22] Wallner batted .323 with 23 home runs and sixty RBIs for the season, earning a spot on the C-USA First Team.[23][24] He finished his collegiate career with a school record 58 home runs.[25]

Professional career

[edit]

Minor leagues

[edit]
Wallner, with the St. Paul Saints (Triple-A) during a game against the Omaha Storm Chasers on August 6, 2022.

The Minnesota Twins selected Wallner with the 39th overall pick in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[26][27] He signed for $1.8 million, and was assigned to the Elizabethton Twins of the Rookie-level Appalachian League.[28][29] He was promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single-A Midwest League in August.[30] Over 65 games between the two clubs, Wallner slashed .258/.357/.452 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs.[31] He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[32]

To begin the 2021 season, Wallner returned to Cedar Rapids, now members of the High-A Central.[33] In late May, he was placed on the injured list with a right wrist sprain.[34] It was later revealed that he broke a hamate bone and required surgery.[35] He was activated on July 20.[36] Over 68 games with Cedar Rapids, Wallner slashed .265/.350/.504 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs.[37] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions after the season.[38] Wallner was assigned to the Wichita Wind Surge of the Double-A Texas League to begin the 2022 season.[39] He was selected to represent the Twins at the 2022 All-Star Futures Game.[40] In mid-July, he was promoted to the St. Paul Saints of the Triple-A International League.[41] Over 128 games played between Wichita and St. Paul, he slashed .277/.412/.541 in 458 at bats with 27 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 32 doubles, and was third in the minor leagues with 97 walks.[42][43]

Major leagues

[edit]
Wallner in St.Louis, 2025.

On September 17, 2022 the Twins selected Wallner's contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time.[44] He made his MLB debut that night, hitting a solo home run off of Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians for his first MLB hit.[45] Over 57 at-bats for the Twins in 2022, Wallner hit .228 with two home runs and ten RBI.[46]

Wallner was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to begin the 2023 season.[47] He was called up to the majors for the first time in early April and went hitless in six games between April 8–15. He was recalled from Triple-A again on May 23 after Trevor Larnach contracted pneumonia.[48] Over 76 games for Minnesota in 2023, Wallner batted .249 with 14 home runs and 41 RBI. With St. Paul, he hit .291 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI across 67 games.[49]

Wallner played in 75 games for Minnesota in 2024 and hit .259 with 13 home runs and 37 RBI, missing the end of the season due to an oblique strain.[50] He also played in 67 games for St. Paul, and batted .259 with 19 home runs and 53 RBI.[51]

Wallner opened the 2025 season as Minnesota's starting right fielder.[52] He missed over a month during the season due a hamstring strain.[53] In 104 appearances for Minnesota, Wallner batted .202/.311/.464 with 22 home runs, 40 RBI, and four stolen bases. On September 19, 2025, Wallner was placed on the injured list due to a right oblique strain, ending his season.[54]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Matt Wallner

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Matt Wallner is an American professional baseball outfielder for the of (MLB). Born on December 12, 1997, in , Wallner attended Forest Lake High School before playing for the from 2017 to 2019. During his college career, he set the program's all-time record with 58, while posting a .351 , 16 home runs, and 67 RBIs in his sophomore year of 2018, followed by a .300 average, 23 home runs, and 63 RBIs in 2019. The Twins selected him in the Competitive Balance Round A of the 2019 MLB Draft with the 39th overall pick, signing him to a $1.8 million bonus. Wallner made his MLB debut on September 17, 2022, after progressing through the Twins' system, where he recorded an .810 and 8 home runs across 252 at-bats in 2019. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 220 pounds, the left-handed batter and right-handed thrower has primarily played right field, though he has also seen time in left and center. Through the 2025 season, his MLB career statistics include a .231 , 51 home runs, 128 RBIs, and an .829 over 273 games, highlighted by his power-hitting ability despite a high rate. In 2025, Wallner appeared in 104 games for the Twins, slashing .202/.344/.432 with 22 home runs and 40 RBIs, tying for 65th in MLB home runs before a right oblique strain sidelined him on the 10-day retroactive to September 18, effectively ending his season. Known for his raw power and patient approach at the plate, Wallner has emerged as a promising but streaky contributor in the Twins' , with ongoing efforts to refine his swing mechanics to reduce whiffs on pitches in the .

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Matthew Wallner was born on December 12, 1997, in . He grew up in a sports-oriented family, with his parents John and Maggie Wallner encouraging athletic pursuits from a young age. His brother, Luke Wallner, also pursued , playing at the at Little Rock. Wallner developed an early interest in multiple sports, participating in and through local leagues starting in elementary school. He began playing T-ball in and transitioned to competitive by , often practicing in the backyard with his brothers. The Forest Lake community, nestled in Minnesota's landscape of lakes and , played a key role in nurturing Wallner's passion for . Family outings to games at the Metrodome further fueled his enthusiasm, embedding the sport deeply in his upbringing.

High school career

Wallner attended Forest Lake High School in , graduating in 2016. He was a multi-sport , serving as a key contributor on the varsity and teams. In , Wallner excelled as an and . During his senior season in 2016, he batted .382 with 10 home runs and 18 extra-base hits among his 29 total hits, while posting a 7-1 record on the mound with a 0.95 ERA and 95 strikeouts. His performance earned him All-State honors, the Pioneer Press East Metro Player of the Year award, and the prestigious title. As a junior, he had been named All-Conference. Wallner initially committed to play college baseball at the University of North Dakota during his junior year, but after the program was discontinued in 2016, he transferred his commitment to the University of Southern Mississippi.

College career

Wallner enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2017, where he played college baseball for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles over three seasons, appearing in all 189 games during his tenure. He committed to the program following a standout high school career that drew interest from multiple Division I schools. Over his collegiate career, Wallner posted a .337 batting average with 58 home runs and 190 RBIs, establishing himself as one of the program's most prolific power hitters. As a in 2017, Wallner hit .336 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs in 66 games, setting Southern Miss freshman records for homers and RBIs while also pitching in nine appearances with a 1.84 . His performance earned him national freshman honors, including Baseball America Freshman of the Year and second-team recognition, as well as a spot on Collegiate Baseball's Freshman All-American Team. In his sophomore year of 2018, Wallner improved to a .351 , adding 16 home runs and 67 RBIs across 62 games, while drawing 48 walks for a .474 . He received All-Conference honors and multiple All-American selections, including second-team accolades from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). Wallner's junior season in 2019 saw him bat .323 with a team-high 23 and 60 RBIs in 61 games, leading the Golden Eagles to a Tournament championship. His power output ranked fifth nationally in Division I, contributing to first-team honors from Baseball America and additional recognition from the NCBWA and ABCA. Wallner concluded his college career as Southern Miss's all-time leader and the most decorated player in program history, with All-American nods across all three seasons.

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

Wallner was selected by the Minnesota Twins with the 39th overall pick in the Competitive Balance Round A of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi. He signed with the Twins on June 17, 2019, receiving a $1.8 million signing bonus, which was slightly below the $1,906,800 slot value for his draft position. Wallner began his professional career in 2019 with the Rookie-level of the , where he hit .269 with six home runs in 56 games before earning a late-season promotion to the Single-A of the . Overall that year, he appeared in 65 games across both levels, batting .258 with eight home runs, 21 doubles, and 80 strikeouts in 291 plate appearances. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the , causing Wallner to miss that year of development. In 2021, Wallner advanced to the High-A of the High-A Central League, where he posted a .264 average with 15 home runs in 66 games, contributing to an overall line of .265 with 15 home runs and 100 s in 300 plate appearances across two levels. He received brief instructional time with the Rookie-level FCL Twins during the season. Wallner's power potential was evident, though his high rate—around 33%—remained a point of focus in his development. Wallner opened the 2022 season at Double-A with the of the , batting .299 with 21 s in 78 games before a midseason promotion to Triple-A of the . In 50 games with , he hit .247 with 6 s, finishing the year with a combined .277 average, 27 s, 32 doubles, and a .953 OPS over 128 games. During his time in Wichita, Wallner earned Texas League Player of the Week honors for the week ending June 26, after going 7-for-16 with three s and six RBI. He also participated in the 2022 MLB , where he hit a . Across three minor league seasons (2019, 2021–2022), Wallner maintained a .269 with 50 home runs, 67 doubles, and 350 s in 1,133 plate appearances, showcasing elite power (a .515 ) but a persistent high rate exceeding 29%. His progression through the Twins' system was steady, with promotions each year reflecting organizational confidence in his tools, and he avoided significant injuries prior to his major league call-up in September 2022.

Major League debut and early seasons

Wallner made his debut on September 17, 2022, pinch-hitting for the in the eighth inning of a game against the at . In his first at-bat, he launched a solo home run to center field off starting pitcher [Shane Bieber](/page/Shane Bieber), marking both his first career hit and his first Major League home run; the 414-foot drive provided the Twins' only run in a 5-1 loss during the first game of a doubleheader. Over the remainder of the 2022 season, Wallner appeared in 18 games for the Twins, primarily as a with occasional stints as a . He batted .228 with 13 hits in 57 at-bats, including three doubles, two home runs, and 10 RBIs, while posting a .323 and striking out in 25 of 65 plate appearances. His brief debut showcased the raw power that had defined his career, though he struggled with consistent contact against Major League pitching. Wallner began the 2023 season assigned to Triple-A but earned his first call-up of the year on amid injuries on the Twins' roster. In his initial stint, he went hitless in six games over a week, managing just one walk in 15 plate appearances before being optioned back to the minors on April 15 to make room for other returns. Recalled again on May 23, he recorded his first hit and home run of the season four days later—a solo shot off Toronto Blue Jays reliever in the sixth inning of a 9-7 Twins victory—before another optioning on May 29 due to ongoing adjustment challenges and limited at-bats. These early stints limited him to 11 games before the break, where he primarily served as a and , displaying evident power potential but facing difficulties with swing-and-miss issues against big-league velocity and breaking balls.

Major League career

2023 season

Wallner entered the 2023 season as one of the ' top prospects, fresh off being named the organization's Player of the Year in 2022 after hitting .277 with 27 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A. His major league experience from a late-2022 debut stint had provided early confidence, though he spent the initial months refining his approach in Triple-A St. Paul. The Twins recalled him briefly on April 8, optioned him six days later, brought him back on May 23, and sent him down again on May 29 before his final promotion on July 15, where he remained for the rest of the year. In 76 games, primarily as a left and , Wallner established himself as a regular contributor in the outfield, slashing .249/.370/.507 with 14 home runs, 41 RBI, and an .877 while posting a 2.2 . His power stood out, particularly in the second half after securing consistent playing time, where he hit .256 with nine of his home runs and drew walks at a 14.6% clip to boost his . However, a high strikeout rate of 31.5% highlighted ongoing swing-and-miss issues, with 80 whiffs in 254 plate appearances. Wallner's left-handed bat added lefty power to the lineup, often platooning against right-handers and providing defensive versatility in the corners. Wallner's performance played a key role in the Twins' AL Central division title push, as he delivered clutch hits including a go-ahead grand slam against the Detroit Tigers on August 15 that fueled a 5-3 victory and another grand slam on September 26 against the , helping secure a 5-0 lead in a crucial late-season win. These moments exemplified his ability to impact games with extra-base power, contributing to Minnesota's 87-75 record and first division crown since 2019. He was recognized as part of the Twins' standout rookie class alongside and , earning a spot on Baseball America's 2023 All-Rookie Team. In the postseason, Wallner's role was limited during the Twins' ALDS sweep by the Houston Astros, appearing in all five games but going 0-for-8 with eight s in 12 plate appearances. Despite the quiet finish, his regular-season emergence signaled breakout potential for the young .

2024 season

In , Matt Wallner appeared in 75 games for the , posting a .259 with 13 home runs, 37 RBIs, and an .894 . This marked a notable improvement in his plate discipline and overall efficiency compared to his 2023 rookie season, where he struggled with a 31.5% rate; Wallner's K% dipped slightly to 36.4% while maintaining strong power output. His enhanced approach at the plate, informed by lessons from prior injuries, allowed for better contact and a higher of .372. Wallner solidified his role as a versatile , starting 34 games in right field and 24 in left field, often serving as a key platoon option against right-handed pitchers. The Twins utilized his left-handed bat effectively in matchups, where he slashed .295/.400/.614, contributing to lineup depth amid rotations. His defensive contributions in the corners included several standout throws, including a notable assist on a runner at second base. Among his highlights, Wallner belted 13 home runs, including a 441-foot solo shot on July 24 against the Philadelphia Phillies that provided an early lead. He also delivered a go-ahead three-run homer on August 9 versus the Cleveland Guardians, helping secure a doubleheader sweep during a competitive stretch for the Twins. These moments underscored his power potential, as he ranked in the 80th percentile for barrel rate among qualified hitters. Wallner faced a setback late in the season, landing on the 10-day on September 25 with a left oblique strain after exiting a game against the , which ended his campaign. Despite the injury, he played a role in the Twins' early contention efforts, as the team hovered near the AL playoff picture before a late collapse that left them at 82-80 and out of the postseason. Advanced metrics highlighted Wallner's power development, with a 45.5% hard-hit rate that placed him in the 85th league-wide, reflecting consistent contact quality on balls in play. This improvement in exit velocity and launch angle contributed to his .523 , demonstrating growth in translating raw strength into productive at-bats.

2025 season

Wallner entered the 2025 season as the ' primary , logging 104 games and 336 at-bats while posting a .202 , 22 home runs, 40 RBIs, and a .776 . His performance marked a dip in average from .259 in 2024, but he maintained elite power output, .464 and barreling 13.8% of batted balls. A 29.1% strikeout rate highlighted persistent contact challenges, with 114 whiffs in 392 plate appearances, though his hard-hit rate reached 45.5%. The season featured an uneven progression, beginning with a sluggish March (.091 average in 11 at-bats) before a rebound in (.304 average, 1 in 46 at-bats). Wallner then endured slumps in June (.159 average, 5 home runs) and September (.163 average, 2 home runs), but ignited a hot streak in July (.224 average, 6 home runs in 67 at-bats). He suffered a left hamstring strain in mid-April that sidelined him for approximately six weeks until late May, and later a left oblique strain placed him on the 10-day injured list on September 19 (retroactive to September 18), effectively ending his season. Many of his home runs were solo shots, underscoring his raw power in a lineup lacking consistent support. Amid the Twins' disappointing 70-92 campaign, which resulted in a fourth-place AL Central finish and playoff elimination, Wallner's 22 home runs ranked second on the team behind Byron Buxton's 35. This output built on his prior seasons' power foundation, providing a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year marked by high whiff rates but effective that hinted at future adjustments. Analysts noted the peculiar balance: Wallner's elite exit velocity (91 mph ) and barrel rate sustained production despite the low and elevated strikeouts.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/matt-wallner-670242
  2. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/4428-matt-wallner/
  3. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/college.php?p=wallnma01
  4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wallne000mat
  5. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wallnma01.shtml
  6. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/42427/matt-wallner
  7. https://www.milb.com/player/matt-wallner-670242
  8. https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/onsi/minnesota-twins-news/twins-matt-wallner-lands-on-il-likely-ending-his-strange-season
  9. https://www.twincities.com/2016/06/15/east-metro-baseball-player-of-the-year-matt-wallner-of-forest-lake/
  10. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/227221/
  11. https://twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/minnesota-twins/minnesota-made-matt-wallner-r10085/
  12. https://www.hometownsource.com/forest_lake_times/news/matt-wallner-a-kid-with-a-dream/article_8c00f468-b66a-11ee-b4e8-4b38ffaad46c.html
  13. https://hs.flaschools.org/activities/hall-of-fame/2023-inductees
  14. https://www.milb.com/news/the-future-is-now-saints-have-two-siriusxm-future-game-all-stars-on-roster-as-tw
  15. https://stats.mnbaseballhub.com/news_article/show/666179
  16. https://www.sunherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/patrick-magee/article139910758.html
  17. https://southernmiss.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-wallner/229
  18. https://southernmiss.com/news/2017/7/6/Matt_Wallner_Named_D1Baseball_com_Freshman_of_the_Year
  19. https://www.wdam.com/2019/06/10/usms-wallner-named-st-team-all-america/
  20. https://www.sunherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/university-of-southern-mississippi/article154891674.html
  21. https://www.abca.org/ABCA/ABCA/Awards/All-Americans/NCAA_Division_I/2018.aspx
  22. https://conferenceusa.com/news/2018/5/22/baseball-base-2018-awards-announced.aspx
  23. https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-college-baseball-all-americans/
  24. https://www.abca.org/ABCA/ABCA/Awards/All-Americans/NCAA_Division_I/2019.aspx
  25. https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-wallner-agrees-to-deal-with-twins
  26. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/06/twins-sign-supplemental-first-rounder-matt-wallner.html
  27. https://twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/twins-minor-league-news-rumors/twins-2019-short-season-hitter-of-the-year-r8379/
  28. https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-wallner-hits-home-run-for-first-mlb-hit
  29. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=wallnma01&t=b&year=2022
  30. https://www.mlb.com/video/matt-wallner-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-u8m5dw
  31. https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/player/matt-wallner-91908/splits?seasonYear=2023
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