The Road to The Show™: Trevor Larnach
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken to reach the brink of realizing his Major League dream. Here's a look at Minnesota Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach. For more player journeys on The Road to The Show, click here.
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken to reach the brink of realizing his Major League dream. Here's a look at Minnesota Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach. For more player journeys on The Road to The Show, click here.
The Oregon State team that won the College World Series in 2018 was loaded. Infielder Nick Madrigal was the fourth overall pick in that year's First-Year Player Draft and already has reached the Majors. Catcher Adley Rutschman was the No. 1 pick of the Draft the following spring. And outfielder Trevor Larnach was taken 20th overall by the Twins in 2018. He's now Minnesota's No. 3 prospect and ranked 80th overall.
At 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, Larnach is, in the words of Twins assistant general manager Jeremy Zoll, a "monster human." The left-handed hitting outfielder slugged .652 in his final season at Oregon State and made the switch to wood bats look simple when he arrived at Rookie-level Elizabethton in the Appalachian League in July 2018.
His brief 18-game stint with the E-Twins set the template for Larnach's future -- he hit .311/.413/.492, struck out 11 times while drawing 10 walks and drove in 16 runs. He's a run producer who also can get on base, and he continued to prove that after a promotion to Class A Cedar Rapids in the Midwest League to wrap up the season.
Larnach opened 2019, his first full season, with Class A Advanced Fort Myers in the Florida State League and got off to a slow start. By the end of April, he was batting just .244/.297/.322, but when the calendar flipped to May, his production did as well. The California native, then 22, hit .371/.456/.619 with four homers over 26 games that month. On May 29, Larnach went 3-for-4 with a homer, a double and a career-high five RBIs against the Florida Fire Frogs, cementing his case as Player of the Month in the FSL.
What changed in May? According to the slugger, nothing.
"I'm just sticking with the process and doing what I always do," he told MiLB.com's Rob Terranova after the outburst. "Baseball is a game of failures, so if you fail, it's just part of the game. You just have to keep grinding through it and keep doing what you do best and just stick with your process."
Larnach cooled off only slightly in June and July before the Twins dispatched him to Double-A Pensacola in the Southern League.
It's said the jump to Double-A provides the biggest challenge to Minor Leaguers, but Larnach's production barely changed. While his strikeout rate jumped slightly and his batting average dipped to .295, he added enough power that his .842 OPS with the Blue Wahoos was the same as his mark with the Miracle earlier in the season. Larnach closed out the 2019 campaign by clubbing seven homers in 43 Southern League games and was named both Florida State League Player of the Year and Twins Minor League Player of the Year.
Larnach knows the Twins value power, and he's adjusted his mechanics slightly as pitchers approach him differently at higher levels. He outlined some of the changes to MiLB.com's Sam Dykstra just before Spring Training in 2020.
"Since I grew up, my dad always said to use the whole field, but where it got really emphasized was in the college game," Larnach said. "A player at my position with my height and my weight and my levers, college pitchers always wanted to stay away and get me to chase. They would throw changeups or even fastballs away. Now it's pro ball. They'll work you in, out, up, down all over the place. You can't rely on just looking away.
"I adjusted my load to make sure I was ready to hit, instead of being late and trying to react to where the ball was going. ... It was mostly the mechanics. I knew I had plenty of power to right field. I had worked so much on going to center and left that I got carried away. But once I got my timing down and my load slow and ready, I was ready for when teams pitched me inside. I was producing more to the pull side and getting exactly where I wanted to be."
Larnach certainly has the power to hit opposite-field homers -- indeed, four of the six long balls he hit for Fort Myers were left of center -- but pulling the ball a bit more is likely to generate even stronger results.
Zoll made much the same point. "Trevor’s biggest strength is his ability to drive the ball to the opposite-field gap and staying through the ball," he told MLB.com later in 2020 Spring Training. "He’s worked hard with everyone who has partnered with him on his ability to pull the baseball with authority and drive it in the air. It’s an area he’s continuing to hone in on, and we believe we’re seeing strides -- his homer the other day was over the batter’s eye in center field -- that are going to continue."
Larnach spent the summer at the Twins' alternate training site, but the lack of a Minor League season left it unclear how much further he's developed since last experiencing game action.
There's also a question of where Larnach fits on the Twins' 26-man roster. Due to his size, he's likely limited to a corner outfield role in the field. The Twins already feature Byron Buxton in center and Max Kepler and top Minnesota prospect Alex Kirilloff at the corners. The latter two hit left-handed, and while Kepler cooled off in the shortened 2020 season, he had a huge 2019 campaign. (Kirilloff also can play first, which is normally manned by Miguel Sanó.) Outfielder Eddie Rosario was non-tendered, creating a bit of space, but the return of Nelson Cruz cuts down on opportunities as a designated hitter.
It's a pleasant problem for the Twins to have. For Larnach, who turns 24 later this month, Spring Training will provide an opportunity to insinuate himself into Minnesota's plans.
John Parker is an editor for MiLB.com.
Ramirez Slams Fireflies to 11-Inning Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ramon Ramirez provided the pop, homering twice after the eighth inning in a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Augusta GreenJackets in 11 innings Saturday night at Segra Park. In the bottom of the 11th, Ramirez came to the plate with Asbel Gonzalez at third and Derlin Figueroa
Fireflies Backed By Big Swings, Strong Start in 5-2 Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used two home runs and a quality start from Yunior Marte to take Game 4 of their six-game set against the Augusta GreenJackets, winning 5-2 Friday night at Segra Park. Columbia jumped ahead in the bottom of the third inning. After Derlin Figueroa drew
Fireflies Fall Short 4-1 vs Augusta
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies received a strong, five-inning start from Hiro Wyatt, but fell short 4-1 vs the Augusta GreenJackets Thursday night at Segra Park. Columbia hopped on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Asbel Gonzalez and Derlin Figueroa hit back-to-back singles to start the
Shields Dazzles in Debut as Fireflies Win 20th of 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used an excellent outing from their pitching staff and a late Josi Novas blast to beat the Augusta GreenJackets 3-1 Wednesday night at Segra Park. David Shields was fantastic in his Carolina League debut. The southpaw spun four innings, wrung up five hitters and
$1 Beers Await at Segra Park Thursday
Buy Your Tickets Here!
We Reveal Our Beer Name & You Can Win Free Beer for a Year!
Get your tickets here!
Late Rally Not Enough as Fireflies Fall 8-6 in Extras
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies got a late rally to tie the game in the eighth, but ultimately lost 8-6 in 10 innings to the Augusta GreenJackets Tuesday night at Segra Park. Stone Russell got the rally started. The righty fell in a 1-2 hole before fouling off nine-consecutive pitches
Fireflies Late Rally Falls Short Sunday
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Fireflies rallied late, but fell short 3-2 to the Charleston RiverDogs Sunday night at The Joe. Columbia lost five of six games to Charleston this week, which marked their first six-game series loss of the 2025 season. The Fireflies got on the board in the top
Homestand Preview: May 13-18
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies have had a strong start to the 2025 season and at the quarter-pole, they are sitting in first place in the South Division. Cheer on the Fireflies as they defend their position against the Augusta GreenJackets at Segra Park in a six-game series. Ticket Links and
Early Offense Not Enough in 10-6 Loss
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Fireflies bats were hot early, but it wasn’t enough as the club fell 10-6 to the Charleston RiverDogs Saturday night at The Joe. Charleston drove ahead in the bottom of the fourth. Nathan Flewelling and J.D. Gonzalez hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. After recording
Marte Leads Way as Fireflies Hold on to 3-2 Win
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used five scoreless innings from Yunior Marte to lead the way in a 3-2 win over the Charleston RiverDogs Friday night at The Joe. Marte worked five strong innings, striking out a 2025 Fireflies-best nine RiverDogs to keep Charleston off the board. Marte wrung
5/9 Day Sale: Get 25% Off New Era Fitted Hats
It’s 5/9 Day—and we’re celebrating the iconic New Era 59FIFTY series, the same hat our Fireflies wear under the lights at Segra Park. Now’s your chance to own a piece of the game. Take 25% off all Fireflies New Era Fitted hats through 11:59 PM on May 11.
Fireflies Fall 5-1 in Charleston Thursday
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies scored first, but fell 5-1 to the Charleston RiverDogs Thursday evening at The Joe. The RiverDogs tied the game in the third and didn’t look back after. Theo Gillen provided the bulk of the scoring. He slapped an RBI single to left in the
Russell's Three-Hit Performance Not Enough in 3-2 Loss
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Stone Russell led the way offensively for Columbia, notching three hits, but the Fireflies fell short 3-2 to the Charleston RiverDogs Wednesday night at The Joe. The Fireflies cracked the score column first. Stone Russell lined a double to right field with one out. After that, Jorge
Fireworks with the SC Philharmonic Returns to Segra Park
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies and the South Carolina Philharmonic today announced that Fireworks with the Phil, presented by Prisma Health, is returning to Segra Park for the fifth annual Orchestral Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday July 2. The event will include a concert with the SC Philharmonic and
Fireflies Blanked 4-0 in Opener in Charleston
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies bats were silenced for a second-consecutive game as they fell to the Charleston RiverDogs 4-0 Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. Charleston got on the board in the bottom of the first inning. The RiverDogs scored a pair of unearned runs after
Gonzalez Named Carolina League Player of the Month
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, today announced that Asbel Gonzalez has been named the Carolina League Player of the Month for April. Gonzalez led the Carolina League in average (.398), hits (33), runs (23) and stolen bases (30) across April. The center fielder
Help Us Honor Our Heroes on Military Appreciation Night
Dear Fireflies Family & Faithful, On Friday, May 2 at 7:05 PM, we’re proud to host Military Appreciation Night at Segra Park — a special evening presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina with support from WIS 10. This night is about more than baseball. It’s our opportunity to honor
Fireflies Lose Pitcher's Duel, 1-0
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies wrapped up their six-game homestand Sunday evening in a 1-0 loss against the Hickory Crawdads at Segra Park. The 1-0 loss was the first 1-0 game since Columbia fell by that score to Charleston in September of 2024. Josh Hansell delivered one of his
Fireflies Bounce Hickory 10-0 on Bluey Night
Columbia, SC— Columbia had an offensive outburst and utlized a rain-shortened game to earn their first shutout of the season in a 10-0 victory in five innings against the Hickory Crawdads Saturday at Segra Park. The game started in a 1:15 minute rain delay before kicking-off. Then after the conclusion
Fireflies Use Novas Double, McNair Outburst in 7-5 Win
Columbia, SC— The Columbia Fireflies used a three-hit night from Brennon McNair and a three RBI double from Josi Novas to beat the Hickory Crawdads 7-5 at Segra Park Friday night. Following a one hour and fifty-four minute delay, the Fireflies bats warmed up quickly. The Fireflies loaded the bases
Acosta Plays Hero in 5-4 Walk-Off Win
Columbia, SC— Angel Acosta hit a walk-off double to score Roni Cabrera and Brennon McNair to help the Fireflies beat the Hickory Crawdads 5-4 Thursday night at Segra Park. Stone Russell started the ninth inning with a triple off reliever William Privette. After that, Roni Cabrera entered as a pinch-runner
Noah Cameron Makes Big League Dream Come True
Tampa Bay, FL— Last night, left-handed pitcher Noah Cameron made his Major League debut in a start against the Tampa Bay Rays. Cameron is the third former Fireflies player to appear in his first Major League game this year. He joins Hayden Senger and Tyler Tolbert who also got the
Jones Twirls Fireflies Second Quality Start of Season in 5-2 Win
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies used a quality start from Tanner Jones and a two-run homer from Dionmy Salon to beat the Hickory Crawdads 5-2 at Segra Park Wednesday night. Tanner Jones (W, 2-1) was fantastic Wednesday night. The righty worked the second quality start of the season for Columbia. He
Pitching Leads the Way to 3-2 Win in Opener vs Hickory
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies held the Hickory Crawdads to 1-9 with runners in scoring position to maintain a 3-2 win in the series opener at Segra Park Tuesday night. Columbia drove ahead in the bottom of the third inning. Asbel Gonzalez was hit by a pitch to start the frame.