2019 Nelson Cruz > 2010 Jim Thome… Already.

The Minnesota Twins are having their best season by far, since 2010. When we look back on that 2010 team, who is the most formidable hitter from that group? Joe Mauer? Maybe, but not who I’m thinking of. Delmon Young? Close, but not quite. Justin Morneau? Maybe, before he got hurt. The answer we’re looking for, though, is:

Jim Thome

Of all the big WPA games by Twins designated hitters, Jim Thome on August 17, 2010 is probably the most memorable.

Thome hit the first walk-off home run in Target Field history, beating the White Sox in the bottom of the 10th inning and resulting in this all-time great photo. pic.twitter.com/yC7WNxidOS

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 3, 2019

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We saw a lot of Jim Thome crushing baseballs that year. He also gave us the greatest win in Target Field history against the White Sox. Thome was a monster in 2010 and smashed 25 home runs… but now, those gaudy numbers are being dwarfed by 2019 Nelson Cruz, who came to the Twins in the offseason, under similar circumstances. The comparisons have already taking place throughout the season.

Back in December, when 38-year-old Nelson Cruz signed with the Twins, my write-up included the natural comparison to a 39-year-old Jim Thome signing with the Twins in 2010. https://t.co/PpNoHFe9Dr

Cruz with the Twins: .374 OBP, .564 SLG

Thome with the Twins: .387 OBP, .562 SLG pic.twitter.com/IeJo0osx0u

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) June 29, 2019

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 But, Cruz has been on an absolute tear over the last 2 weeks and instead of looking similar to 2010 Jim Thome, he is now Cruzing (pun intended) past Thome in all catagories. He’s been absolutely ridiculous. He’s had two 3-run HR games in his career. They have both been in the last two weeks. These are video game numbers:

Nelson Cruz' last 9 starts:
•HR
•HR
•HR
•3HR
•HR
•-
•-
•HR
•3HR

That's 11 in 9 starts.
(tonight not included in the graphic attached)

30 total this season. pic.twitter.com/tP47zbzAxj

— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) August 4, 2019

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Nelson Cruz is the oldest player ever with multiple 3 home run games pic.twitter.com/ioQG8Bszuf

— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) August 4, 2019

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Nelson Cruz has homered three times tonight, 30 times this season, and 13 times in his last 16 games, his second 3-homer game in his last 8 games. Since July 17, Cruz has almost double the amount of homers (13) as the next closest person in the majors (8). pic.twitter.com/KY7MvuIyLk

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) August 4, 2019

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After this year, the gold standard for DH seasons by a Twins player will be judged against what Nelson Cruz is doing in 2019. So make sure to enjoy the ride, and with how Cruz is hitting right now, there’s no telling when it will end.

Jim Thome:

Seth Toupal | Minnesota Sports Fan