Matthew John Wallner Bio
Matthew John Wallner is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on December 12, 1997, in Forest Lake, Minnesota, Wallner developed into one of the top power-hitting prospects in college baseball before the Minnesota Twins selected him in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft. After four years of minor league development, he made his MLB debut in September 2022, hitting a home run in his first at-bat. Wallner has established himself as a key contributor in the Twins outfield, combining defensive versatility with left-handed power at the plate.
Early Life and Background
Wallner grew up in Forest Lake, Minnesota, where he attended Forest Lake Area High School. During his senior season, he established himself as one of the top players in the state, earning Minnesota’s Mr. Baseball honor. On the mound, he posted a 7-1 record with a 0.95 earned run average, while at the plate he batted .382 with ten home runs. His exceptional two-way performance drew attention from college programs across the country.
Wallner originally committed to play at the University of North Dakota, but that institution discontinued its baseball program in 2016, forcing him to reconsider his college plans. He ultimately signed with the University of Southern Mississippi, where he would develop into one of the most prolific power hitters in school history. Prior to beginning his collegiate career, Wallner was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 32nd round of the 2016 MLB Draft, but he chose not to sign and honored his commitment to Southern Miss.
Path to Professional Baseball
Wallner’s three-year college career at Southern Mississippi established him as one of the top prospects in amateur baseball. As a freshman in 2017, he made an immediate impact by hitting .336 with 19 home runs and 63 runs batted in across 66 games. His performance earned him Freshman of the Year honors from Conference USA, Baseball America, and D1Baseball.com, along with Freshman Hitter of the Year recognition from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He also appeared in nine games as a relief pitcher, compiling a 1.84 ERA.
His sophomore season saw continued success as he batted .351 with 16 home runs and 67 RBIs in 62 games. Wallner earned First Team All-Conference USA honors and repeated his All-American status from various publications. Following the season, he played for USA Baseball as a member of the Collegiate National Team and spent his summer in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Falmouth Commodores. Entering his junior year, Wallner was named a preseason All-American by multiple outlets, setting high expectations for his final collegiate season.
In 2019, Wallner delivered on that promise by becoming Southern Mississippi’s all-time career home run leader, finishing with 58 total. He batted .323 with 23 home runs and 60 RBIs during the season, earning another First Team All-Conference USA selection. His combination of power, plate discipline, and defensive ability made him one of the most complete prospects in the 2019 MLB Draft class.
Matthew John Wallner Career
Minor League Development (2019–2021)
The Minnesota Twins selected Wallner with the 39th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and signed him for $1.8 million. He began his professional career with the Elizabethton Twins in the Rookie-level Appalachian League before receiving a mid-season promotion to the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single-A Midwest League in August. Over 65 combined games between both affiliates, Wallner slashed .258/.357/.452 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs, demonstrating the power potential that made him a first-round selection.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing Wallner from continuing his development on the field. He returned to game action in 2021 with Cedar Rapids, now members of the High-A Central League. His season was interrupted by a right wrist injury in late May that ultimately required hamate bone surgery. Despite the setback, Wallner returned in late July and played 68 games, hitting .265 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs. His strong finish earned him an invitation to the Arizona Fall League, where he played for the Scottsdale Scorpions.
Triple-A Breakthrough (2022)
Wallner opened the 2022 season with the Wichita Wind Surge of the Double-A Texas League and continued his ascent through the minor leagues. He was selected to represent the Twins organization at the 2022 All-Star Futures Game, showcasing his abilities against other top prospects from across baseball. In mid-July, Wallner received his promotion to the St. Paul Saints of the Triple-A International League, the Twins’ top minor league affiliate.
Between Wichita and St. Paul, Wallner appeared in 128 games and posted impressive numbers across the board. He slashed .277/.412/.541 with 27 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 32 doubles in 458 at-bats. His 97 walks ranked third among all minor league players, demonstrating the plate discipline that had become a hallmark of his offensive approach. His combination of power, patience, and contact ability made him ready for major league competition.
Minnesota Twins Era (2022–present)
On September 17, 2022, the Twins selected Wallner’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that same night against the Cleveland Guardians, hitting a solo home run off Shane Bieber for his first major league hit. The dramatic debut announced his arrival in professional baseball’s top tier. Over 57 at-bats during his rookie campaign, Wallner hit .228 with two home runs and ten RBIs.
The 2023 season saw Wallner split time between Triple-A St. Paul and Minnesota as he adjusted to big league pitching. He was called up in early April and again in late May when Trevor Larnach was sidelined by illness. Over 76 games with the Twins, Wallner batted .249 with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs, showing signs of adjusting to major league breaking stuff. His time in St. Paul produced a .291 average with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs across 67 games, indicating his continued development.
In 2024, Wallner played 75 games for Minnesota, hitting .259 with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs before an oblique strain ended his season prematurely. He also appeared in 67 games with St. Paul, posting a .259 average with 19 home runs and 53 RBIs. His power numbers remained consistent across both levels, though the injury prevented him from building on his mid-season momentum.
Playing Style and Strengths
Wallner is known for his left-handed power stroke and patient approach at the plate. He draws walks at an above-average rate, working deep counts and forcing pitchers to throw strikes. His defensive versatility allows him to play all three outfield positions, though he has primarily manned right field for the Twins. His arm strength plays well in the outfield corners, and he shows range adequate for center field as well.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wallner’s most memorable moment came in his MLB debut on September 17, 2022, when he homered on the first pitch he saw from Shane Bieber, a former Cy Young Award winner. The dramatic home run set the tone for his early major league career and provided a signature moment for fans to remember. His 2022 minor league season with St. Paul represented his most complete professional campaign, as he combined 27 homers with 95 RBIs while demonstrating the plate discipline that scouts had projected.
Matthew John Wallner Career Wins
Through May 13, 2026, Wallner has accumulated 55 career home runs and 138 RBIs across parts of five MLB seasons with the Minnesota Twins. His career batting average stands at .223, with his best power production coming during the 2025 season when he hit 22 home runs despite missing significant time to injury.
Major League Highlights
Wallner’s rookie season in 2022 produced two home runs and ten RBIs over limited at-bats, though his September call-up included the memorable debut home run. His 2023 campaign represented a step forward, as he hit 14 home runs and drove in 41 runs across 76 games while adjusting to big league pitching. The 2024 season saw him post a .259 average with 13 homers and 37 RBIs in 75 games before a season-ending oblique injury.
His best professional season came in 2022 between Double-A and Triple-A, where he combined for 27 home runs and 95 RBIs while posting a .277 average with 97 walks. The 2025 season with Minnesota saw Wallner log 104 appearances and hit 22 home runs, though his overall average dipped to .202 due to struggles with contact. His minor league numbers consistently showed a player capable of hitting for average and power while drawing walks.
Other Notable Performances
Wallner’s collegiate career remains his most decorated, as he finished as Southern Mississippi’s all-time home run leader with 58 career homers. He earned Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors in 2017 and repeated as a First Team All-Conference selection in both 2018 and 2019. His 2017 freshman season produced a .336 average with 19 homers and 63 RBIs, establishing him as one of the top young players in the country.
Matthew John Wallner Family
Family Background
Wallner grew up in Forest Lake, Minnesota, as the son of parents who supported his baseball ambitions from an early age. His success at Forest Lake Area High School, where he earned Minnesota’s Mr. Baseball honor, reflected years of development that began in his hometown. The Wallner family has maintained strong ties to Minnesota, with Matt remaining in the state to play for his home-state team.
Personal Life
Wallner continues to reside in Minnesota during the baseball season while playing for the Twins. His social media presence includes an account on X where he engages with fans. He maintains connections to his college roots at Southern Mississippi, where his legacy as the program’s all-time home run leader endures. His journey from Forest Lake Area High School through Southern Mississippi to the Twins represents a homegrown success story for Minnesota baseball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant opportunity for Wallner as he entered spring training as Minnesota’s starting right fielder. He was given the everyday role in the outfield after establishing himself as a legitimate power threat during his first three major league campaigns. The Twins envisioned him as a key component of their lineup, providing left-handed pop from the corner outfield position.
Despite the starting role, Wallner faced challenges throughout the season. A hamstring strain in May caused him to miss over a month of action, disrupting his rhythm at the plate. He appeared in 104 games and batted .202 with a .311 on-base percentage, his average dipping due to struggles with contact consistency. However, he still managed to hit 22 home runs and drive in 40 runs while adding four stolen bases, showing his power remained a weapon even in a difficult season.
Wallner’s season ended prematurely when he was placed on the injured list on September 19, 2025, due to a right oblique strain. The injury cut short his campaign and raised concerns about his durability heading into 2026. The Twins hoped he would return healthy and reclaim his starting role, as his power potential remains a valuable asset for a team looking to compete in the American League Central Division.