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MINNEAPOLIS -- On Draft day 2024 the Twins saw things in Kaelen Culpepper that maybe not everyone else did. So far, they’re looking pretty good.
The general consensus on Culpepper, a shortstop out of Kansas State, was that he had legitimate bat-to-ball ability and a strong arm, but might not stick at shortstop and might not hit for power. The early returns in his first full pro season are supporting the Twins’ belief that he could do both.
In 42 games for High-A Cedar Rapids, Culpepper has a .304/.400/.506 slash line with eight home runs, 14 steals in 16 attempts, and high marks for his defense at short. He’s maintained his calling card of controlling the strike zone, making him one of the best all-around players in the Midwest League.
“When you’re controlling the zone, you’re hitting the ball at good angles hard, that’s going to be a really impressive offensive profile,” said Twins farm director Drew MacPhail. “So that’s what we’re seeing from KC.”
The calls are already growing for Culpepper, the Twins' No. 4 prospect, to be promoted to Double-A, and he seems to be knocking on the door of Top 100 prospect status.
All this for the No. 21 overall pick in 2024, whom MLB Pipeline had rated as the No. 31 prospect in the Draft class. In addition to his college experience, Culpepper also played in the Appalachian League, which provided another opportunity to show his skills before he was drafted.
Culpepper will probably begin seeing time at other positions before long, but not because the Twins believe he can’t handle short. Rather, it’s an organizational philosophy that players should be able to handle multiple positions if possible, because you never know where the opportunity will arise. See Brooks Lee, drafted as a shortstop but currently the team’s primary second baseman. Truth be told, the club is delighted with Culpepper’s defense.
“For the most part, it hasn’t been major adjustments,” MacPhail said, “and he’s put together a really solid defensive year so far. So I don’t think it was anything like he’s taken a huge step. I think it was more, we felt like he was a really solid natural shortstop. And he’s refined that and is impressing right now.”
As for that next step, it’s probably coming before long, but not imminently. With the way Minor League seasons are structured, there’s a playoff chase going on now for Cedar Rapids. Once that’s in the rearview, conversations about Culpepper advancing to Double-A may advance.
Elsewhere in the Minors
Triple-A St. Paul: One of the most interesting players in the Twins’ system, infielder Payton Eeles, has made it to back to St. Paul. Eeles, a 25-year-old product of independent ball who is listed at 5-foot-5, put up big numbers at three levels last year. He began this year on the injured list, but after rehab stints at Single-A and High-A, he’s back to Triple-A.
Double-A Wichita: In an encouraging development, former Top 100 prospect Gabriel Gonzalez has continued producing since a promotion to Double-A. Gonzalez had a rough 2024 and was assigned to return to High-A, but after a hot start, earned the call to go up to Wichita. He’s posted a .300/.373/.433 slash line at Double-A.
Single-A Fort Myers: He’s only there on a rehab assignment, but it’s good to see Walker Jenkins playing anywhere. The Twins’ No. 1 prospect (No. 6 overall), Jenkins has missed almost all of the season to date due to a left ankle sprain. But after a brief stint in the Florida Complex League, he advanced to Single-A, and homered on Friday night.