'I've Really Tapped into That Side of Life': Kyler Fedko's Journey Fueled by Faith, Family

[Chris Hove]

Image courtesy of © Jonah Hinebaugh/The News-Press/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kyler Fedko grew up in Gibsonia, Penn., approximately 15 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. He was winning National awards at the early age of 12, when he won the MLB Pitch, Hit, and Run contest at the All-Star Game in Kansas City, and was fortunate enough to hang out in the dugout with guys like Clayton Kershaw.

He attended a small private school called Vincentian, where he would go on to play for three years alongside his brother Christian and win two state titles. One incredible thing to take away from Kyler's senior season is that, playing in the small-school Class 1A of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, he only made three outs, and one of those was a sacrifice fly. 

In addition to playing high-school baseball with Christian, Kyler had the opportunity to play college baseball alongside him at the University of Connecticut. They both had different paths in high school, as different schools had recruited each. Once Christian committed to play for the Huskies, though, he instantly went to the coaches and staff to recruit his brother Kyler.

Kyler had always been interested, but once he knew it was a clear path to UConn, he didn't think twice about playing with his brother.

"The biggest influence possible. If he didn't commit there, I probably would not have ended up going there, honestly," Fedko said. "He was a huge influencing factor of where I went to school, for sure."

While at UConn, Kyler garnered multiple awards and recognitions. He was Big East Player of the Year, First Team All-Big East, and Big East Most Outstanding Player. He also played with several other players with whom he later became teammates on the Saints, including Anthony Prato and Patrick Winkel, who was his roommate in college.

By the end of his 2021 season, Fedko was on the road to the bigs. The Minnesota Twins drafted him in the 12th round.

"I honestly thought I was gonna go to the Red Sox, the round before that," he recalled. "And then I didn't, and then I heard nothing, and then, hey: selected by the Twins."

He moved through the farm system quickly, making his most notable stops in 2024 and 2025 at Double-A Wichita. 

His 2024 season wasn't what he had hoped for, but fast-forward one year to 2025, and he put together the best year of his career. In 88 games with Wichita, he led the Texas League in home runs, RBIs, runs and OPS, and was top-five in stolen bases. So what does he credit his success to? Kyler will tell you it wasn't a swing change; it was about trusting the process—and his relationship with God, which he says was "probably the biggest reason for my turnaround."

"This was probably an offseason where I swung the least amount I've ever swung in my career," he said. "I don't know how much of a spiritual guy you are, but I've really tapped into that side of life. Follower of Jesus, so I really put that at the forefront of my life, and pursued that, honestly, more than I pursued baseball."

Putting baseball second and his belief in God first has not only helped him have the best season of his career, but it has also gotten him one step closer to the big leagues. He said "that pressure [to succeed] is kind of completely taken off my shoulders," in the wake of his change of priorities and perspective.

He loved the "nasty" Wichita lineup, which was loaded with top talent. He also loved going to the ballpark knowing that pitchers had to deal with so many tough batters in the Wind Surge lineup. Batting anywhere from first to sixth in the lineup, it didn't matter to Fedko; the only thing that mattered was going out and playing with his teammates every day and getting better.

After the trade deadline, he was promoted to Triple-A St. Paul, where the hits continued. In 26 games, he's batting .305/.378/.543, with 13 extra-base hits and seven stolen bases. He had a five-hit game against Round Rock and has managed to reach base safely in 21 of his 26 contests.

An interesting adjustment he pointed out in our interview was the use of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System at the Triple-A level, compared to the Double-A level. 

"It's precise. I love it," he said. "When you go up to the box and you know that the zone is gonna be the zone, and if someone misses a call and you don't challenge it, it's on you, it's awesome. You just know that nothing out of the ordinary's gonna happen."

He knows his path is already written, and feels free to focus on what's within his purview.

"You have to control what you can," Fedko said. "There will be hills to climb, good games, and bad games. You have to forget about it and move on to the next one". 

It's been a huge year for the young outfielder, both on and off the field. He's drawing close to the majors, and his mindset might be as important as anything he's doing differently when he takes the bat off his shoulder.

 

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[Doctor Gast]

Kyler has found the secret. Go for it.

[Doctor Gast]

The ABS can't wait for that to happen. Long overdue.

[thelanges5]

Fedko should be up instead of DKJ. 

[Twinsrtheworst]

Hands down, the most impactful article I have read on here.  That’s not a  slight to other articles..  It makes me smile hearing this young man share his faith.

[SF Twins Fan]

1 hour ago, thelanges5 said:

Fedko should be up instead of DKJ. 

Either him or Eeles.

[SteveLV]

I can only think that Kiersey is going to have a limited bench role as late-inning PR or defensive replacement and they wanted the rest of the AAA OF's to get regular playing time and AB's.

Me, I would send Outman down and bring either Fedko or Eeles up.

[Chris Hove]

13 minutes ago, SF Twins Fan said:

Either him or Eeles.

The outfield position as a whole really intrigues me. I would assume Wallner and Buxton as locks for next year. I think Larnach will be gone and Kiersey should be in the minors. You would then have Jenkins, Gonzalez, Fedko, Martin, E-Rod if he can stay healthy, and possibly McCusker for two spots. Can't remember Rodens contract but he could be in the mix too.

[tony&rodney]

13 minutes ago, Chris Hove said:

The outfield position as a whole really intrigues me. I would assume Wallner and Buxton as locks for next year. I think Larnach will be gone and Kiersey should be in the minors. You would then have Jenkins, Gonzalez, Fedko, Martin, E-Rod if he can stay healthy, and possibly McCusker for two spots. Can't remember Rodens contract but he could be in the mix too.

Buxton gets a spot, for sure. Wallner is purely a DH. If the Twins use Big Matt in the outfield this is the signal they are shooting for a high draft pick. Wallner can be a beast as a DH in a positive fashion. He gives up more hits and runs than he provides if he has a glove on in the field. Wallner is also a prime candidate to trade. The corners should be some combination of Jenkins, Fedko, Gonzalez, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Roden. That is a pile - five guys for two spots. It is also possible that the Twins trade for an accomplished outfielder. We can check back though in February to sort all of this out. Agreed, the outfield positions should be really intriguing. 

[jaimedude]

I would like to see Fedko given a shot. He would bring better energy and effort than Outman has been lately. Festa could go on 60 day IL as an option.