2025 Twins Daily Minor League All Stars: The Hitters

[Seth Stohs]

Catcher: Noah Cardenas, 26 (Wichita, St. Paul) 
69 G, .245/.387/.438 (.824), 10 2B, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 42 BB, 51 K 

 

First Base: Aaron Sabato, 26 (Wichita, St. Paul)
109 G, .261/.327/.481 (.809), 18 2B, 1 3B, 23 HR, 68 RBI, 38 BB, 129 K, 1 SB. 

 

Second Base: Kyle DeBarge, 22 (Cedar Rapids)
121 G, .237/.347/.362 (.709), 23 2B, 5 3B, 8 HR, 65 RBI, 70 BB, 121 K, 66 SB. 

 

Third Base: Danny De Andrade, 21 (Cedar Rapids)
121 G, .229/.317/.387 (.704), 26 2B, 8 3B, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 43 BB, 115 K, 15 SB. 

 

  

Shortstop: Kaelen Culpepper, 22 (Cedar Rapids, Wichita)
113 G, .289/.375/.469 (.844), 16 2B, 3 3B, 20 HR, 64 RBI, 77 R, 50 BB, 90 K, 25 SB 

 

Left Field: Kyler Fedko, 26 (Wichita, St. Paul)
130 G, .258/.367/.487 (.855), 25 2B, 28 HR, 82 RBI, 91 R, 79 BB, 120 K, 38 SB 

 

Center Field: Walker Jenkins, 20 (Fort Myers, Wichita, St. Paul)
84 G, .286/.399/.451 (.850), 17 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 56 R, 50 BB, 76 K, 17 SB   

 

Right Field: Kala’i Rosario, 23 (Wichita)
130 G, .256/.358/.487 (.844), 30 2B, 5 3B, 25 HR, 83 RBI, 92 R, 73 BB, 159 K, 32 SB 

 

Designated Hitter: Gabriel Gonzalez, 21 (Cedar Rapids, Wichita, St. Paul)
123 G, .329/.395/.513 (.909), 38 2B, 3 3B, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 75 R, 48 BB, 80 K, 8 SB 

 

Utility: Brandon Winokur, 20 (Cedar Rapids)
122 G, .226/.304/.388 (.693), 20 2B, 3 3B, 17 HR, 68 RBI, 26 SB. 

 

Lifetime Achievement Award
Bat Boy - Jon Jon (Cedar Rapids) 

 

And just one more video highlight. Kala'i Rosario provides the walk-off. 

 

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[Mike Sixel]

Not great that the first baseman isn't likely to be in the league much longer....

I read that Mendez left the AFL for bereavement reasons?

[FlyingFinn]

10 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Not great that the first baseman isn't likely to be in the league much longer....

I read that Mendez left the AFL for bereavement reasons?

To my knowledge, he's never played 1st base in the AFL.

Those are rough #'s for an all-star 3B. Amick must have been injured too much of the season.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, FlyingFinn said:

To my knowledge, he's never played 1st base in the AFL.

Those are rough #'s for an all-star 3B. Amick must have been injured too much of the season.

Those two thoughts are about different people. Sanato might never play again, and Mendez left the AFL for bereavement reasons was a question.

[DocBauer]

What's slightly humorous is having to put together a team where some players moved around so much it's more about fitting them in somewhere. But I get it.

CARDENAS: I've liked him since drafted. Despite a HORRIBLE 2024, he's been decent at the plate and has always mainted a solid OB%. He's solid behind the plate and has a good arm. I don't buy in to a power uptick at AAA. I think he's got a ML future ahead of him as a quality backup who won't embarrass himself at the plate. Maybe a slightly better Drew Butera type?

SABATO: He got a lot of people excited with his development in 2025. But his changes didn't translate to AAA where he was mediocre. No reason to protect him. And he's no longer a true prospect. But he might be back at St Paul for depth and hope for an opportunity at some point.

DeBARGE: I'm a little surprised how many people are down on him after a hot start and then cooling off. This was only his 1st full pro season. A lot of talent and defensive versatility there. I could see a major jump in 2026.

DeANDRADE: What happens if this 21yo can stay healthy for a full season? Could he be a ML SS if so? At worst, I think he's a talented Super Utility option. He's got a ton of talent. Here's hoping for a healthy 2026 where he might surprise. 

CULPEPPER: He's on the same fast track that Keaschall was on. Frankly, he's better than I expected. Twins scouts might have been right on his selection. I'm going to be disappointed if he isn't the Twins SS around July 1st. He's really exciting!

FEDKO: NOT a prospect until he seemed to put it altogether in 2025. But how do you dismess such an amazing season? He sorta reminds me of Lew Ford. He's got potential 4th OF who might be able to play some 1B as well. And he produced at AAA. To me, he's an easy keep over someone like Outman.

JENKINS: Honesty, nothing needs to be said here.

ROSARIO: Wan MVP in 2023 at CR, had a rough and injury related season in 2024, and SHOULD have won the league MVP this past season. Big arm, big power, major adjustments in his approach for improved K and BB numbers. Probably a future DH/part time OF. Any chance he can learn 1B? He's ready for AAA but probably doesn't need to be protected as it's hard to believe a AA OF, even coming off a great season, is going to be selected or kept.

GONZALEZ: WOW! What a turnaround from one year to the next! Top 100 to a poor season. Obviously, injuries took their toll. Great arm, and supposedly really improved his defense this past season. I hope that's true from what little I've seen of him, and previous reports. That BAT looks almost ML ready. Still wondering a bit about DBLs power translating to HR power, but he looks about ready to take over a role as a DH and part time OF. Ready June or July 1st?

WINOKUR: MAYBE the most intriguing prospect in the system? Considering all his natural talent, he doesn't have to add weight to increase power. But he might gain a little "man muscle" naturally. But even 15lbs to his frame shouldn't affect his speed. Assuming the hit to contact continues to improve, is he possibly the best CF in the system?

He's also got 3B ability. At worst...other players blocking him...he's a potential 1B with power and speed.

Long way to go in his development for sure. But the overall talent is undeniable. 

[mikelink45]

second and third look weak, Catcher and 1B do not give a lot of hope and Winokur is limited.  Not the best all-star minor league team except OF and DH look good as well as SS.  

[tony&rodney]

60 XBH for Rosario. He keeps producing at each level. 

I don't really subscribe to an idea that players are blocked except where a superstar holds down a position (The Big Dumper). Hopefully some of the Twins prospects force into the lineup in 2026.

[Otaknam]

 Not sure why Fedko was not brought up. Teams used to reward breakout seasons in the high minors, though the limited roster call ups are a major factor now. Power and speed are a good combination, and Fedko surely earned a spot, maybe in place of Outman, who did nothing. Might be a 40 man roster issue, but still…..

 

[Jeff K]

45 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

 Not sure why Fedko was not brought up. Teams used to reward breakout seasons in the high minors, though the limited roster call ups are a major factor now. Power and speed are a good combination, and Fedko surely earned a spot, maybe in place of Outman, who did nothing. Might be a 40 man roster issue, but still…..

 

I think Fedko has earned a 40 man roster spot.

[dxpavelka]

20 hours ago, DocBauer said:

What's slightly humorous is having to put together a team where some players moved around so much it's more about fitting them in somewhere. But I get it.

CARDENAS: I've liked him since drafted. Despite a HORRIBLE 2024, he's been decent at the plate and has always mainted a solid OB%. He's solid behind the plate and has a good arm. I don't buy in to a power uptick at AAA. I think he's got a ML future ahead of him as a quality backup who won't embarrass himself at the plate. Maybe a slightly better Drew Butera type?

SABATO: He got a lot of people excited with his development in 2025. But his changes didn't translate to AAA where he was mediocre. No reason to protect him. And he's no longer a true prospect. But he might be back at St Paul for depth and hope for an opportunity at some point.

DeBARGE: I'm a little surprised how many people are down on him after a hot start and then cooling off. This was only his 1st full pro season. A lot of talent and defensive versatility there. I could see a major jump in 2026.

DeANDRADE: What happens if this 21yo can stay healthy for a full season? Could he be a ML SS if so? At worst, I think he's a talented Super Utility option. He's got a ton of talent. Here's hoping for a healthy 2026 where he might surprise. 

CULPEPPER: He's on the same fast track that Keaschall was on. Frankly, he's better than I expected. Twins scouts might have been right on his selection. I'm going to be disappointed if he isn't the Twins SS around July 1st. He's really exciting!

FEDKO: NOT a prospect until he seemed to put it altogether in 2025. But how do you dismess such an amazing season? He sorta reminds me of Lew Ford. He's got potential 4th OF who might be able to play some 1B as well. And he produced at AAA. To me, he's an easy keep over someone like Outman.

JENKINS: Honesty, nothing needs to be said here.

ROSARIO: Wan MVP in 2023 at CR, had a rough and injury related season in 2024, and SHOULD have won the league MVP this past season. Big arm, big power, major adjustments in his approach for improved K and BB numbers. Probably a future DH/part time OF. Any chance he can learn 1B? He's ready for AAA but probably doesn't need to be protected as it's hard to believe a AA OF, even coming off a great season, is going to be selected or kept.

GONZALEZ: WOW! What a turnaround from one year to the next! Top 100 to a poor season. Obviously, injuries took their toll. Great arm, and supposedly really improved his defense this past season. I hope that's true from what little I've seen of him, and previous reports. That BAT looks almost ML ready. Still wondering a bit about DBLs power translating to HR power, but he looks about ready to take over a role as a DH and part time OF. Ready June or July 1st?

WINOKUR: MAYBE the most intriguing prospect in the system? Considering all his natural talent, he doesn't have to add weight to increase power. But he might gain a little "man muscle" naturally. But even 15lbs to his frame shouldn't affect his speed. Assuming the hit to contact continues to improve, is he possibly the best CF in the system?

He's also got 3B ability. At worst...other players blocking him...he's a potential 1B with power and speed.

Long way to go in his development for sure. But the overall talent is undeniable. 

You are wrong on Jenkins.  Something DOES need to be said.  Just one word.  NOW!!!!

[Steve Lein]

On 10/24/2025 at 11:37 AM, Mike Sixel said:

I read that Mendez left the AFL for bereavement reasons?

Source? I have been looking for any news along these lines and haven't seen anything.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Steve Lein said:

Source? I have been looking for any news along these lines and haven't seen anything.

Fangraphs prospect writer, though he didn't seem 100 percent sure. 

[twinstalker]

On 10/24/2025 at 11:49 AM, FlyingFinn said:

To my knowledge, he's never played 1st base in the AFL.

Those are rough #'s for an all-star 3B. Amick must have been injured too much of the season.

Amick is...not good.  Not now, not last season, not in college, not in the future.  There aren't a lot of guys I know to stay away from in the draft, but the Twins have selected four of them in the first two rounds of the last two drafts.  That's counting Delmon's nephew who I actually hadn't heard of but immediately gagged when they took him and I read the stats history.  They don't know what they're doing wrt hitters.

For the record, I didn't like the Culpepper pick much, but it was mostly because I wanted them to take Ryan Waldschmidt.  I didn't view KC as "stay away."  I liked the Riley Quick pick.  Both KC and Quick have a chance.