4 Twins Prospects Most Likely to Be Lost in 2025 Rule 5 Draft

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, twinsfansd said:

It is important to understand the rules with adding these players to the 40 man roster.

If any of Outman or Kreidler, etc had been DFAd to add some of these players, those new players are frozen on the roster and can not be sent down or even DFAd if one needs to be removed to sign a free agent for instance. The only way to remove them from the roster is to release them straight out. Then you have exposed them to all 29 teams with no restrictions, like the rule 5 would have. 

Bottom line is that it is all about team flexibility. These guys really DO know what they are doing.

Thanks for the comment. So does that mean we can't take anyone in the Rule 5 draft, or does that mean we can take someone and then drop  a Julien, Outman, etc. to make space? Or something else? 

[bunsen82]

3 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I hope they do, but I don't have a strong feeling either way.

 

I believe it's essentially 26 rounds if a team wanted to just keep picking. I don't know that I'd be interested in Noah Miller in general, but if my options are Kreidler or Miller, I'd take Miller simply for the youth and great glove. 

Overall, I just hope they drop a position player or 2 and grab some interesting arms.

I think we can find a bullpen arm or at least 1 to try out.  Lets be real, no one is picking up Julien, Kriedler, or Outman.  And if they are they are easily replaceable by trade or waiver wire acquisition.  

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, Jeff K said:

I am very concerned about Culpepper and somewhat concerned about Fedko.  As Tony & Rodney pointed out, there were plenty of players protected that have no chance of a meaningful contribution to the big club.

How do we, as fans, know more about who may contribute to the Club in the future than the internal baseball people within the TWINS organization?

How far are these guys down the line on the organization’s depth chart? They are player assets and not all can be kept forever or for sentimental sake. I don’t get the angst as it seems to be just a Wild Guess - right?

Specifically, who would you exchange off the 40 man and why?

[DJL44]

21 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Specifically, who would you exchange off the 40 man and why?

I would gladly trade Gasper, McCusker, Kreidler, Outman or Julien to another team to acquire a pitcher with the same prospect rating as CJ Culpepper.

[bunsen82]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

They don't have an open 40-man spot to pick anyone. Do you expect them to DFA somebody this morning?

Twins dropped McCusker.  

[LA Vikes Fan]

And right on cue, the Twins just dropped McCusker "so he could pursue  an opportunity in Asia." I'm guessing the draft either a relief pitcher or Rumfield, the 1B.  

[JD-TWINS]

14 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I would gladly trade Gasper, McCusker, Kreidler, Outman or Julien to another team to acquire a pitcher with the same prospect rating as CJ Culpepper.

Those are all DFA guys that have been kept as “just in case” guys for early ‘26 in case of crashing injuries or a really disappointing off-season from FA. Their spots are placeholders until better options are acquired, IMO. Trade value for any is essentially non-existent. To me, Outman & Gasper have potential to start the year with the organization - that’s it from this group.

Rule 5 guys have to stick the whole season with big Club and can’t be optioned - doubt that’s Culpepper’s future in ‘26.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, bunsen82 said:

Twins dropped McCusker.  

OK...

Now they can play... if they choose to play. 

 

[bunsen82]

3 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

OK...

Now they can play... if they choose to play. 

 

They will now its a question who is available at the pick and who do they pick.  Do they go with a more polished pitcher with a lower ceiling,  or do they go with someone with some legit talent,  but control or pitch mix issues?   We will see shortly.  

[Riverbrian]

1 minute ago, bunsen82 said:

They will now its a question who is available at the pick and who do they pick.  Do they go with a more polished pitcher with a lower ceiling,  or do they go with someone with some legit talent,  but control or pitch mix issues?   We will see shortly.  

I vote for the latter. 100 MPH Arm that needs some mechanical consistency. 

[arby58]

5 hours ago, Jeff K said:

I am very concerned about Culpepper and somewhat concerned about Fedko.  As Tony & Rodney pointed out, there were plenty of players protected that have no chance of a meaningful contribution to the big club.

Agree about Culpepper. Fedko scuffled through his first year in A ball and his first year at AA. Not sure a GM is going to take a 26 year old outfielder on the strength of performing better at his second shot at those levels. I will grant you he did well last year at AAA, but it was only 164 ABs. I wouldn't be shocked if someone took a flyer on him, but I'd bet the under.

[MGX]

I'd like to see the Twins select Peter Heubeck from the Dodgers.

[Danchat]

And they didn't lose anybody, as I suspected. None of these prospects are good enough for another team to have to give them a full shot in the majors. Culpepper has upside, but he seems like he's not close to helping a MLB team yet, given the MPH drop and command issues.

[twinstalker]

LOL.  Why in the world would you think someone would take Kala'i Rosario?  His hitting predictors are cr*p, he can't play defense, and he can't run.

"While he's not quite ready for the majors..."

This would seem a sarcastic not quite, as he almost certainly won't be ready for the majors, I'd say ever.

The only time good minors hitting lines translate to the majors are when the actual hitting predictors are good.  They're horrible for Rosario, as has been shown several times, and he won't be a factor.  He's Yunior Severino.  Only the Pirates might not get that totally, but they are savvy enough to know he can't be played.  Rockies have DePodesta in charge now.  It seems the Twins are back to being among the worst in data analytics. 

[bunsen82]

6 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

They don't have an open 40-man spot to pick anyone. Do you expect them to DFA somebody this morning?

I called the DFA,  and even the potential player picked - even if it was traded.   Not often it plays out potentially the way you expected.  

[Trov]

9 hours ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

I will never forgive the Twins if they lose Cory Lewis.

But i suppose i will roll with the loss as i do with so many crazy things these days.

And i will enjoy rooting for a new team.

No worries, looks like no team believes he is worth an MLB spot this year as he was not taken.

[Jeff K]

21 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

How do we, as fans, know more about who may contribute to the Club in the future than the internal baseball people within the TWINS organization?

How far are these guys down the line on the organization’s depth chart? They are player assets and not all can be kept forever or for sentimental sake. I don’t get the angst as it seems to be just a Wild Guess - right?

Specifically, who would you exchange off the 40 man and why?

That's the bottom line for all responses.  We are fans and don't know as much as the team.  What is your point?  You could make this comment on every single response.  That said, Gasper, Kreidler, Outman and possibly Julien are guys that I don't see adding value to the Twins.  And yes, THAT IS AN OPINION!  Happily, Culpepper and Fedko were not taken.

[Jeff K]

18 hours ago, arby58 said:

Agree about Culpepper. Fedko scuffled through his first year in A ball and his first year at AA. Not sure a GM is going to take a 26 year old outfielder on the strength of performing better at his second shot at those levels. I will grant you he did well last year at AAA, but it was only 164 ABs. I wouldn't be shocked if someone took a flyer on him, but I'd bet the under.

Happily, you are right.  I was only somewhat concerned regarding Fedko.  However, with the Twins needs at First Base, I think Fedko is worthy of a good look in spring training.  and that would have made him worthy of protection.  Our options are bleak at first base and the Twins indicated they are not considering moving Larnach or Wallner to the position.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

On 12/10/2025 at 8:32 AM, arby58 said:

Are you his uncle?

Even in a good year (2024), he struggled with control - 40 walks in 79 IP, leading to a WHIP of 1.316, and that was his good year. Last year was  dreadful, with 68 walks in 73 IP and an 'other world' WHIP of 2.068 - not surprisingly, his ERA was north of 7. I don't see how the Twins could have possibly protected a 25 year old pitcher after a year like that. Where would be the accountability?

If i am his uncle, my siblings have been more promiscuous than i have been led to believe.

But i take solace from your post as it seems less likely they will lose him.

Nah, i just feel philosophically a knuckle ball is the last best hope for the world. Things are crazy enough as it is, it feels like the only viable course of action is to have that unpredictability work for us, for a change. Wakefield had his role in breaking the curse as much as Big Papi and Douggie Baseball. 

 

Oh wait... Been long enough since i checked in here, maybe the rule 5 is already done. I can look this up....