Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper Among Non-Roster Invites Headed to Big League Camp ​

[Cody Christie]

Spring training is always about optimism, but it is also about information. The Minnesota Twins added a healthy dose of both on Friday when they announced their internal non-roster invites for major league camp. These are players already in the organization but not on the 40-man roster who will get a chance to share fields, lockers, and moments with the big-league group in Fort Myers.

The headliners are impossible to miss. Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper are two of the most important position players in the system, and both arrive with plenty of helium. Jenkins continues to look like the rare prospect who forces timelines to move, not because of need but because of undeniable talent. He finished last season at Triple-A after posting a 154 wRC+ at Double-A.

Culpepper took a massive step forward last season, showing he can impact the game with his bat while sticking at shortstop. In 113 games, he posted a 138 wRC+. The organization named him the minor league player of the year, and he enters 2026 as a consensus top-100 prospect. His presence, along with Jenkins's, guarantees that early-morning workouts will draw extra eyes.

The list also rewards performance: Kala'i Rosario and Kyler Fedko were among the system’s most productive hitters last year. Spring training is typically where that type of momentum earns recognition. Rosario brings loud contact (25 homers, 131 wRC+) and improved plate discipline, while Fedko made his mark on the bases (38 steals, 130 wRC+). Neither is expected to break camp, but both gain from time around the major league staff early.

Beyond the marquee names, this group offers a little of everything. Trent Baker and Cory Lewis provide rotation depth and a chance to evaluate arms against higher-level competition, while Christian MacLeod continues his push back into the picture after showing signs of life last season. Meanwhile, Ricardo Olivar and Noah Cardenas give the catching group extra reps and flexibility during long camp days.

On the position player side, Aaron Sabato, a former first-round pick, remains one of the more fascinating cases in the system. The power is real, and spring training offers another opportunity to show progress in the rest of his game. Tanner Schobel and Patrick Winkel are solid organizational performers who do many things well and help keep the environment competitive.

Non-roster invites rarely tell a complete story on their own, but together these players offer clues about the Twins’ current priorities. By bringing in their best prospects, recent standouts, and valuable depth, the Twins reinforce that spring training isn’t just about preparing the Opening Day roster; it’s also about developing the next wave by giving them firsthand experience of what it takes to succeed.

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[Fatbat]

It has to be the last we will hear of Sabato unless he improves has Gallo light profile finally. If only he could have developed into a viable 1B man. 
Its going to be fun watching K. Pepper and WJ. Hopefully they are they are the deal. It might actually be a fun season if those two and Erod play on varsity. 

Rosario may be the 4/5th OF RH that we have been looking for. They should play him at 1B in st paul more. 
Maybe Fedko is a for real late bloomer and snags the 4/5 OF spot by July. It sure seems like we have depth. 

[mac098]

This is just compounding more and more how much development was lost for some players during the COVID season (or lack thereof).

I believe this is gonna be Sabato's last shot at making the big league squad. I feel as if he doesn't make the squad, the Twins will grant him his release to pursue other teams or other opportunities like McCusker. 

[AceWrigley]

Sabato looked like he was going to be a total bust until last year, so the fact that he's gotten to the point of getting a spring training invite is kind of amazing. Who knows, maybe he'll be the 2026 Sire of Fort Myers.

[ashbury]

22 minutes ago, mac098 said:

This is just compounding more and more how much development was lost for some players during the COVID season (or lack thereof).

Affecting the Twins uniquely, dang the luck.

[Twinsrtheworst]

44 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

It has to be the last we will hear of Sabato unless he improves has Gallo light profile finally. If only he could have developed into a viable 1B man. 
Its going to be fun watching K. Pepper and WJ. Hopefully they are they are the deal. It might actually be a fun season if those two and Erod play on varsity. 

Rosario may be the 4/5th OF RH that we have been looking for. They should play him at 1B in st paul more. 
Maybe Fedko is a for real late bloomer and snags the 4/5 OF spot by July. It sure seems like we have depth. 

Why would it be the last we hear from him, even if he completely underperforms in spring training.  Why wouldn’t you give him the season in AAA and see if he continues to make strides and develop?  Why just right him off if he doesn’t crush his first big league camp invite?  Sounds like you would have wrote Rooker off as well.  And if you have followed his career, he is much more talented than McCuscker.  I guess so just have a hard time understanding why people dismiss players because fans say it’s time too.

[mac098]

5 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Affecting the Twins uniquely, dang the luck.

Never said it was affecting the Twins uniquely. If you look back, I said some players. Look at a lot of players that have shifted teams and found tremendous success. So, maybe you shouldn't put words in someone's mouth or make assumptions. 

[mac098]

3 minutes ago, se7799 said:

Why would it be the last we hear from him, even if he completely underperforms in spring training.  Why wouldn’t you give him the season in AAA and see if he continues to make strides and develop?  Why just right him off if he doesn’t crush his first big league camp invite?  Sounds like you would have wrote Rooker off as well.  And if you have followed his career, he is much more talented than McCuscker.  I guess so just have a hard time understanding why people dismiss players because fans say it’s time too.

It is definitely nothing first nod at getting a ST invite. He has been invited every year since 2022. So 3 (4 being this year) ST invites and he hasn't been able to break big league camp yet? Sounds like his time is limited with us.

On that note, he wasn't added to the 40 man when France was shipped out last year and when we didn't resign Santana after 24. Just goes to show that he is leaving a lot to be desired behind an aging Bell and and aging Caratini. Not to also mention last year was the first year he made it AAA. 

[bean5302]

Comparing a guy who is now 27 and has struggled mightily and consistently in the high minors for 4 consecutive years except for a 165 PA sample size in AA to Brent Rooker isn't reasonable. Rooker destroyed AAA. Sabato couldn't hold his own there last year.

Rooker made MLB in his 4th season despite that being in 2020. He had a .931 OPS with 20 HR in 267 PA in AAA at age 26.

Sabato had a .741 OPS (wRC+ 86) with 14 HR in 264 PA at age 26.

Sabato is a non-prospect and it's pretty ridiculous hearing his name as a potential contributor at this point. I'm pretty surprised the Twins haven't already released him.

[KirbyDome89]

52 minutes ago, mac098 said:

This is just compounding more and more how much development was lost for some players during the COVID season (or lack thereof).

Sabato was drafted in 2020; as far as time missed we're talking about 4-6 weeks in A ball at most. He's spent the last 5 full seasons in the minors as a college bat drafted in the 1st round. At what point can we just admit he's a bust?

[Fatbat]

27 minutes ago, se7799 said:

Why would it be the last we hear from him, even if he completely underperforms in spring training.  Why wouldn’t you give him the season in AAA and see if he continues to make strides and develop?  Why just right him off if he doesn’t crush his first big league camp invite?  Sounds like you would have wrote Rooker off as well.  And if you have followed his career, he is much more talented than McCuscker.  I guess so just have a hard time understanding why people dismiss players because fans say it’s time too.

I was the guy begging to keep Rooker. Sabato was the 27th pick and has consistently under performed since being drafted. I sure hope he proves everyone wrong and is just a late bloomer but he has been a complete bust so far.  For all of his pedigree, he has even gone undrafted in the minor league rule 5, let alone the mlb rule 5 twice. 

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, mac098 said:

Never said it was affecting the Twins uniquely. If you look back, I said some players. Look at a lot of players that have shifted teams and found tremendous success. So, maybe you shouldn't put words in someone's mouth or make assumptions. 

Maybe you should just laugh when you get called out for making vague assertions with unknown purpose.

[Twinsrtheworst]

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Comparing a guy who is now 27 and has struggled mightily and consistently in the high minors for 4 consecutive years except for a 165 PA sample size in AA to Brent Rooker isn't reasonable. Rooker destroyed AAA. Sabato couldn't hold his own there last year.

Rooker made MLB in his 4th season despite that being in 2020. He had a .931 OPS with 20 HR in 267 PA in AAA at age 26.

Sabato had a .741 OPS (wRC+ 86) with 14 HR in 264 PA at age 26.

Sabato is a non-prospect and it's pretty ridiculous hearing his name as a potential contributor at this point. I'm pretty surprised the Twins haven't already released him.

To state I compared the 2 players at best is a lie.  I never compared them so let’s start there. Second, and you should know this development is not linear. But I was asking another poster.  Do you possibly have 2 screen names?  Why cut him? Whom is he blocking?  Just because he hasn’t lived up to what you wanted out of him?  What value is there in releasing him at this point?

[Twinsrtheworst]

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Comparing a guy who is now 27 and has struggled mightily and consistently in the high minors for 4 consecutive years except for a 165 PA sample size in AA to Brent Rooker isn't reasonable. Rooker destroyed AAA. Sabato couldn't hold his own there last year.

Rooker made MLB in his 4th season despite that being in 2020. He had a .931 OPS with 20 HR in 267 PA in AAA at age 26.

Sabato had a .741 OPS (wRC+ 86) with 14 HR in 264 PA at age 26.

Sabato is a non-prospect and it's pretty ridiculous hearing his name as a potential contributor at this point. I'm pretty surprised the Twins haven't already released him.

And furthermore your second lie is his age.  Aaron is 26 not 27, so please do some research first. Thank you,, it will help your credibility if you don’t put words in peoples mouths and if you don’t twist ages and or statements to make a point.  

[Twinsrtheworst]

2 hours ago, mac098 said:

It is definitely nothing first nod at getting a ST invite. He has been invited every year since 2022. So 3 (4 being this year) ST invites and he hasn't been able to break big league camp yet? Sounds like his time is limited with us.

On that note, he wasn't added to the 40 man when France was shipped out last year and when we didn't resign Santana after 24. Just goes to show that he is leaving a lot to be desired behind an aging Bell and and aging Caratini. Not to also mention last year was the first year he made it AAA. 

My only question is why release him now?  Is he blocking somebody?

[Fatbat]

@se7799 AAA players don’t get released, they become minor league free agents as they age out. Sabato is on that path if he doesn’t get put on the 40 man roster and contribute in MLB. I wasn’t a fan of his profile when he was drafted and he has not done enough to claim a 40 man spot with the twins or any other team via rule 5.  He had a pulse for part of last season and he needs to build on that right away in ‘26 or the org will definitely give up on him and let him become a FA. Its been 5 yrs of futility so far. Its likely the last no. roster invite by the twins if he doesn’t develop a better hit tool very soon. 

[Twinsrtheworst]

2 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

@se7799 AAA players don’t get released, they become minor league free agents as they age out. Sabato is on that path if he doesn’t get put on the 40 man roster and contribute in MLB. I wasn’t a fan of his profile when he was drafted and he has not done enough to claim a 40 man spot with the twins or any other team via rule 5.  He had a pulse for part of last season and he needs to build on that right away in ‘26 or the org will definitely give up on him and let him become a FA. Its been 5 yrs of futility so far. Its likely the last no. roster invite by the twins if he doesn’t develop a better hit tool very soon. 

I understand AAA players are granted FA and not released. I miss spoke.  I w am still wondering why grant him FA now?  Who is he blocking?  I understand you are done with him. That’s fine.  I’m not defending him as a prospect or player.  I am wondering who  is he blocking?  Is your answer to grant any and all players free agency that probably won’t make the majors?  Who would we have left for depth?  

[Fatbat]

11 minutes ago, se7799 said:

I understand AAA players are granted FA and not released. I miss spoke.  I w am still wondering why grant him FA now?  Who is he blocking?  I understand you are done with him. That’s fine.  I’m not defending him as a prospect or player.  I am wondering who  is he blocking?  Is your answer to grant any and all players free agency that probably won’t make the majors?  Who would we have left for depth?  

Im not saying release him now. He isn’t blocking anyone and will likely spend ‘26 fumbling around in st paul swinging and missing at most breaking balls. Im saying we wont have to see him or hear about him much because he will likely wash out.  I really hope that I am wrong but we just spent $$ on Bell and Caratini & some other dude to maybe play 1B for a day or two.  If Sabato had shown more over the last 5 years, he would be on the 40 man and likely would have played varsity last September. 

[dxpavelka]

6 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Comparing a guy who is now 27 and has struggled mightily and consistently in the high minors for 4 consecutive years except for a 165 PA sample size in AA to Brent Rooker isn't reasonable. Rooker destroyed AAA. Sabato couldn't hold his own there last year.

Rooker made MLB in his 4th season despite that being in 2020. He had a .931 OPS with 20 HR in 267 PA in AAA at age 26.

Sabato had a .741 OPS (wRC+ 86) with 14 HR in 264 PA at age 26.

Sabato is a non-prospect and it's pretty ridiculous hearing his name as a potential contributor at this point. I'm pretty surprised the Twins haven't already released him.

and yet, they haven't

 

[dxpavelka]

3 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Im not saying release him now. He isn’t blocking anyone and will likely spend ‘26 fumbling around in st paul swinging and missing at most breaking balls. Im saying we wont have to see him or hear about him much because he will likely wash out.  I really hope that I am wrong but we just spent $$ on Bell and Caratini & some other dude to maybe play 1B for a day or two.  If Sabato had shown more over the last 5 years, he would be on the 40 man and likely would have played varsity last September. 

With only two September call ups allowed these days it's highly unlikely that anyone gets the call.  You have to figure that one of the spots goes to a pitcher.

[bean5302]

14 hours ago, se7799 said:

To state I compared the 2 players at best is a lie.  I never compared them so let’s start there. Second, and you should know this development is not linear. But I was asking another poster.  Do you possibly have 2 screen names?  Why cut him? Whom is he blocking?  Just because he hasn’t lived up to what you wanted out of him?  What value is there in releasing him at this point?

You suggested Rooker and Sabato were comparable because somebody else would have treated them the same. Brent Rooker has apparently become the new David Ortiz around these parts. The cautionary tale who is used by fans to justify hanging on to any MiLB roster filler well past prospect age regardless of how little similarity exists. 

13 hours ago, se7799 said:

And furthermore your second lie is his age.  Aaron is 26 not 27, so please do some research first. Thank you,, it will help your credibility if you don’t put words in peoples mouths and if you don’t twist ages and or statements to make a point.  

Sabato will be considered 27 for this baseball season.

[mikelink45]

Wow this article really got the emotions  must be the tension we all feel in the bigger news.  Poor Aaron - at least he got some ink  

[Twinsrtheworst]

33 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Wow this article really got the emotions  must be the tension we all feel in the bigger news.  Poor Aaron - at least he got some ink  

That’s what I get for asking a question on here I guess.  I get angry answers from people I didn’t even ask a question from. Nothing personal @bean5302.. but do better.

[FlyingFinn]

17 hours ago, se7799 said:

Sounds like you would have wrote Rooker off as well.  

The Twins were never keeping Rooker on the 40 man through his bad years. The A's simply timed picking him up at the right time and had a chance to give him extended AB's on a bad team. After the Twins traded Rooker, the Padres and Royals both got rid of him for nothing. Players like Rooker are why the Twins and every team keeps picking up guys with potential, hoping things finally click.

[Jeff K]

Brent Rooker now joins the ghost of David Ortiz for being fearful to make moves!

[Western SD Fan]

Getting back to this list of non-roster invitees and trying to guess whether we will see any of them make the team coming out of spring training.  Spoiler alert: none of them, regardless of what kind of spring they have barring injuries.  Even if Culpepper or Jenkins tear it up in ST and seemingly force the issue, they will still send them down to AAA.  Call it needing extra seasoning.  Call it service time manipulation.  Cory Lewis probably needs a decent ST or season to not be considered a candidate for the bullpen.  That doesn't mean that ST storylines shouldn't be fun to watch.  Many of the players mentioned will look to give some hope that cupboard isn't bare and that maybe we will see some of these players sooner rather than later.

Finally, about Sabato.  I think this is the most coverage he has received since he was drafted.  I believe the point that was attempting to be made is that it's pretty common for non-roster invitees to be granted free agency to try to sign on with another team unless they really want to sign on with the team that invited them.  I would agree that he is not holding anyone back in St. Paul, but I also wouldn't be holding a roster spot for him, either in the majors or in St. Paul.

[Twinsrtheworst]

23 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Comparing a guy who is now 27 and has struggled mightily and consistently in the high minors for 4 consecutive years except for a 165 PA sample size in AA to Brent Rooker isn't reasonable. Rooker destroyed AAA. Sabato couldn't hold his own there last year.

Rooker made MLB in his 4th season despite that being in 2020. He had a .931 OPS with 20 HR in 267 PA in AAA at age 26.

Sabato had a .741 OPS (wRC+ 86) with 14 HR in 264 PA at age 26.

Sabato is a non-prospect and it's pretty ridiculous hearing his name as a potential contributor at this point. I'm pretty surprised the Twins haven't already released him.

Why are you still comparing Sabato and Rooker?  Two different players with different careers.

[Doctor Wu]

In years past the Twins usually had some players with Spring Training invites that were not already in their system. But this year it appears that EVERY play invited is already in the organization. But hey, maybe that's actually a good thing. 

[arby58]

On 1/25/2026 at 2:51 PM, Fatbat said:

Rosario may be the 4/5th OF RH that we have been looking for. They should play him at 1B in st paul more. 

If they play him even 1 inning at 1B they will have played him more, considering he's played zero innings at 1B in the minors.

[mikelink45]

On 1/26/2026 at 9:21 AM, se7799 said:

That’s what I get for asking a question on here I guess.  I get angry answers from people I didn’t even ask a question from. Nothing personal @bean5302.. but do better.

It is not anger.  I enjoyed the article - it is my feeling that these players are not generating enthusiasm and Sabato has been a disappointment since his draft so I don't see him getting ink except for ST.