Patience Now Could Pay Off Big for Twins and Kaelen Culpepper

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

The Minnesota Twins knew demoting Royce Lewis would create headlines. What they probably also knew was that the follow-up decision would create even more debate.

Instead of promoting top prospect Kaelen Culpepper, the Twins turned to veteran Orlando Arcia to fill the roster spot. For a fan base looking for a spark and dreaming about the organization’s future, it felt underwhelming. Culpepper is one of the most exciting prospects in the system, and he’s been on an absolute heater during May.

But even if the move was unpopular, it was probably the correct long-term decision. Culpepper has played fewer than 40 games at Triple-A. On a recent episode of Inside Twins, general manager Jeremy Zoll discussed how he believes the jump from Triple-A to the big leagues is more difficult now than ever. That distinction makes it easier to swallow the Culpepper decision. 

The former first-round pick has looked impressive for St. Paul, slashing .253/.346/.469, with nine home runs and nine steals in 39 games. Since the calendar flipped to May, he has elevated his production even further, hitting .291/.403/.582 with four homers in 67 plate appearances. There is no question that the talent is real.

Selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Culpepper has moved quickly through the organization because of his athleticism, power potential, and defensive versatility. While he has spent most of his time at shortstop, he also has extensive experience at third base, dating back to college. Some evaluators even believe third base could ultimately become his best defensive home because of his arm strength.

That positional flexibility makes him even more enticing. The temptation is obvious. If the Twins are serious about moving on from Lewis (for the time being), there are multiple ways Culpepper could fit onto the roster immediately. Brooks Lee could shift to third base to open shortstop for Culpepper, or Culpepper himself could handle third while continuing to get occasional work in the middle infield.

On paper, it all works. Reality is a little more complicated. The Twins are trying to avoid putting Culpepper into a situation where he arrives in the majors before every aspect of his game is fully prepared. According to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, team officials want him to continue refining his defense at shortstop while also developing more consistency offensively. That is not an insult to his performance. It acknowledges that Triple-A development is still part of the process.

Fans often treat promotions like rewards for good statistics, but organizations view them as long-term investments. Once a top prospect arrives in the majors, expectations change immediately. Every slump becomes magnified. Every defensive mistake becomes a talking point. The Twins would prefer Culpepper’s debut to come when they believe he is fully equipped to stay permanently, rather than bouncing between levels because of short-term roster needs.

That distinction matters. Too many organizations across baseball have rushed prospects simply because the big league roster needed energy. Sometimes it works, like what the Twins saw with Luke Keaschall in 2025. Other times, a player arrives before he is fully polished, struggles immediately, loses confidence, and spends the next two years trying to recover.

The Twins do not want Culpepper learning on the fly while trying to save a roster spot. That is where Arcia makes perfect sense. He is not the flashy choice, but he is the practical one. Arcia has spent a decade in the majors and can handle multiple infield positions without the organization having to worry about stunting his development. He is also earning the opportunity himself after hitting .318/.376/.556 (.932) with eight home runs in 39 games for St. Paul.

Most importantly, Arcia buys the Twins time. If Lewis figures things out quickly or if the roster construction changes again in a few weeks, Minnesota avoids forcing Culpepper into a potentially unstable situation. If Culpepper continues to dominate Triple-A while sharpening his defense and approach, the eventual call-up becomes easier and cleaner.

And if the Twins do summon him later this summer, they want it to feel permanent. That should excite Twins fans more than a rushed promotion in May.

Culpepper is clearly part of Minnesota’s future. Nothing about this decision changes that reality. In fact, keeping him at Triple-A for now may be the best evidence that the organization believes he can become a cornerstone player instead of just a temporary roster fix.

The hardest part for fans is patience. The smartest part for the Twins may be showing it.

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Should Culpepper have been promoted? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[mikelink45]

Arcia earned the promotion but Culpepper will be up before the end of the year I believe.  

But it raises a question for me. I see other clubs bring up young players who have some struggles but seem to overcome and progress.  But we seem to have the promote and flame out - Lewis and Wallner, promote and injuries - Lewis and Kiriloff, looking like a star and then struggle - Keaschall.  

Lee is the opposite - he started low with lots of criticism and seems to be growing as a player. 

Please explain - we have so many with such good potential but we have not had as much success as I would like to see from prospects.  If they prepare Culpepper right I will be delighted. 

[karcherd]

It was talked about on MLB yesterday that teams are bringing up their top prospects earlier because they feel they will develop better in the majors because of the lack of pitching in AAA.  So are the Twins the outliers and if so why.  As an organization they have not shown based on results on the field that they are head and shoulders above other organizations.  Maybe they need to start trying to copy what others are doing and not always thinking they have the answers.

Also if they want him to refine his defense at short, then play him there every game, don't move him around at all.  Show a sense of urgency to get him ready.  He is the top prospect in St. Paul, he should be the priority at short.  

[TJSweens]

I have no issue with Arcia over Culpepper right now. Arcia has a solid major league track record and was playing really well at StP. There will be other opportunities for Culpepper. Right now Keaschall isn't hitting enough to justify his glove in the lineup and Lee looks every bit the place holder that he is. I think Brooks is destined for a utility infielder role. Letting Culpepper pile up more AAA experience seems like the smart play right now.

[Jeff K]

It's not a wrong decision to bring up Arcia.  As TJSweeny noted, Arcia played very well for the Saints.  I would have brought up Culpepper to see how he handled the jump.  Gray is trending downward, so it might be a matter of time before it's both Culpepper AND Arcia on the big club.  I think Royce Lewis needs a good bit of time before he is back in consideration...and it's a gigantic IF.

[Tallguy80]

I appreciate you tackling the topic that every Twins fan was thinking yesterday. However not mentioning other teams’ approach for prospects feels like a hole in the story. I don’t understand how the arbitration clock works but feel like it is an angle that should be factored in as well considering ownerships approach to payroll or lack there of. 
 

If this move was meant for short term then I suppose Arcia makes sense, but it’s difficult to justify why low ceiling players that likely don’t factor into the long term plans are continually promoted over prospects that do. Maybe the problem is I keep hoping the Twins ownership and management will do something exciting, it’s like thinking this time Charlie Brown will actually kick the football…

[Jack Pine]

It's a point that is hard to dispute.

[Nshore]

This almost exact article could have been written about Royce Lewis before he was first called up.  The Twins have to find out why these guys are going from raking in AAA to completely helpless in the Major Leagues.  If it means more time at AAA, so be it.  But it seems like there's more to it than that.

[rhal]

Not great pitching at AAA makes prospects look much better than they are. Twins obviously see some holes in his approach they want him to work on against inferior pitching before trying to take on the bigs. 

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Arcia earned the promotion but Culpepper will be up before the end of the year I believe.  

But it raises a question for me. I see other clubs bring up young players who have some struggles but seem to overcome and progress.  But we seem to have the promote and flame out - Lewis and Wallner, promote and injuries - Lewis and Kiriloff, looking like a star and then struggle - Keaschall.  

Lee is the opposite - he started low with lots of criticism and seems to be growing as a player. 

Please explain - we have so many with such good potential but we have not had as much success as I would like to see from prospects.  If they prepare Culpepper right I will be delighted. 

For me the first I examples that popped into my head were right here in our division. Caglianone, Montgomery, Bazzano, McGonigle. I can't fathom the Twins accelerating a top prospect as quickly as any of those young prospects (guess they're not prospects anymore) Caglianone has struggled some,  Montgomery worked through some issues last year and is now a rising star on an exciting Chicago team, McGonigle got a long term contract, and Bazzano has looked like a guy who comes through at the right moment. 

It's our turn but the time has to be right.

 

[Patzky]

38 minutes ago, Tallguy80 said:

I appreciate you tackling the topic that every Twins fan was thinking yesterday. However not mentioning other teams’ approach for prospects feels like a hole in the story. I don’t understand how the arbitration clock works but feel like it is an angle that should be factored in as well considering ownerships approach to payroll or lack there of. 
 

If this move was meant for short term then I suppose Arcia makes sense, but it’s difficult to justify why low ceiling players that likely don’t factor into the long term plans are continually promoted over prospects that do. Maybe the problem is I keep hoping the Twins ownership and management will do something exciting, it’s like thinking this time Charlie Brown will actually kick the football…

 

[Trov]

Another thing that bring Arcia up, if he can continue to hit anywhere close to what he was in AAA and still be above average defender like he has in his career, worst case, he builds some trade value.  No, he will not net some major return, but he would have some value for average hitting SS with above average defense.

[tony&rodney]

Kaelen Culpepper needs experience, that's all. He faces the same velocity and same breaking pitches at AAA but the pitchers lack command and consistency. Raya is a good example. Raya can be unhittable for a few batters and then just groove a pile of pitches or be really wild and walk several guys in a row. So Culpepper needs to see these pitches, learn what to swing at, and continue to grow as an infielder. I watched him take a couple of walks on close pitches recently and felt that was an improvement over a year ago when he wanted to hit everything within three inches of the strike zone. Culpepper could be a sweet addition in July, but maybe he gets called up in June too. The Twins are doing the right thing.

[karcherd]

30 minutes ago, Trov said:

Another thing that bring Arcia up, if he can continue to hit anywhere close to what he was in AAA and still be above average defender like he has in his career, worst case, he builds some trade value.  No, he will not net some major return, but he would have some value for average hitting SS with above average defense.

He will have no trade value unless he hits .400 or better.  He was signed to a minor league deal, a couple of months of moderate success is not going to turn him into a valued trade chip.  Let's not make this move into more than it is.

[mickster]

10 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Kaelen Culpepper needs experience, that's all. He faces the same velocity and same breaking pitches at AAA but the pitchers lack command and consistency. Raya is a good example. Raya can be unhittable for a few batters and then just groove a pile of pitches or be really wild and walk several guys in a row. So Culpepper needs to see these pitches, learn what to swing at, and continue to grow as an infielder. I watched him take a couple of walks on close pitches recently and felt that was an improvement over a year ago when he wanted to hit everything within three inches of the strike zone. Culpepper could be a sweet addition in July, but maybe he gets called up in June too. The Twins are doing the right thing.

Maybe they give him his cup of coffee during the upcoming paternity list visit by Gray...........who else?  They sure aren't bringing Lewis back for a short stint.  His ego needs a correction as well as his swing

[karcherd]

8 minutes ago, mickster said:

Maybe they give him his cup of coffee during the upcoming paternity list visit by Gray...........who else?  They sure aren't bringing Lewis back for a short stint.  His ego needs a correction as well as his swing

He would have to be added to the 40 man roster and I doubt they will add somebody for just a few days.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, karcherd said:

It was talked about on MLB yesterday that teams are bringing up their top prospects earlier because they feel they will develop better in the majors because of the lack of pitching in AAA.  So are the Twins the outliers and if so why.  As an organization they have not shown based on results on the field that they are head and shoulders above other organizations.  Maybe they need to start trying to copy what others are doing and not always thinking they have the answers.

Also if they want him to refine his defense at short, then play him there every game, don't move him around at all.  Show a sense of urgency to get him ready.  He is the top prospect in St. Paul, he should be the priority at short.  

Houston seems to be the heir apparent at SS. He’s a year away. Lee isn’t terrible - not great. I’d like to see some stability for Lee so he can focus on his AB’s. Culpepper has played 3B & will probably play 3B going forward.

Look at Baltimore’s “unbelievable young talent” …… (over last 1-3 yrs.) a list of “can’t miss guys”. Most are struggling.

Nobody has a crystal ball on these guys - I trust baseball people to know when Culpepper is ready. There’s certainly an open door for him when he is ready.

In the meantime Arcia is a reasonable bridge to Culpepper or back to Lewis, depending upon who is more clearly the better choice in a month. IF, Arcia has some success, he may supplant Gray or Kreidler as a better depth option?

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Arcia earned the promotion but Culpepper will be up before the end of the year I believe.  

But it raises a question for me. I see other clubs bring up young players who have some struggles but seem to overcome and progress.  But we seem to have the promote and flame out - Lewis and Wallner, promote and injuries - Lewis and Kiriloff, looking like a star and then struggle - Keaschall.  

Lee is the opposite - he started low with lots of criticism and seems to be growing as a player. 

Please explain - we have so many with such good potential but we have not had as much success as I would like to see from prospects.  If they prepare Culpepper right I will be delighted. 

If they prepare Culpepper right I will be shocked.

[GNess]

Is there a real marker teams can use to gauge "readiness" for the bigs other than competing in MLB.. MLB is hard and each player naturally reacts differently and each should be assessed individually..

The failure rate is high, but that doesn't mean patience, delay and fear of failure should guide the process.

 

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, JD-TWINS said:

Houston seems to be the heir apparent at SS.

Houston has the glove we covet for a shortstop. Is he Noah Miller? How far away is Miller? My guess from watching him play is 2-3 years. He gets quite a few hard hit base hits between the third baseman and the shortstop. Against the better A+ ball pitchers, Houston looks like he struggles. It takes time to learn how to hit. I'm hoping Houston takes off this summer. I try to tune in and watch at least a few innings often.

[Coach Wheels]

2 hours ago, TJSweens said:

I have no issue with Arcia over Culpepper right now. Arcia has a solid major league track record and was playing really well at StP. There will be other opportunities for Culpepper. Right now Keaschall isn't hitting enough to justify his glove in the lineup and Lee looks every bit the place holder that he is. I think Brooks is destined for a utility infielder role. Letting Culpepper pile up more AAA experience seems like the smart play right now.

Agree 💯 with this. Culpepper can wait, starting his clock in a year where 75 wins will be viewed as a success seems silly. Let him play and have success in St. Paul and go slow. 

[karcherd]

Just now, Coach Wheels said:

Agree 💯 with this. Culpepper can wait, starting his clock in a year where 75 wins will be viewed as a success seems silly. Let him play and have success in St. Paul and go slow. 

Wait so we don't know what we have for next year,  At some point you have to push past 75 wins which will be a stretch this year and try to improve the team for the future.  Culpepper learning what it takes to be successful in the major leagues this year helps more to improve the team next year than waiting for him to debut next year does.

[karcherd]

11 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Houston seems to be the heir apparent at SS. He’s a year away. Lee isn’t terrible - not great. I’d like to see some stability for Lee so he can focus on his AB’s. Culpepper has played 3B & will probably play 3B going forward.

Look at Baltimore’s “unbelievable young talent” …… (over last 1-3 yrs.) a list of “can’t miss guys”. Most are struggling.

Nobody has a crystal ball on these guys - I trust baseball people to know when Culpepper is ready. There’s certainly an open door for him when he is ready.

In the meantime Arcia is a reasonable bridge to Culpepper or back to Lewis, depending upon who is more clearly the better choice in a month. IF, Arcia has some success, he may supplant Gray or Kreidler as a better depth option?

I would trust baseball people too, just not the ones this organization employs starting with Zoll.  This is still Falvey's people and they haven't had spectacular success over the last 6 years.  Giving AB's to all these AAAA and past their prime vets is not helping the team contend this year and it is not helping set up them for future success.  We will be having the same discussions next year at this time as our record will be around or below .500 if they continue down the path they have chosen. 

[mickster]

24 minutes ago, karcherd said:

He would have to be added to the 40 man roster and I doubt they will add somebody for just a few days.

great point!!  I overlooked that part.

[mickster]

18 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Houston seems to be the heir apparent at SS. He’s a year away. Lee isn’t terrible - not great. I’d like to see some stability for Lee so he can focus on his AB’s. Culpepper has played 3B & will probably play 3B going forward.

Look at Baltimore’s “unbelievable young talent” …… (over last 1-3 yrs.) a list of “can’t miss guys”. Most are struggling.

Nobody has a crystal ball on these guys - I trust baseball people to know when Culpepper is ready. There’s certainly an open door for him when he is ready.

In the meantime Arcia is a reasonable bridge to Culpepper or back to Lewis, depending upon who is more clearly the better choice in a month. IF, Arcia has some success, he may supplant Gray or Kreidler as a better depth option?

Would love to see the Twins tell Lewis to grab a 1B mitt at St. Paul

[karcherd]

Just now, mickster said:

Would love to see the Twins tell Lewis to grab a 1B mitt at St. Paul

They need to let him just work on his hitting.  If they want him to change positions wait until the offseason.  Let's not overload him in St. Paul and let him stay focused.