The Twins Simply Don't Believe in Outfield Prospect Kyler Fedko

[Sjoski]

Two words:

Upgraded Wallner 

[1985Fan]

Fedko had a 29-30 season last year, so he can be a pinch running option. He plays decent OF defense so I don’t see a big downside in giving him a shot. I agree to let Outman get some regular playing time now that Wallner is gone. Let’s see how it plays out with Outman and then give Fedko a chance. Based on the last couple seasons worth of stats, Outman isn’t going to blossom into an OF regular. 

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

I think Fedko has some potential, but hard to say he's been treated badly. AAA is the first time that he hasn't needed a second try at a level to have success in his professional career. It's the first time he's had success when he wasn't older for the level. and despite his hot start in AAA in 2025, he struggled in his last month there. And it's notable that he passed through the Rule 5 draft.

Would I like to get a look at Fedko this season? Sure, why not if he keeps hammering the ball like this. Defensively Outman is probably a bit better (certainly more experienced) and might be a touch better as a runner too, but could Fedko fill that role? I think he could, and this is where you see how much value 40-man roster spots have. If Fedko were on the 40-man, he might be getting that shot. 

Unfortunately of the OF guys on the 40-man are 2 are lefthanded and unavailable, 1 is LH and getting his first taste of AAA, and the last one is RH and struggling in his first full season in AAA.

To me, this is why keeping Outman was such a mistake at the outset. While it looks less bad with Roden getting injured, the Twins have a glut of OF on the 40-man and no room to add someone like Fedko without DFAing someone. To me, DFAing Outman isn't much of a loss if he goes to another organization and isn't much of a risk either...but the Twins clearly feel different.

Outman is the definition of "addition by subtraction".  Subtracting him adds to the team.

[tony&rodney]

Fedko and Ross are tweeners. Neither broke out big when they entered pro ball and are now doing pretty good at AAA. Both players have had high strike out reates and been prone to chasing. Both are working diligently to improve. The Twins have noticed as both players are in the lineup on a regular basis. It is still possible that Fedko (and Ross) receive a trial run in the majors at some point. MLB is a tough league to break into. Rarely do rookies take the league by storm and sometimes good rookie campaigns are followed by dreadful second seasons. Patience is the word for both Fedko and Ross. I do not believe the Twins have given up on either player. nor do I think the organization has a dim view of their skills. Feko needs to keep working on controlling the strike zone and having good plate appearances. Both Fedko and Ross are decent base runners and both play solid, albeit not spectacular, defense. Fedko may get an opportunity this season.

[TJSweens]

"ZiPs projects his 3-year WAR to be -1.3 with a .220/.300/.360ish slash line if you gave him 400-500 MLB PAs a year over that time. 

All the more reason I'd like to see him up here. I put no stock in WAR or ZiPs. Bring him up and find out what he can or can't do. Don't ignore him because some analytics driven bs says he won't be good.

[Dman]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

I think Fedko has some potential, but hard to say he's been treated badly. AAA is the first time that he hasn't needed a second try at a level to have success in his professional career. It's the first time he's had success when he wasn't older for the level. and despite his hot start in AAA in 2025, he struggled in his last month there. And it's notable that he passed through the Rule 5 draft.

Would I like to get a look at Fedko this season? Sure, why not if he keeps hammering the ball like this. Defensively Outman is probably a bit better (certainly more experienced) and might be a touch better as a runner too, but could Fedko fill that role? I think he could, and this is where you see how much value 40-man roster spots have. If Fedko were on the 40-man, he might be getting that shot. 

Unfortunately of the OF guys on the 40-man are 2 are lefthanded and unavailable, 1 is LH and getting his first taste of AAA, and the last one is RH and struggling in his first full season in AAA.

To me, this is why keeping Outman was such a mistake at the outset. While it looks less bad with Roden getting injured, the Twins have a glut of OF on the 40-man and no room to add someone like Fedko without DFAing someone. To me, DFAing Outman isn't much of a loss if he goes to another organization and isn't much of a risk either...but the Twins clearly feel different.

Yeah this is my take as well.  There are too many outfielders on the 40 man as is.  Fedko is older than Rodriguez, Gonzalez and Roden granted two of those three are currently injured with Jenkins likely not too far away..  Outman has actually started to hit the ball and looked good in the outfield and Kreidler despite the past poor batting average has looked better in a small sample and his defensive versatility is ideal as a bench bat. Even if they got rid of Outman I would say they have too many outfielders on the 40 man.  I just don't see them adding him.

I forgot who has the stats up above, but those agree with my eye test to some degree as well.  Granted I hate April stats because some players just don't play well in cold weather, but Fedko has had his fair share of meatballs to hit in May.  Not that hitting HR's is easy, but a fair number of bombs were balls pretty much down the middle.  He's not going to see many fastballs when he comes up as they will throw junk at him and hit corners.  I'm not sold just yet that he is a hitter that can make it and if you add him you need to be sure.

Still I absolutely love the player and what he is doing. He has been a solid bat for a while now and he has a good approach at the plate.  He should just keep his head down and make noise at the plate and if he doesn't get his chance with the Twins he will get it somewhere else.  Right now he seems like a break glass in case of emergency type player who is last in line of like eight choices.  I'd wager the Twins leave him off the 40 man and dare a team to grab him in Rule V next year.  He really has to show out most of this year to get a 40 man spot IMO.