BREAKING: Twins to Promote Kyler Fedko for Major-League Debut

[Danchat]

Took them a bit, but they finally replaced Outman with Fedko. I'm cheering for Kyler, and hoping he can overcome the AAAA expectations.

[killercarewoliva]

4 hours ago, GopherMike said:

Absolutely love this move. He's R5 eligible and they need to see if he's worth protecting now. 

Arcia was solid, and deserves to be picked up by somebody, but betewen Gray and Kreidler having a 3rd SS is just unecessary. 

Gray has had some good timely hits but the defense even getting into base path of a runner. I don't see Arcia being DFA'd at all. he is simply a former All-Star who can still hold his own on defense and at the plate. I was very surprised to see he was the one picked to go.

[ashbury]

3 hours ago, Matthew Trueblood said:

Hey that's right! It *IS* Culpepper's butt that is injured!

No, on Twitter it says he has glute tightn- ... oh, I see what you did there.

[DJL44]

Saw this on mlbtraderumors and thought it was worth cross posting 

Monkey’s Uncle

June 14, 2026

Those of us who grew up in the Pittsburgh area might recognize the last name… Kyler’s father John was a longtime sports reporter on the local NBC affiliate known primarily for his weekly blooper/highlight reel called “The Fedko Zone”. And Kyler looks like a mini-version of John. Congrats to the whole family.

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, RpR said:

Then why was he removed for a ninth inning defense replacement the last two games?

Because I specifically said he was getting better OFFENSIVELY……. don’t think he’ll ever be much, if any better than Julien, defensively. He gets to more balls than Eddie but he doesn’t make better plays.

[dxpavelka]

6 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

He will certainly start tomorrow against Gore.

After that it's 5 Right Handers in a row and then back to back left handers to start the Dodgers series. 

I'd hate to see him just watching for 5 in a row but... I worry that you might be right. 

Congrats to Kyler... The phone call home must have contained a lot of woo-hoo's. 

Given that the average MLB starting pitcher throws less than 6 innings and that teams will tend to throw some lefties out of the bullpen against our predominantly left handed lineup I'd not worry too much and would expect to see Fedko get into at least three of those 5 games and get at least 5 total plate appearance in that stretch.  Maybe even one start against a righty who might be known to not dominate right handed hitters.

[JADBP]

6 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

After Kreidler’s two big hits and outstanding play at SS, they saw they had a clear platoon at SS & they’ll probably lean toward Kreidker more often……… he’s a decent back-up for Buxton once every 8-9 games as well.

Martin/Clemens in RF with Fedko/Larnach in LF ………. Arcia & Outman gone …… making progress.

Arcia played well enough, but Keaschall seems to be getting his act together offensively, a little at a time. Lewis may get reps at 2B to spell Keaschall OR Clemens at 2B and leave Royce alone at 1B.

Yes let’s just leave Royce alone at 1B!!!! He’s happy, he’s doing well and he’s working hard and learning.  Don’t fiddle with him now!!! Might mess him up again!  Cheers to stability. 

[JADBP]

6 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Low bar for outstanding play. The bar apparently starts at "below average" -1 DRS, -1 OAA with a .952 fielding percentage. Don't get me wrong, he's almost certainly going to be better than Brooks Lee, and that's been the bar recently, lol.

Keaschall is struggling with everything, and I don't see the improvement you're seeing, but I don't think it's a bad thing the Twins are giving him a long leash. I feel like they've been too quick to demote players over the past few years rather than letting the players work though stuff.

Huh? You mean like Outman, Lewis, Wallner, Travis Adams, Klein or EEEK Manual Margot?  Some of these guys should have never been on the team!  
 

I’d say just the opposite.  This year the Twins are FINALLY holding players accountable.

I can see Shelton saying “Don’t care how good you think you are, Mr Wallner (or Lewis), you’re going to AAA and you won’t be back until you have earned it!”  

[Wizard11]

Of note, Fedko also plays some 1B. Probably won’t be needed there but felt worth mentioning 

[h2oface]

Carson “McCrusher” McCusker called from Japan to say good luck. 

[DJL44]

7 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Given that the average MLB starting pitcher throws less than 6 innings and that teams will tend to throw some lefties out of the bullpen against our predominantly left handed lineup I'd not worry too much and would expect to see Fedko get into at least three of those 5 games and get at least 5 total plate appearance in that stretch.  Maybe even one start against a righty who might be known to not dominate right handed hitters.

Yes, I expect he will pinch hit for Larnach, Gray or Clemens at least once. Plus, there will be at least one bullpen fueled blowout loss where they can sub Fedko in during garbage time.

[Riverbrian]

6 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Given that the average MLB starting pitcher throws less than 6 innings and that teams will tend to throw some lefties out of the bullpen against our predominantly left handed lineup I'd not worry too much and would expect to see Fedko get into at least three of those 5 games and get at least 5 total plate appearance in that stretch.  Maybe even one start against a righty who might be known to not dominate right handed hitters.

Maybe.

However Shelton doesn't yank in the 6th inning like Rocco used to do and Martin will most likely be getting the first phone call when a left handed hitter needs to be pulled late in the game.

There is a possibility that the Twins just set up for 4 platoons with the Fedko move and with Royce taking over 1B. 

Caratini/Jackson

Gray/Kreidler

Larnach/Fedko

Clemens/Martin  

Bell DH, Lewis 1B, Keaschall 2B, Lee 3B, Buxton CF full time. 

They could go lineup card auto-pilot for a bit. 

At least until the next roster composition changing move. Such as Wallner or Culpepper called up.  

I'm really happy for Kyler but I expect him to be strip mined for parts. After all... his AAA 2026 OPS plummets to .823 when facing right handers. 

[karcherd]

Don't platoon him, there are plenty of ways to get him AB's against RH pitching.  I don't want to see him pinch hitting late in every game after Monday.  Larnach can DH for Bell, who hasn't earned regular DH duties every day.  I like Clemens but he doesn't need to be in there every day, Fedko can play a day in RF.  If you want to give Keaschall a day off play Clemens at 2B and put Fedko in RF again.  You need to priortize getting him regular AB's, not necessarily every day for at least a couple of weeks to see what you have.  This is the year to do this.

[karcherd]

25 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Bell DH, Lewis 1B, Keaschall 2B, Lee 3B, Buxton CF full time.

I would not be taking AB's from players who have a chance to be part of the future to have Bell at DH.  That should be the spot to give someone a half day off and make sure you are giving AB's to others.  Bell is not part of the future and will not be traded but don't keep wasting AB's on him.

[Riverbrian]

14 minutes ago, karcherd said:

I would not be taking AB's from players who have a chance to be part of the future to have Bell at DH.  That should be the spot to give someone a half day off and make sure you are giving AB's to others.  Bell is not part of the future and will not be traded but don't keep wasting AB's on him.

In my opinion. Buxton should play everyday. That's it. 12 other players 8 other roster spots. 

Fedko should be allowed to out perform Bell if he can. Clemens if he can, Larnach if he can. 

If he is held to short side platoon. There will be nothing Fedko can do.

 

 

[bean5302]

12 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

The guy went from starting in the hole to the left side of the ”normal SS alignment”, dived to grab the ball, jumped up and threw the guy out ……….. what more does he need to do to get credit? Was describing one play - don’t need to see his defensive stats………whatever they are, as you point out, they’ll be better than Lee’s. Assuming they are superior to Gray’s as well.

Keaschall’s OFFENSE is getting better, slowly. Homered for the first time in an eternity yesterday - hit the ball hard 3 times today with one double. He walked and scored both times he was on base. His average is up 20+ points over last 3-4 weeks…….his OBP is finally above “an OK” .320.

I didn't create fielding percentage.

I didn't create DRS

I didn't create OAA

Ask the people who created the metrics used to evaluate players on what Kreidler needs to do in order to be an above average SS in MLB. Last I looked, apart from his rookie season, Kreidler has been an average or worse SS.

OMG, Keaschall hit a home run! He's back! 

I didn't create xwOBA.

I didn't create OBA.

I didn't create wRC+.

I didn't create Exit Velocity or any number of metrics which don't support Keaschall slowly getting better unless you narrow the sample size down to an irrelevant level. Show me a consistent 20 games or a month where he's steady better. 

[Western SD Fan]

A few things to think about Bell.  He has been heating up the last seven days.  Also, today is June 15th.  I heard this on Foul Territory last week the first date which a FA who signed in the offseason could be traded was June 15th.  Since they signed him to a $7M contract, I foresee the only way Bell is leaving is through a trade.  He will need to perform better in order to be traded which means he will need to be in the lineup.  If you want Bell gone, the best thing you can do is hope for him to get hot for the next month that another team is willing to take a flyer on him.

Now to the topic at hand, Fedko.  I can see them playing Fedko more in CF than Kriedler when giving Buxton a day off.  They need Kreidler to play more at SS as Gray has seemed to have fallen off, both offensively and defensively lately.  Fedko likely hit the lottery in terms of opportunity.  I think, under normal circumstances, this roster spot would have already been taken by one of Jenkins, Rodriguez, or Roden.  Since they are both on the recovery train, he gets a shot prior to them coming back.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, karcherd said:

Don't platoon him, there are plenty of ways to get him AB's against RH pitching.  I don't want to see him pinch hitting late in every game after Monday.  Larnach can DH for Bell, who hasn't earned regular DH duties every day.  I like Clemens but he doesn't need to be in there every day, Fedko can play a day in RF.  If you want to give Keaschall a day off play Clemens at 2B and put Fedko in RF again.  You need to priortize getting him regular AB's, not necessarily every day for at least a couple of weeks to see what you have.  This is the year to do this.

Bell has an 808 OPS in June. He’s hitting right now. They aren’t going to bench him until he goes cold again.

[jmlease1]

41 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

I didn't create Exit Velocity or any number of metrics which don't support Keaschall slowly getting better unless you narrow the sample size down to an irrelevant level. Show me a consistent 20 games or a month where he's steady better. 

Can I introduce you to May 2026? Keaschall did well. He's backslid a bit in June (not a black hole, but not good) but his May was kinda the hitter we thought he'd be. 23 games played in May, OPS of .790

But this is more about Fedko, which...congrats! I don't know that he's going to be good: the jump to MLB is the toughest step. But dude has earned a chance. He should be able to hit LHP, he's got enough glove to play all 3 OF positions, can play 1B in a pinch, and should be a good baserunner. Martin unfortunately has been showing that he probably can't be a regular (I do think they did him no favors by sticking him in RF, where his best attribute as a fielder (speed) doesn't play up as much, and his worst attribute (arm) does, but playing in LF wouldn't likely change how much he's struggled at the plate lately). Maybe Fedko shows he can be a 4th OF and cover some of those LF hitting corner OF guys we have in AAA that might one day again be healthy.

More importantly, I'm happy to see that production earned him a chance, even if it was clear he was not in their plans and wasn't seen as a significant prospect. Much rather see him on the roster than Arcia, who has no future here at all. 

[jorgenswest]

I would be surprised if Fedko has enough glove to play a major league level centerfield. I am aware that after Jenkins, Rodriguez and Roden were out he played centerfield in AAA. Similarly last year when Jenkins and Rodriguez were out he played centerfield. He played little centerfield in A ball and at UConn. The bar for a major league centerfielder is a high one. Since 2019 he has 70 starts there. Many of those are due to multiple injuries on his team.

His bat and hopefully an average glove in a corner will be his ticket. That he was the option the team chose to play CF when his teams were hit by injuries is a sign he can play a corner outfield at a major league level.

[twinstalker]

Fedko = World Series.

Book it.

[Mike Sixel]

54 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Bell has an 808 OPS in June. He’s hitting right now. They aren’t going to bench him until he goes cold again.

Yuck. But true. What a stupid signing,imo

 

[karcherd]

52 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Bell has an 808 OPS in June. He’s hitting right now. They aren’t going to bench him until he goes cold again.

I didn't say to bench him completely, but the original comment was he is one player that should be in there every day.  That is not a good use of AB's, if you are sitting young players that you need to find out about.  That is what this season should be about.  Bell has a .652 OPS for the season, he has not earned guaranteed playing time and it will just make it another wasted season holding back others.

[karcherd]

1 hour ago, Western SD Fan said:

A few things to think about Bell.  He has been heating up the last seven days.  Also, today is June 15th.  I heard this on Foul Territory last week the first date which a FA who signed in the offseason could be traded was June 15th.  Since they signed him to a $7M contract, I foresee the only way Bell is leaving is through a trade.  He will need to perform better in order to be traded which means he will need to be in the lineup.  If you want Bell gone, the best thing you can do is hope for him to get hot for the next month that another team is willing to take a flyer on him.

Now to the topic at hand, Fedko.  I can see them playing Fedko more in CF than Kriedler when giving Buxton a day off.  They need Kreidler to play more at SS as Gray has seemed to have fallen off, both offensively and defensively lately.  Fedko likely hit the lottery in terms of opportunity.  I think, under normal circumstances, this roster spot would have already been taken by one of Jenkins, Rodriguez, or Roden.  Since they are both on the recovery train, he gets a shot prior to them coming back.

All the other teams know what Bell is, a hot streak isn't going to change that.  Washington found no takers for him last year at the trade deadline and I have a feeling it will be the same this year. 

Gray is not falling off, this is what he is.  He has had a few good moments on offense but he is not an every day player and never should have bee.

[jmlease1]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Yuck. But true. What a stupid signing,imo

 

I dunno. It made a certain amount of sense at the time, presuming that we could get the Bell from the second half of last season he'd add some hitting the team needed. But he's been hot & cold with more cold than hot. Would we have been better off spending that money on a decent back-end reliever? Yes. But I'm also someone who would have rather seen them cycle through AAA hitters (including Fedko) and find out what we have there, not that Bell couldn't have been a decent add. It's more about where I always saw this team sitting and the need to give time to guys who might have a future than what I thought of Bell.

But AAA guys often struggle when they get to MLB; it's a damn hard leap.

I guess I look at it as having been the wrong choice rather than a stupid one. Stupid goes a little too far for me.

[karcherd]

27 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I dunno. It made a certain amount of sense at the time, presuming that we could get the Bell from the second half of last season he'd add some hitting the team needed. But he's been hot & cold with more cold than hot. Would we have been better off spending that money on a decent back-end reliever? Yes. But I'm also someone who would have rather seen them cycle through AAA hitters (including Fedko) and find out what we have there, not that Bell couldn't have been a decent add. It's more about where I always saw this team sitting and the need to give time to guys who might have a future than what I thought of Bell.

But AAA guys often struggle when they get to MLB; it's a damn hard leap.

I guess I look at it as having been the wrong choice rather than a stupid one. Stupid goes a little too far for me.

I don't believe it made sense, especially when Falvey said at the time he was signed to play 1B, not full time DH.

[The Great Hambino]

2 hours ago, karcherd said:

All the other teams know what Bell is, a hot streak isn't going to change that.  Washington found no takers for him last year at the trade deadline and I have a feeling it will be the same this year. 

Between the uncertain future this offseason holds and the surplus of mediocre teams that could convince themselves that they're in contention (there are six teams in the AL that have a losing record but still remain within three games of a playoff spot), I think we could be setting up for a wonky trade deadline where players could get overvalued due to the lack of sellers in the trade market.  It's possible Bell's value could get inflated under those conditions, especially if he can extend his run of play with an OPS over .800. 

If I had to make the argument for Bell still having some trade value, it would look like that, even though I'm not sure I agree with it myself.  The Twins might very well (foolishly, IMO) be one of those teams convincing themselves that they're in contention given the narrative established by ownership coming into the season.  Or they could decide now is the time to kick off the youth movement in earnest, but that's tough to do right now given the general health of the prospects that are/should be knocking on the door.  Somewhere in between those options, I gotta think there's a way to get enough PAs for Bell and Fedko (or Culpepper or Roden or whomever else can establish themselves as ready and healthy) over the next couple of months.  

I guess I'm not ready to completely write off Bell's potential trade value just yet, even though the likeliest outcome is they find no takers for him come trade deadline time.

[RpR]

If Bell gets good enough for Your trade value; I am very sure he would not be going any where else.😂

[Mike Sixel]

If they get anything for Bell, I'll be shocked. Just DFA him and give a younger player a chance. 

[jorgenswest]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

If they get anything for Bell, I'll be shocked. Just DFA him and give a younger player a chance. 

There are pretty good comps for him.

The Guardians traded Josh Bell in 2023 In return they took on the remainder of Jean Segura’s contract. They also received a good prospect (fv 45) in Khalil Watson who was in A ball in 2023. They needed to take Segura’s contract (a player they immediately released) for the remainder of 2023, the full season of 2024 plus the 2025 buyout to get Watson. Bell had -0.3 rWAR on a 16.5 million dollar contract at the time of the trade. Watson is now their number 11 prospect. He is 23 in AAA.

In 2024 the Marlins traded Josh Bell to the DBacks. Originally the deal was for a player to be named later. The Marlins chose to take cash considerations later in the year. At the time of the trade Bell had -0.6 rWAR on a 16.5 million dollar contract.

Bell currently has -0.4 WAR on a 5.75 million dollar contract with a 1.25 million buyout. Maybe they can get cash considerations but that won’t help the future of this team. I think Wallner has more upside and I am really hopeful that Mendez is the real deal. Both fit best at DH. I wouldn’t wait any longer.