BREAKING: Twins Calling Up Top Prospect Kaelen Culpepper

[Coach]

Breaking News!  Marek Houston promoted to Class AAA, St. Paul Saints!  Not yet but looking forward to the headline! 😉

[DJL44]

19 minutes ago, jimbo92107 said:

Next, how about some outfield talent?

Buxton is eligible to return in 3 days.

[HarmonK03]

10 minutes ago, Chris Hove said:

I think there will be somewhat of a season, but a shortened season IMO. The salary cap is a huge issue going into the new CBA deal, and from what I heard, the players and owners couldn't be farther apart on their stances. I think the hard cap and salary floor is the best way to do it. The players think it suppresses player earnings and restricts open market flexibility. The players have big egos and want what they want; that's why I'm a little nervous the game will be lost in some context.

Both sides have huge egos.  But I don't think serious negotiations will begin until February or March when checks start getting missed.  That is why we may miss a few weeks but I don't think it will be long, there is too much money involved on both sides.

[Coach]

3 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Who plays 2B.  And why would you platoon Keaschall, he has been hitting over .300 since May and you want to play him a quarter of the time.

When Clemens plays RF, Kreidler plays 2B.  Keaschall bats RH, Clemens LH.

[Twins GFP]

I will be the first to say that I am very surprised the Twins made this move. Not because Culpepper hasn't earned it or deserved it, but because this organization has been running in the mud for so long that I did not expect any changes of consequence until after the upcoming lockout.

Not moving Ryan/Jeffers and actually spending at the deadline, calling up Culpepper, rumors of Jenkins next week... Call me very cautiously optimistic that the Twins are turning the corner and being more aggressive on the future.

[Church of Kreidler]

Well, I shall remain a Church of Kreidler devotee until Culpepper is proven again Major League pitching. Thankfully it will be an easy rebrand if all of you guys are proven right - and Church of Culpepper does have a certain ring to it...

Excited to see how he does in The Show! And I hope he can inject some life into the bats! Let's start the final push, and here's hoping Culpepper is helping to lead the charge!

[HarmonK03]

1 minute ago, Coach said:

When Clemens plays RF, Kreidler plays 2B.  Keaschall bats RH, Clemens LH.

So you are going to have Kreidler in the lineup over Keaschall, in what world does that make the team better overall.

[Coach]

1 minute ago, HarmonK03 said:

So you are going to have Kreidler in the lineup over Keaschall, in what world does that make the team better overall.

Defense, and pitching match ups.

[DJL44]

3 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

So you are going to have Kreidler in the lineup over Keaschall, in what world does that make the team better overall.

Kreidler’s new role is to wait until the 8th inning or someone gets injured. He should never be in the starting lineup.

[HarmonK03]

1 minute ago, Coach said:

Defense, and pitching match ups.

How about putting the best player in there.  Keaschall has been hitting over .300 since May and Kreidler is not Gold Glove level to make for that big of a difference.  Keaschall can hit righties, the obsession over platooning is insane and leads to this type of lineup configuration.

[Chris Hove]

I like Austin Martin, but he could be on his way out. He's been lost at the plate so far this month. has a mid .600 OPS and hasn't stolen a base since July 17th. I think Jenkins would be an immediate upgrade in all areas. Fielding, stolen bases, on base, and slugging. Mix in Laranch, Keaschall, and Jenkins in the OF with Roden as the 4th OF. I'm worried Buxton might not be back this season, so there could be more innings for Keaschall and Jenkins in CF.

[jorgenswest]

Looking forward to a big weekend from Culpepper. We need him against those those left handed starters.

[HarmonK03]

Just now, Chris Hove said:

I like Austin Martin, but he could be on his way out. He's been lost at the plate so far this month. has a mid .600 OPS and hasn't stolen a base since July 17th. I think Jenkins would be an immediate upgrade in all areas. Fielding, stolen bases, on base, and slugging. Mix in Laranch, Keaschall, and Jenkins in the OF with Roden as the 4th OF. I'm worried Buxton might not be back this season, so there could be more innings for Keaschall and Jenkins in CF.

I am not ready to replace Martin with Roden.  Roden has done even less than Martin.  

[Chris Hove]

1 minute ago, HarmonK03 said:

I am not ready to replace Martin with Roden.  Roden has done even less than Martin.  

Jenkins for Martin and Roden plays like once a week, maybe a PH here and there. If they kept Martin for Roden, that would be fine too, but I think they would want another lefty off the bench depending on who's playing at the time.

Edited 2 hours ago by Chris Hove

[Coach]

3 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

How about putting the best player in there.  Keaschall has been hitting over .300 since May and Kreidler is not Gold Glove level to make for that big of a difference.  Keaschall can hit righties, the obsession over platooning is insane and leads to this type of lineup configuration.

BTW, platooning doesn't imply constant switching.  On a day a player may need a breather, or injury recovery, there's your fill-in.

[HarmonK03]

Just now, Chris Hove said:

Jenkins for Martin and Roden plays like once a week, maybe a PH here and there.

I still think Martin is better in that role.  Roden has had three bites at the apple and has not done anything with any of those chances.  Martin has had some success especially when he was more of a role play instead of playing every day.  Not sure what everyone sees in Roden, other than we traded for him.

Not sure we will agree on this one.

[HarmonK03]

Just now, Coach said:

BTW, platooning doesn't imply constant switching.  On a day a player may need a breather, or injury recovery, there's your fill-in.

That's not what you originally said, so not sure where you trying to get to.  But I will be very clear, Kreidler should be the 13th player on the bench and forced into the lineup like they have done with Caratini.  He is a defensive replacement and maybe starts once a week.

[Coach]

19 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

So you are going to have Kreidler in the lineup over Keaschall, in what world does that make the team better overall.

For the record; once Jenkins is called up my preferred future line up is Larnach LF, Jenkins CF, Keaschall RF, Lewis 1B, Clemens 2B, Culpepper SS, Lee, 3B, Jeffers C, Bell DH.  Bench: Kreidler UTL, Martin OF, Caratini C, Jackson C.  When Buxton returns healthy? Martin is sent down, and Jenkins becomes the UTL OF.

[LA Vikes Fan]

28 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Who plays 2B.  And why would you platoon Keaschall, he has been hitting over .300 since May and you want to play him a quarter of the time.

We have to play Keaschall every day - he has been our best hitter for the last month, bar none. .311/.425/.478 over his 30 games/90ABS/103 PAs. He is not a platoon guy; he needs to play pretty much every day for the rest of the season unless he slumps badly. Thank God we moved  him to the #2 hole rather than wasting him at #8.  While Roden is improving, he hasn't really seized the opportunity. Martin looked like he was a viable starting MLB OF last year with 2 very solid months not so much this year. Keaschall is actually doing ok in in a corner OF so far and looks like he could be a backup CF with item. 

Maybe the move is Jenkins up, Roden down, with Jenkins in CF or RF until Buxton comes back. IF Jenkins takes off, Keaschall can move back to 2B (not my favorite), Lewis at 1B and Clemens as a Super UTL. If not, he can be a rotation guy with Buxton, Larnach, and Keaschal playing 3 days a week and getting his feet wet. Couple important facts on who is hitting and who isn't over their last 30 games:

Who's Hitting ; Luke Keaschall - .311/.425/.478 (,903) Royce Lewis - .266/.347/.514 (.861), Ryan Jeffers - .264/.352/.500 (.852), Josh Bell - .250/.323/.455 (.778). They play every day to the extent we can.

Who's Not Hitting -  Victor Caratini - .216/.280/.320 (.600), Brooks Lee .219/.282/.333 (.615), Alan Roden  - .559 OPS (SSS< 45 ABS),  Ausitn Martin - .617 OPS (SSS, 52 ABS), Kody Clemens - .217/.250/.450 (.700).

Play the guys who are hitting. One exception - we need a good fielding IF so find times to play Ryan Kriedler, even though he's hit .170/.198/.250 (.448) in his last roughly 100 PAs. 

New Batting Order with Culpepper and Jenkins - Larnach/Martin platoon LF, Keaschsall RF, Jeffers C, Lewis 1B/2B, Bell DH, Clemens 1B/2B, Lee 3B, Jenkins RF,  Culpepper SS. When Buxton comes back, slot him in the leadoff spot he likes so much, move Larnach to #3, move 3-7 back one and make Jenkins a 3-4 day a week guy to give the other OF guys some rest and one day where Keaschall plays 2B and Lewis/Clemens plays 1B. Play Martin against lefties, hit him #9, bench Larnach, and slide everybody else up one. Jackson is a bench guy/3rd C/pinch runner, Caratini plays 1/3 of the games at C, rarely at 1B. If Caratini is hurt, call up Ben Ross to be an IF UTL playing a couple of days a week adn Jackson plays 35% of the time as the C. 

[Baumer67]

I think the Twins should DFA Gray for Culpepper and Rashi for Zach Littell in case they need another starter or swing guy for Ryan if he is out longterm.

[HarmonK03]

3 minutes ago, Coach said:

For the record; once Jenkins is called up my preferred future line up is Larnach LF, Jenkins CF, Keaschall RF, Lewis 1B, Clemens 2B, Culpepper SS, Lee, 3B, Jeffers C, Bell DH.  Bench: Kreidler UTL, Martin OF, Caratini C, Jackson C.  When Buxton returns healthy? Martin is sent down, and Jenkins becomes the UTL OF.

Why would you make Jenkins the 4th outfielder.  There are enough AB's to go around for 4 outfielders.  I would prefer they send Jackson packing when Buxton is back due to the flexibility it gives the roster.

[HarmonK03]

3 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

We have to play Keaschall every day - he has been our best hitter for the last month, bar none. .311/.425/.478 over his 30 games/90ABS/103 PAs. He is not a platoon guy; he needs to play pretty much every day for the rest of the season unless he slumps badly. Thank God we moved  him to the #2 hole rather than wasting him at #8.  While Roden is improving, he hasn't really seized the opportunity. Martin looked like he was a viable starting MLB OF last year with 2 very solid months not so much this year. Keaschall is actually doing ok in in a corner OF so far and looks like he could be a backup CF with item. 

Maybe the move is Jenkins up, Roden down, with Jenkins in CF or RF until Buxton comes back. IF Jenkins takes off, Keaschall can move back to 2B (not my favorite), Lewis at 1B and Clemens as a Super UTL. If not, he can be a roation guy with Buxton, Larnach, and Keaschal playing 3 days a week and getting his feet wet. COupel important facts on who is hitting and who isn't over their last 30games:

Who's Hitting ; Luke Keaschall - .311/.425/.478 (,903) Royce Lewis - .266/.347/.514 (.861), Ryan Jeffers - .264/.352/.500 (.852), Josh Bell - .250/.323/.455 (.778).

Who's Not Hitting -  Victor Caratini - .216/.280/.320 (.600), Brooks Lee .219/.282/.333 (.615), Alan Roden  - .559 OPS (SSS< 45 ABS),  Ausitn Martin - .617 OPS (SSS, 52 ABS), Kody Clemens - .217/.250/.450 (.700).

Play the guys who are hitting. One exception - we need a good fielding IF so find times to play Ryan Kriedler, even though his hit .170/.198/.250 (.448) in his last roughly 100 PAs. 

New Batting Order with Culpepper and Jenkins - Larnach/Martin platoon LF, Keaschsall RF, Jeffers C, Lewis 2B, Bell DH, Clemens 1B, Lee 3B, Jenkins RF,  Culpepper SS. When Buxton comes back, slot him in the leadoff spot he likes so much, move Larnach to #3, move 3-7 back one and make Jenkins a 3-4 day a week guy to give the other OF guys some rest and one day where Keascall plays 2B and Lewis/CLemens 1B. Play Martin against lefties, hit him #9, slide everybody else up one. 

I agree with most of this, but where I disagree is you keep Lewis at first every day.  Either Clemens second or Keaschall but as you point out Lewis has been hitting.  Let him get comfortable at one position and you don't replace him with Clemens except for a day off.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

I don't think the Twins are that worried about trying to close a RoY award. It's the most random award around. If Culpepper hadn't gotten hurt, he probably would have been up even earlier. I think they've been looking at him as being with the team at midseason for some time and the injury almost certainly got in the way of that. YMMV on whether they kept him in AAA too long (I say yes, but I'm an idiot at a keyboard) after coming back, but this has been coming for a while IMHO.

He kept getting injured and prior to 2 of the last 3 games his bat has been pretty rusty.   I was curious to see how they would handle the Rookies not on the 40 man.  To me it appeared they would be conservative.  It does not appear they will be.   They can still manipulate service time if they wish, but I agree its doubtful if he is playing well.   

I think they still want to get the PPI award,  I think they are of the opinion Jenkins has the better chance.  It seems odd they are bringing up Culpepper but not Jenkins.  If you are going to rip off the bandaid,  rip it off on both with Buxton injured.  

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, HarmonK03 said:

Why would you send Martin down over Roden, who has been more productive.

You would likely send down both in the event of Buxton and Jenkins joining the team. 

[Coach]

8 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Why would you make Jenkins the 4th outfielder.  There are enough AB's to go around for 4 outfielders.  I would prefer they send Jackson packing when Buxton is back due to the flexibility it gives the roster.

I Jackson had options, I would send him down instead of Martin.  Judging by this season alone and not his past, he has provided upside.

[strumdatjag]

I  need to dust off my old Vikings Jersey with Daunte’s last name on the back. 

[Hubie29]

14 minutes ago, Coach said:

For the record; once Jenkins is called up my preferred future line up is Larnach LF, Jenkins CF, Keaschall RF, Lewis 1B, Clemens 2B, Culpepper SS, Lee, 3B, Jeffers C, Bell DH.  Bench: Kreidler UTL, Martin OF, Caratini C, Jackson C.  When Buxton returns healthy? Martin is sent down, and Jenkins becomes the UTL OF.

Keep Martin, get rid of the excess dead weight at catcher

[HarmonK03]

3 minutes ago, Patzky said:

You would likely send down both in the event of Buxton and Jenkins joining the team. 

Why would you keep Jackson over Martin, we can find another backup catcher in the offseason.  I want the team to be better this year.  And Martin offers to the team than Jackson this year.

[HarmonK03]

4 minutes ago, Coach said:

I Jackson had options, I would send him down instead of Martin.  Judging by this season alone and not his past, he has provided upside.

Yes Jackson has had a couple of good moments.  But he is almost 31, you can't ignore his past, he is a journeyman catcher that can be replaced in the offseason.

[LA Vikes Fan]

31 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Kreidler’s new role is to wait until the 8th inning or someone gets injured. He should never be in the starting lineup.

I wouldn't go that far. Kriedler has a viable MLB role - he is the classic UTL IF who can also play CF, Perfect 12th/13th guy on the on the field roster IF he can hit even .225 with occasional power. Jury's out on the bat. Weave seen great hitting of 2 months and horrible hitting for the last 6 weeks. He's got that job for the rest of 2026 and probably for 2027 unless Ben Ross takes it from him. i see him starting 1- games a week to give guys rest playing SS, 2B, and 3B, with an occasional start in CF.