Twins Select Kaelen Culpepper at #21 in the 2024 MLB Draft

Twins walk away with SS/SS/3B/HSP and must believe in their "late round pitching development". They must be extremely high on this Hill kid (LHP). Point being Caminiti is there and they draft the same type of player back-to-back when the system is void of a legit LH starter (in true MN fandom, I'm hoping-but-not-expecting much from Priellip). I too am in AZ and saw Caminiti throw 3x and despite his age, he is POLISHED for being 17. 

I do get the HS pitching was down a bit and college bats/arms were better, but Caminiti has a much higher ceiling than Festa in my opinion and I'd rather draft the "best" HS arm in the draft and walk away with Culpepper or DeBarge at #33. Amick could be steal of the night.

I've heard Tim Anderson comparisons....Wouldn't that be nice!!

50 minutes ago, madtowntwin said:

I've heard Tim Anderson comparisons....Wouldn't that be nice!!

IF he can hit like Anderson does --- or rather, did (Miami just released him after his disappointing start to the  season) ---that would indeed be nice. 

To be honest, I wasn't too excited about this draft. I like Culpepper's work ethic  & character. I also like that the Twins have gotten away from the big bat type & went after a line-drive hitter. Was Culpepper an underslot to where they could get an advantage down the line?

The Twins' organization is full of pseudo SSs, where very few will stick at SS & be acceptable at the position & none will be exceptional. 

9 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

To be honest, I wasn't too excited about this draft. I like Culpepper's work ethic  & character. I also like that the Twins have gotten away from the big bat type & went after a line-drive hitter. Was Culpepper an underslot to where they could get an advantage down the line?

The Twins' organization is full of pseudo SSs, where very few will stick at SS & be acceptable at the position & none will be exceptional. 

 

You are right; not an exciting draft. But also like you noted, if we are able to target those players with a real good work ethic and strong character, combined with the necessary patience and development, then maybe we will be smiling at the results a few years down the road. Always gotta hope!

8 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Just recent history for the Twins, Dozier, Sano, Polanco, Arraez, Miranda, Castro, and Lewis were all SS originally. And I'm sure I'm forgetting someone.

Cuddyer & Gordon were others in the 1st round out of HS.

10 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'd have taken one of the top catchers in round one. This system has none, imo. 

I was hoping the same to begin '24 because many said this was a good crop of catchers. But as I looked closer none of them interested me. It's a case of too little too late. Last year's top college catchers Teal & Carrigg were potential elite catchers. None of these prospect's arms, athletism & bat impresses me. IMO few will stick at catcher. Since last year I see our only hope is to find a very good defensive young MLB-ready or a very soon-to-be catcher to trade for. I hear no talk so I'm not holding my breath.

11 hours ago, Hubie29 said:

That must be 26 SS drafted in the last 5 years.  Camaniti would have been my pick. 

SS are generally the most athletic guys on a team.  Most high school SS never pan out at majors, and the few of the college guys do as well, however, if they can play SS they can play just about anywhere else.  If they can play only 1B they have limited options if they suck there.  SS is a hard position to fill, so having plenty that can fill in is helpful too.  Also, they have increased trade value if they can actually stick there. 

In terms of Camaniti, from what I read he is LSU commit and was expected to go much higher, meaning he most likely will be looking for above slot deal.  Atlanta may be able to get it done, but sometimes guys slide in drafts for a reason.  HS pitchers are so volatile as well. He may just decide to go to LSU and in 3 years hope to be much higher pick. 

11 hours ago, Paul Walerius said:

But is he related to Daunte?

He’s too thin to be related to Dante! No common DNA there. 

12 hours ago, Jeremy Nygaard said:

The best athletes are going to play shortstop and can almost always play anywhere else. He might be a better fit at 3B or 2B. 

The best college SS defensively and projects to play SS long term

10 hours ago, Dman said:

The Twins are big on high character guys and I heard there might be questions about Camaniti in that regard.  He was heavily connected to SF and they didn't take him.  Lot's of the top teams had their chance.  I think there were reasons he fell down boards.

He's a high school pitcher. That's plenty enough reason for him to fall down the draft boards. I'm not a fan of the rumor mill attacking the character of a teenager. The overwhelming majority of teenagers have some growing up to do. I assume Caminiti is no different from most teenagers.

Looks like a future outfielder. Looking forward to seeing how this guy hits! 

The only pick I like is the LH pitcher, IF they can sign him. Passing on other top pitchers and a catcher (which we have none of) not to mention OF is a big mistake!

I thought KLaw's analysis of Culpepper was interesting.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5638783/2024/07/15/mlb-draft-2024-analysis-first-round/

Quote

KLaw: "If you’re into drafting athletes with good swings who play up the middle, though, this is your guy."

Seems like he's got the defensive chops to stick at SS and the kind of swing that will get a lot of hits, and if the Twins can work on getting him to be more selective on what he offers at, they'll have a real player. A reasonable choice at 21.

Janek might have been an interesting pick in a weak catching class, Caminiti is a higher-risk, higher reward player, but Culpepper looks to fit a lot of what the Twins try to do and has a lot of potential. I never mind drafting position guys at SS, C, or even CF; where they finally land defensively works itself out and I don't know that you can ever have too many options in the system at those spots.

So, where does he rank? Is he top 10? He's definitely not top 5 with Jenkins, Lee, Rodriguez, Keaschall and Festa ahead of him.

21 hours ago, PseudoSABR said:

Mod: Can user names not be used for propaganda.  Come on.

Mod: Be sure to run all User Names through P-Sab.  He is clearly the authority on determining what User Names are acceptable.  How dare fellow Twins fans be permitted to identify themselves as they wish?? 

P-Sab, You've told us everything we need to know about you ........ let's stick to baseball.

Huh.  At this point not thrilled with any.  I thought the Kentucky OF would have been good at 33 but he went right before.  I guess we'll see on all.

On 7/14/2024 at 9:14 PM, PseudoSABR said:

Mod: Can user names not be used for propaganda.  Come on.

Re-evaluating my opinion of Jesus based on this guy's username.

On 7/14/2024 at 8:57 PM, JesusisLord7 said:

Caminiti is the son of Ken Caminiti former Astro player. I'm in Arizona. He is polished. Really good outfielder as well. Sometimes you need to role with the bloodlines. 

 

The steroid user? If you're going to cite bloodlines, you have to mention the rest...

On 7/14/2024 at 11:14 PM, DocBauer said:

Just recent history for the Twins, Dozier, Sano, Polanco, Arraez, Miranda, Castro, and Lewis were all SS originally. And I'm sure I'm forgetting someone.

Knoblauch (okay, not recent, but since it's in the OP's user name)