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The Twins could have an interesting decision to make in the middle infield over the next two seasons. On one side, they have Kaelen Culpepper, their first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, who broke out offensively in his first full season with the organization. On the other, there’s Marek Houston, their 2025 first-round pick and a rapidly rising prospect who has established himself as the best defensive prospect in the Twins’ system. Both players have the athleticism and defensive ability to play shortstop, and both have the potential to become everyday major leaguers. With Houston continuing to climb through the minors and Culpepper already getting his first taste of the majors, who should actually play the position long-term?
There’s a pretty strong case for either player. Houston’s defensive reputation is well-deserved. He has the range, athleticism, instincts and hands to become an elite defender at the major-league level, and his continued offensive development has made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the organization. Culpepper, meanwhile, has already shown that he can handle the position. The 21st overall pick has gotten off to a hot start in the majors, posting a .755 OPS in 111 plate appearances. That’s obviously a small sample, but it’s an encouraging start, particularly considering his offensive development over the past year.
When the Twins drafted Culpepper out of Kansas State, his glove was further along than his bat. He had impressive range, a strong arm and plus speed, giving him the tools to stick at shortstop while his offense developed. That development has started to happen. Culpepper posted a 20/20 season in his first full year in the minors, showing legitimate power and speed potential. If that production carries over to the majors, he could offer something particularly valuable: an above-average offensive profile from the shortstop position.
Given Houston's reputation as the better overall defender, the natural assumption would be to put him at shortstop and move Culpepper elsewhere. After all, shortstop is a premium defensive position, and you generally want your best defender playing there. But I don’t think it’s quite that simple. Culpepper has an important advantage in this particular comparison: his arm. He's looked like an above-league-average defender since reaching the majors, and his arm strength gives him a particularly good chance to remain at shortstop.
If Culpepper and Houston ultimately have similar range and athleticism, I’d rather put the stronger arm at short. Throws from deep in the hole and across the diamond can be difficult even for major-league defenders, making arm strength one of the more important tools at the position. That doesn’t diminish Houston’s defensive ability. It simply means that his skillset could be just as valuable at second base, where his range and athleticism would allow him to cover plenty of ground without putting as much emphasis on his arm.
Culpepper doesn’t have to move simply because Houston is coming. The Twins could keep Culpepper at shortstop and let Houston take over at second, allowing both players to maximize what they do best. Houston might ultimately be the better defender, and if he develops into the elite defender many expect him to become, there will be plenty of arguments for putting him at short. But Culpepper has already demonstrated that he can handle the position, and his stronger arm gives him a compelling case to stay there in the short term. When Houston first comes up, Brooks Lee is still likely to be the team's third baseman, but after just a year or two, it's likely that Lee will move on to another organization, and then Culpepper could slide to the hot corner, while Houston crosses the keystone.
If he becomes an above-average hitter while remaining a capable defender at shortstop, the Twins would be getting a well-rounded player at a premium position. Houston could then bring his defensive ability to second base, where he could become one of the best defenders at the position. That combination could be special.
Culpepper and Houston have the potential to become one of the best young middle-infield tandems in the league, particularly if both reach their respective ceilings. Rather than viewing Houston’s emergence as a reason to move Culpepper, the Twins could view it as an opportunity to put two talented players on the field together.
Of course, there’s still plenty that needs to happen first. Culpepper has been in the majors for all of a month, while Houston still has to finish his development in the minors and prove that his defensive ability will translate against major-league hitters and baserunners. But based on the tools both players currently possess, I think the better fit is fairly clear.
If their range and athleticism are similar, give Culpepper the shortstop job because of his stronger arm. Let Houston’s defensive ability shine at second base. The Twins could have two legitimate long-term middle infielders without either player having to sacrifice his strengths. And if everything breaks right, Culpepper at shortstop and Houston at second could give Minnesota one heck of a young middle infield.
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