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The Minnesota Twins are running out of games on the 2026 schedule, which means the evaluation period is getting shorter. With the club's playoff hopes fading, September becomes less about squeezing every possible win out of the roster and more about determining which young players should be part of the next competitive Twins team.
There are plenty of intriguing names getting opportunities, but "young" and "ready for a 2027 job" aren't necessarily the same thing. Some players have already done enough to earn a spot. Others still have work to do. Here's where five of the organization's most important young players currently stand.
OF Luke Keaschall
2027 Job: Yes
Keaschall's first impression this season wasn't exactly what the Twins hoped to see. He hit just .217/.267/.275 over his first 131 plate appearances, while striking out 21 times. Minnesota eventually moved him down in the batting order, giving the young hitter an opportunity to work through his struggles without the added pressure that comes with hitting at the top of the lineup.
That adjustment appears to have worked. Since July 1, Keaschall has been one of the better offensive players in the American League. Over 53 games, he's hitting .319/.414/.497 with a .912 OPS. He's collected 59 hits, scored 29 runs, hit seven home runs, added 12 doubles and been hit by 14 pitches.
That's a pretty convincing response to his early struggles. The biggest question heading into 2027 is where Keaschall fits defensively. He's been worth negative OAA at both second base and center field, while his work in right field has been worth 0 OAA.
That's where the Twins should look to keep him moving forward, though a switch from right to left field would also make sense. Keaschall has shown enough offensively to earn a 2027 job. Now, Minnesota needs to find the defensive position that allows him to maximize his overall value.
SS Kaelen Culpepper
2027 Job: Yes
Culpepper is getting an opportunity, and earning the trust that comes with it. The rookie was moved up to second in the lineup over the weekend, a clear sign that manager Derek Shelton has confidence in what Culpepper is doing. In his first 100-plus plate appearances, he's hitting .297/.350/.451 with five doubles, three home runs and a 133 wRC+.
The underlying metrics support the production. Culpepper has shown impressive bat speed while making enough contact to give himself a chance to be a productive offensive player. That's an encouraging combination for a player still getting accustomed to the major leagues.
His defense has been just as encouraging. Culpepper has been worth 1 OAA at shortstop in his limited opportunity. More importantly, he's looked comfortable at a position where the Twins have struggled to find consistent production defensively this season.
His arm strength has stood out, too. Culpepper's throws have averaged 89.1 MPH, putting him in the 80th percentile. There are still plenty of questions to answer, but Culpepper has already done enough to earn a place on the 2027 roster.
OF Gabriel Gonzalez
2027 Job: Not Yet
On paper, Gonzalez looks like exactly the type of player the Twins could use. Minnesota has plenty of left-handed outfield options, creating a potential need for a right-handed platoon bat. Gonzalez could theoretically fill that role while providing some additional offensive upside.
The problem is that he hasn't quite earned it yet. Gonzalez's stock has taken a hit this season after a breakout 2025 campaign that earned him Twins Daily's Minor League Hitter of the Year honors. His overall production hasn't matched last year's level. At Triple-A this season, Gonzalez owns a .741 OPS and an 88 wRC+. Those numbers aren't overwhelming for a player trying to force his way onto a major-league roster.
That doesn't mean Gonzalez is out of the picture. He could still develop into the short side of a platoon and provide Minnesota with a useful right-handed bat. But that's something the Twins need to see him earn rather than simply assume. For now, Gonzalez belongs in the "not yet" category.
OF Walker Jenkins
2027 Job: Prove It
Few players in the Twins organization have more long-term upside than Jenkins. The tools are obvious. The potential is obvious. But major-league baseball has already provided the highly touted rookie with a few reminders that potential doesn't guarantee immediate success.
Jenkins hasjust one hit since launching the first home run of his career off position player Zach McKinstry on Aug. 31. Since that homer, he's 1-for-20 with eight strikeouts and three walks. Overall, he's hitting .125/.263/.281. Of course, we're talking about just 38 plate appearances. That's nowhere near enough to make a sweeping judgment about Jenkins's ability to hit major-league pitching. But that's also why he's in the "prove it" category. Jenkins doesn't have much left to prove at Triple-A. The question is whether he can translate that success to the majors consistently enough to force the Twins' hand heading into 2027.
If there's a roster crunch, Minnesota could send Jenkins back to Triple-A to begin next season. That wouldn't be an indictment of his future. It would simply give him more time to adjust. For now, Jenkins still has something to prove.
OF Emmanuel Rodriguez
2027 Job: Prove It
Rodriguez might have the most important evaluation left to complete before the offseason. He's out of minor-league options next season, meaning the Twins will need to put him on the Opening Day roster or expose him to the rest of the league. If another organization claims him, Minnesota could lose one of the most talented players in its system without getting the chance to see what he can do at the major-league level.
Rodriguez has certainly done his part in the minor leagues. Across three levels this season, he's hitting .284/.433/.544. His on-base percentage is at least .400 for the fifth consecutive season. With the Saints, Rodriguez has posted a .993 OPS, a mark that would lead the International League if he had enough plate appearances to qualify.
The talent has never been the question. Rodriguez has some of the best tools in the Twins' system. The bigger issue has been his ability to stay healthy long enough to turn those tools into sustained production. That's why Minnesota needs to get him some major-league at-bats before the season ends.
Rodriguez doesn't necessarily need to dominate. He needs to show that he can handle the level well enough for the Twins to feel comfortable putting him on the 2027 roster. The clock is ticking, and Rodriguez needs to give the organization a reason to keep him.
The Final Verdict
The Twins have plenty of young players worth watching, but September isn't simply about seeing who can make an exciting debut. It's about determining who has actually earned a role for next season.
Keaschall and Culpepper have done enough to receive the "yes" designation. Gonzalez is in the "not yet" category because his Triple-A production hasn't forced the Twins to make a decision.
Jenkins and Rodriguez fall into "prove it" territory for different reasons. Jenkins needs to show that his impressive minor-league performance can translate to the majors, while Rodriguez needs to take advantage of his opportunity before his lack of options forces Minnesota to make a decision.
There are still games left to change these evaluations. And that's exactly what makes the final weeks of the 2026 season so important. The Twins may not have much left to play for in the standings, but they have plenty left to learn about the players who could determine where this organization goes next.
Do you agree with how the players are categorized above? Who still has something to prove in 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
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