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    Could Payton Eeles Soon Make Major-League Debut for Minnesota Twins?

    The 25-year-old utility player is showcasing his contact-oriented profile at Triple-A St. Paul after returning from offseason knee surgery. Could the fan favorite soon make his major-league debut?
    Cody Schoenmann

    By Cody Schoenmann

    Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

    Twins Video

    After missing the first two months of the minor-league season recovering from an offseason knee surgery, 25-year-old utility player Payton Eeles returned to baseball action last month with a rehab assignment divided between Low-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids. Over his 13-game rehabilitation stint, the left-handed hitting fan favorite hit a combined .334/.420/.425 with 14 hits, two doubles, and a 144 wRC+ over 50 plate appearances. After a brief stint in the low minors, Eeles returned to Minnesota's state capital, rejoining the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, hoping to build on his breakout 2024 campaign.

    Over just four games played, the former Southern Maryland Blue Crab is hitting .353/.389/.353 with six hits, one walk, and a 102 wRC+ over 18 plate appearances. Now, 68 combined plate appearances are a notably small sample. However, Eeles has yet to hit a home run while netting only one extra-base hit, an outcome that is antithetical to the relative power surge the 25-year-old underwent at Triple A last season (eight home runs over 260 plate appearances). Eeles could course-correct and begin hitting for power again. For now, though, his contact-skilled profile has been on display early in his 2025 Triple-A campaign, evidenced by his well-above-average .353 batting average and 5.6% strikeout rate.

    Similar to last season, Eeles is demonstrating aggressiveness on the basepaths, stealing four bases during his low minors rehab assignment and two at Triple-A. While continuing to be a contact-skilled left-handed bat who provides value on the bases, Eeles has continued to exhibit defensive flexibility, garnering playing time at the following positions early this season:

    • Shortstop (18 innings during rehab assignment; 19 innings at Triple-A)
    • Left Field (21 innings during rehab assignment)
    • Second Base (26 innings during rehab assignment; 18 innings at Triple-A)

    He also netted three starts as a designated hitter during his rehab assignment. Regardless, the young utility player has played exclusively at second base and shortstop at St. Paul. while also seeing time in left field during his rehab assignment. Like many of Minnesota's young, homegrown position players. Eeles isn't fixed to one position. Part of his value manifests from his positional flexibility. Combining Eeles's profile at the plate with his positional flexibility, there is reason to speculate he could soon earn a spot on the Twins' 40-man roster and make his major-league debut.

    Two weeks ago, this proclamation could have been deemed far-fetched. Eeles was still in the midst of his rehab assignment and the parent club was filled to the brim with healthy infielders, in Brooks Lee, Willi Castro, Kody Clemens, Royce Lewis, Jonah Bride, and Carlos Correa. However, given Lewis's recent struggles at the plate, Clemens showing signs of regression, Bride providing little-to-no value, and the offense's anemic state, there is reason to believe the playoff-hopeful club could benefit from inserting a jolt like Eeles into the mix.

    Purchasing Eeles's contract would be a straightforward transaction for Twins decision-makers, as they could designate minor-league journeyman Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment. Yes, Eeles will need to continue maintaining a high batting average and on-base percentage while showcasing some of the slugging capabilities he displayed with St. Paul last season to make his potential promotion to the next level realistic. However, given his promising start to his 2025 campaign (following a serious offseason procedure) and the current lackluster state of the parent club's offense, there is reason to believe the former Indy ball product could make his major-league debut before the All-Star break.

    Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

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    Featured Comments

    chpettit19

    chpettit19 23,687

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

    1 hour ago, Dman said:

    That is some excellent analysis! Kudos on the comp.  Hard to disagree with what those underlying numbers are telling us.

    I just feel like his his contact approach brings down those hard hit rates.  Maybe it is just hope but I feel like he could develop Dozier pull side power.  That might bring the average down, but I feel like he might be able to develop that.  Otherwise as you stated it is going to be hard to distinguish between Eeles and a lot of other guys.  

    At one point it looked like he had no shot and last year he showed he can play all they way to the AAA level.  Hopefully he can keep it going, but other teams are going to be more ready for him.  I want him to succeed so badly I might be blinded a bit, but I think he can show more power and I think that can give him the edge he needs to break in.

    Kwan developed more power last year by looking to drive balls on the inner third to the pull side early in the count. Can certainly be the same sort of approach Eeles takes. I certainly don't mean to say he has no power at all, just that I don't think people should expect him to be a 15-20 HR guy like his 8 HRs in 260 PAs suggest he may be. Kwan hit 14 last year, though. And he's at 5 already this year. 

    I'd be over the moon if Eeles can get there. Following the Kwan trajectory and being more BA/OBP with a .380-.400 (or even a little lower) slug to start and working his way up to more of a .420-.440 slug would be an incredible outcome for him. I love him and how he plays the game. There's no one in the Twins system I'm cheering for more (outside of Jenkins because he has team ceiling lifting talent). And I think he has a real shot at reaching the bigs. I just don't see the ceiling on his power being that high. But I've been wrong many, many times before. And would be more than happy to add this to that ever-growing list.

    mikelink45

    mikelink45 17,618

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    3 hours ago, arby58 said:

    He was shining in college at 21 at Cedarville University, to the tune of 1 HR and an .871 OPS against inferior college opposition. Altuve, at 21, between A+ and AA, had 10 HRs and a 1.017 OPS. Eerily similar comps?

    I know - you are the second one to want to burst my bubble - but I am hanging on to hope.

    purplesoldier4u

    purplesoldier4u 186

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    9 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

    Agree with your take.

    I wanted to add that Jacob Wilson might be the new standard for swing and hit. Wilson's .372 average with 16 Ks, 14 BB, and 23 XBH along with 5 SB while playing a decent shortstop is really something. Watching him is nearly comical as he hits bloops, blasts, frozen ropes, and broken bat hits all over the field on every type of pitch in crazy locations. There was an interesting article on Fangraphs on May 23 about his batting stance and The Athletic had a good article on him on June 2. Wilson was picked 6th in the draft immediately after Walker Jenkins. 

    Arraez has fallen below .280 AVE sadly. He might struggle to get a decent contract next year as a slow DH who doesn't hit many XBH and provides next to no defense.

    Wilson is a friggin' unicorn!

    DocBauer

    DocBauer 22,233

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    Got a lot to say here, going to try and break down my thoughts.

    A] I'd still like to see McCusker get a legitimate shot at some point. Odds are he wont make it as he's just not contact focused and has a huge strike zone. But the power is HUGE. And no matter his background, age, or K numbers, it's just hard to ignore someone...even in a hitters league/park who has an OPS over 1100. I mention him because he was mentioned in the comments, and because Eeles is also an Independent Ball signee. But I think the Twins probably view Eeles differently because...

    PRO'S:

    1] Eeles has a small strike zone and has a contact first approach and doesn't K to any large degree. Plus, while not a "kid", 25yo at AAA isn't exactly old. 

    2] Eeles is short at 5' 5"...hence the not exactly accurate Altuve comps...but he's carrying somewhere between 180-190lbs. If you look at him, he carries that weight well, and has the thighs and backside that you'd expect him to drive the ball with at least some authority. I'd say he's more "pop" than "power". But that doesn't mean he can't/won't jack a few HR here and there, potentially, but with his speed should lead to Dbls and Triples. But for NOW, that pop/power is missing. But he's only just got back on the field for about 2 weeks now. 

    3] Speed plays, and the Twins could use more. A good contact, line drive hitter who gets on base and has speed? Yes please! The Twins could use another sparkplug in their lineup.

    4] I don't know how good his defense is. I do recall Eeles talking last season about concentrating on his defense. And I recall Gardenhire talking about his hard work and lots of improvement. Despite playing a handf games in CF in 2024, and his usage at SS as well for a few games then, and recently, I'd suspect he's truly a 2B and LF option. Being able to play 2 spots, and maybe cover 2 others on an occasional or emergency roster shuffle situation doesn't hurt. But if he's solid to good at 2 spots, that's fine.

    CONS:

    1] Agreed he may have missed his initial opportunity by having knee surgery at a bad time. He likely would have been a ST invite if healthy, and might have gotten a shot earlier this season when injuries and poor play created roster shuffling.

    2] Good, bad, right or wrong, Miranda and Julien are on the 40 man and PROBABLY ahead of him just based on that fact.

    3] He probably needs another 2-3 weeks minimum to get his legs fully under him, flash some of the XB power he's shown before, in order to get ready. Keaschall should be back in July, mid July at the latest. I'm certain the Twins would bring him up before Eeles. 

    I think his contact, hit ability, BB ability for a good combined OB%, and speed might make him a decent ML ballplayer. But he IS behind a group of other players. So I don't see "SOON" as a target for his arrival, barring injuries of course.

    I think his best opportunity probably comes in 2026 when Castro is probably gone. Especially if he could indeed play a passable SS. That only adds versatility to his game as a potential #3 option behind Correa and Lee at the spot. And if the bat and speed repeat what he did in 2024 for the rest of this season, he could be a really nice bench option next season while Schobel, Culpepper, and DeBarge make their way up.

    I hope he gets his shot at some point as I think his game/ability plays at the next level. But I think his 1st window already closed because of his injury and recovery time.

    JD-TWINS

    JD-TWINS 6,138

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    12 hours ago, Jasper said:

    Eeles just needs a chance, he could easily replace Bride for a few games.

    What’s the point? Team doesn’t need to be auditioning guys for 2 week stints. They’ll need a 40 man spot when Keaschall comes off the 60 day IL……..seems Bride is in until then……another 5 weeks, give or take.

    How about getting more than 18 AB’s at AAA this year before jumping him to the roster?

    Clemens - Lee - Castro all ahead of him at 2B (Keaschall coming) - he’s not displacing anyone at SS.

    ashbury

    ashbury 60,678

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    12 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

    Eh. I still think i'd rather have Buxton up. The super contact guy is very nice in extra innings when your team is up in the bottom of the 10th and just needs 1 run to get the win, but holy cow that's a limited role. 

    Not to mention that the opposing manager might choose to simply walk your super contact guy.

    D.C Twins

    D.C Twins 4,783

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    On 6/9/2025 at 10:23 AM, tony&rodney said:

    Agree with your take.

    I wanted to add that Jacob Wilson might be the new standard for swing and hit. Wilson's .372 average with 16 Ks, 14 BB, and 23 XBH along with 5 SB while playing a decent shortstop is really something. Watching him is nearly comical as he hits bloops, blasts, frozen ropes, and broken bat hits all over the field on every type of pitch in crazy locations. There was an interesting article on Fangraphs on May 23 about his batting stance and The Athletic had a good article on him on June 2. Wilson was picked 6th in the draft immediately after Walker Jenkins. 

    Arraez has fallen below .280 AVE sadly. He might struggle to get a decent contract next year as a slow DH who doesn't hit many XBH and provides next to no defense.

    Love Arraez, but the Twins absolutely crushed that trade!

    KBJ1

    KBJ1 163

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Eales for a cup of coffee and lose Bride? Sure. Can Eales pitch is the only question?

    What we need is Keaschall!!

    Been waiting for a lineup of Keaschal, Correa, Lewis, Buxton, Wallner ALL healthy and productive all year. With the state our pitching is in now, we are going to need an All Star lineup to win any games. Dfa Alcala and trade to get Ryan Pressley back. Lol. Looking like one of our worst trades ever.



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