Twins Daily 2025 Top Prospects: #8 Kaelen Culpepper, SS

12 minutes ago, CrusherDoescher said:

Question….Twins always draft SS but in reality those drafted SS never become SS. Why is this and is this a problem with our scouting department ?  For a position  of such great importance, you’d have to say the Twins have failed!

Teams in HS and college put their best athletes at SS - that does not mean that they are suited for that in the pros, but these teams have fewer choices.  If they have a SS they put their best in CF.  The positions they play at those levels are irrelevant going forward.

Is he positioned well for the end of the Correa contract?  We have an abundance of infielders and it will we interesting to see how the FO takes advantage of this after they establish their payroll and sell the team.  But right now the current MLB group, plus Eeles, Keaschall, and Culpepper makes a really full cupboard.  Is it enough for them to consider trading Lewis or Lee or Correa?  

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I expect Culpepper's development will not happen at an accelerated pace. Full season at High-A this year, Double-A next season. If he misses some time due to injury, he'll make his Twins debut in 2028 at age 25.

Agreed. It's a good draft pick, with potential to start at short. 

18 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Culpepper impressed me with defense at SS, he was a lot better than I expected, He's a very good line-drive hitter, with good contact & doesn't SO much. Leave him alone, don't bulk him out & try to make him into a slugger, he could be another Correa (Correa is big, isn't a slugger or runs fast but he has excellent instincts) if he doesn't sacrifice speed for bulk.

I'm with you here for the most part. I mean, he'll get bigger, but I hope that's isn't the focus

4 hours ago, bean5302 said:

No, and the chances he is able to replace a 4-5 WAR SS (one of the best players in the game) is 1% at best. Correa was the #1 overall draft selection in 2012 and arguably the best shortstop in MLB just a few years later. Culpepper struggled at the plate in A+ ball last year and his fielding is probably middle of the road at best. 25% shot making MLB at all right now.

You misunderstand what I am saying.  Correa is the SS now and next year.  Does he stay there as he is aging?  Who takes his place when he either is traded, moves positions or finishes his contract?

What i remember initially about him was a potential selection with the comp pick and questions about staying at SS. And would he have enough bat for 3B? He felt like a tweener to me.

As the draft got closer, I began to read more reports that he had legitimate SS potential. Post draft...and i have to watch him play a lick...I've heard and read reports from those that watched him that he's definitely a true SS, as long as he doesn't outgrow the position, always a possibility. Not a GG caliber SS, but potentially a solid one. 

His bat and approach appear solid based on college production, scouting reports, and a generally solid debut. While a powerful, line drive swing is great for doubles, if he can adjust his swing for a little more lift, I could see some increase in power potential. He's got a good frame, and I'd hate to see him bulk up a lot and lose the SS ability. If he really does have the potential to stick at SS, then I'd like to see them concentrate a little more on elevating the ball for pop/power vs big muscle increase and lose speed and flexibility. 

Of course, if he really has potential 20HR power and GG ability at 3B, that's pretty hard to argue with, right?

Again, I thought he might be a tweeter initially. And he wasn't my target at 21 this draft as I thought there were some higher upside players available. But as he's debuted and I've read and heard more, I think they got a pretty intriguing young player to work with that might fit at 3 different spots. I'm getting a little more excited about him than when he was initially a consideration.

No question he's at CR to begin 2025. But with a sound approach at the plate, I could see him at AA before the season is done. 

I can also see a scenario where one of he, Keaschall, or Lee is moved as part of a deal a young catcher from someone else.

On 11/18/2024 at 8:30 AM, CrusherDoescher said:

Question….Twins always draft SS but in reality those drafted SS never become SS. Why is this and is this a problem with our scouting department ?  For a position  of such great importance, you’d have to say the Twins have failed!

The best players on any college team or high school team tend to play SS. A college coach or high school coach isn't going to play their best player at 2B because he might project as a 2B in professional baseball. That player is going to be his SS because he is the best they got.

Teams draft the best players on any college team or high school team. 

Therefore an excess of SS's drafted.

Therefore the strong possibility of moving to another position or positions in their professional career when they find themselves surrounded by lots of drafted SS's in the system. 

The Twins are just like the other 29 teams in this regard.