Twins Minor League Report (7/31): Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins Remind Twins Fans That Good Things Are Possible

tony&rodney · August 1, 2025

33 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Oh, he's been an absolute monster, no doubt. But it's 70 games.

Joe Ryan should bring back 2 near MLB ready top 100 type guys, plus more. Kyle Teel has 32 games of a 117 OPS+ and the White Sox got 3 other guys on top of that. Ober should bring back at least 1 near MLB ready top 100 guy, plus more. If Wallner gets his s*** together the rest of the year he would bring back another one. I mean, you're talking about giving yourself 4 swings at the next Kurtz. You just have to pick the right guys.

Trading 2 established playoff quality starting pitchers (plus more) for 1 player sounds like something that's probably never happened in the history of baseball.

Nothing makes me believe the Twins will be able to successfully trade for position players of note (athletes). The past record doesn't support any trust. Pitchers? Yes. Position players? No.

When you respond that my crazy trade seems like too much it makes me think that others might think so too. That makes say - Do it.

I am still rational and know this will not occur but I do wonder if the Twins actually can get a really good return for Ryan and Ober or if the return is players who can maybe mash as a DH or have high grades and no chance to play with their current organization. In other words - extra guys.

TwinsDr2021 · August 1, 2025

14 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Oh, fully agree about the motivation to watch and cheer for the Miranda, Julien, Gasper, Outman team. But that shouldn't be the team's motivation for calling up the young guys an extra month early. I don't think waiting an extra month pushes off the rebuild. Not meaningfully, at least. And, I don't think there is a "rebuild." I think they're going to try to win next year. It's why Outman is here in the first place.

I am just locked on to what Baltimore did with Holiday, brought him up a bit early and he was overwhelmed and looked completely over matched (last year), sent him down to work on that. Was able to insert him right into the starting lineup at the start of the year. (he hasn't been great but looks like he will be somebody they can run out there for years to come and work on seeing what they have in somebody else. (similar to Henderson who had better results, he was a bit latter and he was still a "rookie" the next year)

So if the Twins wait until it doesn't take away the rookie status, I would be down with that; with Jenkins for sure because of his age, but Culpepper turns 23 over the winter and if they are just starting his process next year, it is very unlikely he ends up the player the Twins and us hope he can be. (Worried less about his ROY possibilities than Jenkins.

If they don't have some of these guys kind of figured out going into next year, well it is the rinse and repeat of the Miranda, Julie, Wallner, IMO.

Steve Lein · August 1, 2025

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Jenkins looks like he's going into more ABs ready to let it rip earlier in counts. He has a little more Mauer in him at this stage than I'd prefer (I mean, I'll take a HOF career) in that his natural approach appears to me to be to take his singles or doubles to left center and be good with it. But lately it's felt (I don't watch enough to have anything more than hunches and feelings and guesses at this stuff) like he's gone up there looking to do more damage, especially early. His swing looks more violent, but still in a controlled way. In that HR AB yesterday he even swung hard enough on a couple swings that he lost his balance a little which I thought was weird for him and then he went yard.

This is exactly what I've been saying about Jenkins, almost exactly the comment about Mauer.

There has been a bit of the change you are talking about. I've thought his swing looked lazy last year and early after his return this year. Like there was no effort behind it, purely contact oriented. Some might refer to that as having an "effortless swing," but where that became a term known to people in my generation was Ken Griffey Jr., and Jenkins absolutely was not driving the ball like he did. I definitely think Jenkins swing has gotten faster, but it is still very controlled. He hits a lot of balls well, but I would highly doubt he has high max exit velocity numbers at this point. He hit the homer yesterday pretty hard though, didn't have much of a launch angle and got out.

All that said, the dude is 20-years old, and I think he actually looks pretty lean this year. There's certainly still power potential.

chpettit19 · August 1, 2025

31 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Nothing makes me believe the Twins will be able to successfully trade for position players of note (athletes). The past record doesn't support any trust. Pitchers? Yes. Position players? No.

When you respond that my crazy trade seems like too much it makes me think that others might think so too. That makes say - Do it.

I am still rational and know this will not occur but I do wonder if the Twins actually can get a really good return for Ryan and Ober or if the return is players who can maybe mash as a DH or have high grades and no chance to play with their current organization. In other words - extra guys.

Oh, I have no faith in their ability to actually pull off good trades, but that doesn't mean I think they should trade all that for 1 guy with 70 MLB games under his belt.

I will say that they have gone after better athletes recently in both the draft and trades. I mean Outman and Roden are far better athletes/defenders than Larnach and Wallner. But, no, I don't trust them to trade all those guys separately for great returns. My only hope at this point is that the sale happens and it's a new front office running the offseason. But I'm not holding my breath.

chpettit19 · August 1, 2025

10 minutes ago, Steve Lein said:

This is exactly what I've been saying about Jenkins, almost exactly the comment about Mauer.

There has been a bit of the change you are talking about. I've thought his swing looked lazy last year and early after his return this year. Like there was no effort behind it, purely contact oriented. Some might refer to that as having an "effortless swing," but where that became a term known to people in my generation was Ken Griffey Jr., and Jenkins absolutely was not driving the ball like he did. I definitely think Jenkins swing has gotten faster, but it is still very controlled. He hits a lot of balls well, but I would highly doubt he has high max exit velocity numbers at this point. He hit the homer yesterday pretty hard though, didn't have much of a launch angle and got out.

All that said, the dude is 20-years old, and I think he actually looks pretty lean this year. There's certainly still power potential.

I think they said 109 off the bat on the broadcast. He's a big boy and there's definitely power potential in there. And I don't think the homers need to come now. A bit like Manny Machado who hit a ton of doubles early in his MLB career and they just naturally progressed into HRs as his career went along.

If he just keeps squaring the ball up and making adjustments he's going to be just fine.

bunsen82 · August 1, 2025

41 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Oh, fully agree about the motivation to watch and cheer for the Miranda, Julien, Gasper, Outman team. But that shouldn't be the team's motivation for calling up the young guys an extra month early. I don't think waiting an extra month pushes off the rebuild. Not meaningfully, at least. And, I don't think there is a "rebuild." I think they're going to try to win next year. It's why Outman is here in the first place.

And maybe Miranda or Julien actually look good (I'm not betting on it or making an argument that they're likely to, just saying it's technically possible) for the rest of the year in the majors. Then maybe you can get a rookie ball pitcher with a 4.50 ERA this offseason instead of just DFAing them. Never hurts to add an asset.

Outman is here next year. I have to assume. Why else trade for him? Just get fan favorite "cash considerations" if you're just going to cut him immediately. So may as well get him up here to impress us all from the jump! And Gasper may be our Vazquez replacement next year. So may as well throw him behind the dish now and see what you have (I've watched him in AAA and despise that idea, but I'm just some random guy on the internet).

From a fan perspective I'm totally with you. No desire to watch the team they're likely to run out there and will be watching far more minor league games the rest of the year than Twins games. But I don't want them to compound what I already feel are bad roster decisions with more bad roster decisions. But, like I said, I think they're trying to win next year so I don't expect to see any of those young guys up early next year anyways so it's really all moot anyways.

I hate my Twins fan life right now.

Chpettit, we haven't always been on the same page but I really respect your view, curious to see your views on the next year as I am really struggling with the information we can surmise.

1. The players they traded for do not match up with a total rebuild. You picked up Outman (Buxton replacement, possibly run as a starter to rehab value), Roden (OF/1st Baseman, post hype prospect), Taj Bradley (4 years of control, post hype prospect) appears to be back end starter with potential to be a 2/3. They took players basically to supplement next years starters.

2. They continued to take offers on Ryan. Meaning they either think he is overvalued, or this is a total rebuild and he is your most valuable asset. At that point Lopez and Ober and Jeffers are not safe although I would have no idea who we would have catch.

3. How quickly can you rebuild a legit bullpen, we will have some failed starters to throw at the problem, but I still see this as a 2 year rebuild. Find a couple free agents, blow through the dfa lists. Pitch them until you find something. It still takes time though.

I will watch, for no other reason than trying to see which one of the young guys take the bull by the horns and the game starts clicking for them. So with the opportunity who will it be, Martin, Julian, Miranda, Roden, Outman, Abel, Bradley, Matthews??? It will be worth watching. I figure Buxton and Ryan will be getting a lot of rest the remainder of the year, as we tank for better draft capital and see if we can find anything useful out of the mess we have made the remainder of the year.

Cory Engelhardt · August 1, 2025

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Really? I do that trade all day, every day. Kurtz plays defense too and actually can go 1st to 3rd. I was just making a crazy idea. If there was even a remote chance that something like this would work, it should have been explored. Hell, add Raya. Kurtz is among the best young players in baseball.

It's too much pitching to give up for a 1B, even if he is good.

chpettit19 · August 1, 2025

1 hour ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

I am just locked on to what Baltimore did with Holiday, brought him up a bit early and he was overwhelmed and looked completely over matched (last year), sent him down to work on that. Was able to insert him right into the starting lineup at the start of the year. (he hasn't been great but looks like he will be somebody they can run out there for years to come and work on seeing what they have in somebody else. (similar to Henderson who had better results, he was a bit latter and he was still a "rookie" the next year)

So if the Twins wait until it doesn't take away the rookie status, I would be down with that; with Jenkins for sure because of his age, but Culpepper turns 23 over the winter and if they are just starting his process next year, it is very unlikely he ends up the player the Twins and us hope he can be. (Worried less about his ROY possibilities than Jenkins.

If they don't have some of these guys kind of figured out going into next year, well it is the rinse and repeat of the Miranda, Julie, Wallner, IMO.

Oh, I'm all for calling them up this year. Especially Culpepper and Gonzalez. Just not until September.

I'd bring Miranda and Julien back today. Tell them they're starting every day for the month of August. Lefties, righties, doesn't matter. They're playing every single day. Their careers are on the line. Not just with the Twins, but in general. If they want anything other than a trip to Japan or some minor league deal next year they need to show something in August. I'd give them that chance. Wouldn't have high expectations, but they're on the 40-man so I'd give them their last gasp.

Come Monday, September 1st when the White Sox roll into town I'd have Culpepper and Gonzalez at Target Field ready to go. Probably Jenkins depending on how he looks in August.

If you're not going to look at Miranda or Julien again just DFA them now. Why even carry them? Are you going to bring them back for next year and see if they figure it out then? If you don't trust them now it's time to just give up. Let them go somewhere else and try to start over or bring them up and see if they can figure it out on the fly.

Fatbat · August 1, 2025

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

The extra month of ABs for guys like Jenkins, Culpepper, and Gonzalez aren't going to make or break their careers. They aren't going to win more games than Miranda, Julien, and Gasper in August with those 3 youngsters. Playing those 3 AA guys in the majors starting today would take them all well past their rookie eligibility without giving you any real added bonus. If any of them have monster years next year that would've won them the rookie of the year award all you did was cost yourself an extra draft pick.

What is the point of that? Calling them up today provides no real added benefit. Give Miranda, Julien, and Gasper types their last month to see if they can save their careers. Then drop whoever isn't going to be here next year to call up Jenkins, Culpepper, Gonzalez, etc. and give them every AB in September. They get their MLB experience while maintaining rookie eligibility.

Why wouldn't you want to give them MLB experience and also keep your chance to gain an extra late first round pick?

Great points! I didn’t consider that they could lose rookie status by spending the rest of the season in MLB. Maybe they will get a cup of coffee in September…

The_No_Lifer · August 1, 2025

15 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Roden (OF/1st Baseman, post hype prospect)

Agree with a lot of what you said, but I'm completely in disagreement with Roden. First, he is definitely an OF, and its SSS but he has been an above average defensive LF. Secondly, he only has 113PA in MLB, nowhere near post hype. ZiPS projects him to be a slightly above-average player. He is a legit asset and has a good chance to be in the lineup for 5 years after this.

nicksaviking · August 1, 2025

Man, most years when the team is struggling I want them to get moving on brining the young studs up.

Not this year, the MLB clubhouse is almost certainly a toxic space right now. Bad play, bad managing and bad vibes are contagious, keep them away.

Mike Sixel · August 1, 2025

1 minute ago, nicksaviking said:

Man, most years when the team is struggling I want them to get moving on brining the young studs up.

Not this year, the MLB clubhouse is almost certainly a toxic space right now. Bad play, bad managing and bad vibes are contagious, keep them away.

Great point.

Nice to see some good minor league play yesterday!

chpettit19 · August 1, 2025

14 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Chpettit, we haven't always been on the same page but I really respect your view, curious to see your views on the next year as I am really struggling with the information we can surmise.

1. The players they traded for do not match up with a total rebuild. You picked up Outman (Buxton replacement, possibly run as a starter to rehab value), Roden (OF/1st Baseman, post hype prospect), Taj Bradley (4 years of control, post hype prospect) appears to be back end starter with potential to be a 2/3. They took players basically to supplement next years starters.

2. They continued to take offers on Ryan. Meaning they either think he is overvalued, or this is a total rebuild and he is your most valuable asset. At that point Lopez and Ober and Jeffers are not safe although I would have no idea who we would have catch.

3. How quickly can you rebuild a legit bullpen, we will have some failed starters to throw at the problem, but I still see this as a 2 year rebuild. Find a couple free agents, blow through the dfa lists. Pitch them until you find something. It still takes time though.

I will watch, for no other reason than trying to see which one of the young guys take the bull by the horns and the game starts clicking for them. So with the opportunity who will it be, Martin, Julian, Miranda, Roden, Outman, Abel, Bradley, Matthews??? It will be worth watching. I figure Buxton and Ryan will be getting a lot of rest the remainder of the year, as we tank for better draft capital and see if we can find anything useful out of the mess we have made the remainder of the year.

Oh, nothing but respect here either. I'm here for the disagreements. If we all saw things the exact same way it'd be a pretty boring site! Part of my struggles with yesterday (well, last week since not all the trades were yesterday) is that it's hard to see a true plan. So, it sounds like our struggles are the same.

The bullpen rebuild is where I'd guess I disagree most with the front office. My stance is they're not trying to rebuild but instead reshape/retool/whatever. They're trying to win now and later. But in order to do that they now need to build an entirely new bullpen. I think they think they can do that significantly quicker than I think they can. I think their plan is exactly how you described it and I think it's going to be a tough watch next year. Or, maybe, they take their 3-4 inning "not starter, not reliever" strategy from the minors this year and try that in the majors next year with Abel, Bradley, SWR, Festa, Matthews, Raya, etc.? I don't know. But either way, I think it's going to be rough.

My view on next year is that it's going to be a mess. I think they're going to try to compete and I think that's a mistake. I hope they trade Ryan, Lopez, and Ober this offseason and go full rebuild. Trade Larnach (should've traded him yesterday). Right now it's very hard to see what path they're taking. My hope is that the offseason clears things up some, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm going to watch, too, but I won't be setting aside time for them.

I'll be watching to see who gets called up the rest of this year. That's the best way, I think, for us to guess what their plans are for next year. If they start calling up young guys that's probably a bigger sign a true rebuild is coming. If it's only the 25- to 29-year-old types getting ABs through the end of the season it's probably confirmation that they're going to try to go for it next year. Will be very interesting to see who they give ABs to. Lewis, Lee, Buxton, Larnach, Jeffers, Wallner, Clemens, Keaschall all going to get a bunch I'd assume. Will be interesting.

Connor Gould · August 1, 2025

Anyone know anything about that pitcher Josh Klein that threw the 5 scoreless AA innings yesterday? I hadn't heard of him, but I checked his stats, and he's got a 3.12 ERA in 80.2 innings with 95/24 K/BB at AA this year. Is he a legit prospect?

rdehring · August 1, 2025

Although this isn't a minor league question, Seth, it is related.

Have been checking the Twins site to see who is playing tonight in Cleveland. As of 2:04 EST they still have only 9 position players on the roster along with 8 pitchers. I guess they can field a team, but am anxious to see who is getting recalled.

On the other hand, they also need to be moving a lot of players up throughout the organization to field teams in all four leagues. Certainly hoped Falvey took today's ticket expense into his savings calcuations yesterday, cause they are gonna be big. Although I suppose they could rent a small bus in Toledo and have 8-10 guys make the two hour trip to Cleveland.

Dman · August 1, 2025

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Oh, I'm all for calling them up this year. Especially Culpepper and Gonzalez. Just not until September.

I'd bring Miranda and Julien back today. Tell them they're starting every day for the month of August. Lefties, righties, doesn't matter. They're playing every single day. Their careers are on the line. Not just with the Twins, but in general. If they want anything other than a trip to Japan or some minor league deal next year they need to show something in August. I'd give them that chance. Wouldn't have high expectations, but they're on the 40-man so I'd give them their last gasp.

Come Monday, September 1st when the White Sox roll into town I'd have Culpepper and Gonzalez at Target Field ready to go. Probably Jenkins depending on how he looks in August.

If you're not going to look at Miranda or Julien again just DFA them now. Why even carry them? Are you going to bring them back for next year and see if they figure it out then? If you don't trust them now it's time to just give up. Let them go somewhere else and try to start over or bring them up and see if they can figure it out on the fly.

I think that is a good point in regards to Julien, Gasper, Miranda and I'd include Larnach to some degree. You look at the Rule V guys for next year and it is quite the list. 7 arms on that list with two for sure adds and I'd argue at least 4 more that are likely. That's a lot of 40 man space to take up. Kind of makes you wonder if that is why they were somewhat willing to unload the pen arms as some these will need to move there. They can't wait on all of them to be starters.

If Julien shows something he could be an asset and they should find out. Larnach looks like he could be sold as a platoon bat if he continues to hit to the end of the season. I like that Outmen and Roden are better runners, but they'll need to show progress with the bat as well. The FO needs to figure out what they have going into the offseason as I think they will be looking at more trades to finalize the roster. While they have the room I'd assume they add some of the potential Rule V guys early if they plan to add them later anyway.

Connor Prielipp

Kendry Rojas

Andrew Morris

CJ Culpepper

Christian MacLeod

John Klein

Corey Lewis

Gabriel Gonzalez

Hendry Mendez

Ricardo Olivar

Mike Sixel · August 1, 2025

11 minutes ago, Dman said:

I think that is a good point in regards to Julien, Gasper, Miranda and I'd include Larnach to some degree. You look at the Rule V guys for next year and it is quite the list. 7 arms on that list with two for sure adds and I'd argue at least 4 more that are likely. That's a lot of 40 man space to take up. Kind of makes you wonder if that is why they were somewhat willing to unload the pen arms as some these will need to move there. They can't wait on all of them to be starters.

If Julien shows something he could be an asset and they should find out. Larnach looks like he could be sold as a platoon bat if he continues to hit to the end of the season. I like that Outmen and Roden are better runners, but they'll need to show progress with the bat as well. The FO needs to figure out what they have going into the offseason as I think they will be looking at more trades to finalize the roster. While they have the room I'd assume they add some of the potential Rule V guys early if they plan to add them later anyway.

Connor Prielipp

Kendry Rojas

Andrew Morris

CJ Culpepper

Christian MacLeod

John Klein

Corey Lewis

Gabriel Gonzalez

Hendry Mendez

Ricardo Olivar

Makes you wonder why they traded for guys that have to be on the 40 man.....well, makes me wonder.

Dman · August 1, 2025

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Makes you wonder why they traded for guys that have to be on the 40 man.....well, makes me wonder.

Yeah they are going to have to trade more guys or DFA them. There isn't going to be room for everyone. Or take the risk guys don't get lost for nothing in Rule V and those loses are the toughest because those are pre arb players that you developed that would be helping another team.

Pitchers get taken because they can be hidden in the pen. I don't know much about Mendez, but it seem he has an up arrow because he came into some power this year. I don't know if they would add him or not, but assuming since they traded for him they probably would.

tony&rodney · August 1, 2025

3 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

It's too much pitching to give up for a 1B, even if he is good.

Well, it is just a crazy idea. I totally understand why you and chpettit19 believe it is too much pitching and it isn't something the teams would discuss in any event. Still, I'll disagree and make that trade. K. Culpepper, Kurtz, Keaschall, Jenkins would be something to build on.

Right now the Athletics offense is terrific, although they did lose Wilson to an injury.

I suspect I will watch more minor league games than Twins. I know there have been down years but this team has been my worst Twins experience since April of 1961.

Cory Engelhardt · August 1, 2025

Just now, tony&rodney said:

Well, it is just a crazy idea. I totally understand why you and chpettit19 believe it is too much pitching and it isn't something the teams would discuss in any event. Still, I'll disagree and make that trade. K. Culpepper, Kurtz, Keaschall, Jenkins would be something to build on.

Right now the Athletics offense is terrific, although they did lose Wilson to an injury.

I suspect I will watch more minor league games than Twins. I know there have been down years but this team has been my worst Twins experience since April of 1961.

How about for a separate idea (instead of giving the pitching staff for Kurtz) going to Boston and trying to get Tristan Casas from them? Maybe there is a world where a trade can be made for him this offseason?

I do think they need a true middle of the order bat. I'd rather try and add someone coming off a down year compared to someone coming off a 4 homer game anyway.

tony&rodney · August 1, 2025

4 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

How about for a separate idea (instead of giving the pitching staff for Kurtz) going to Boston and trying to get Tristan Casas from them? Maybe there is a world where a trade can be made for him this offseason?

I do think they need a true middle of the order bat. I'd rather try and add someone coming off a down year compared to someone coming off a 4 homer game anyway.

Tristan Casas doesn't play first base. They put him there, but he is a pure DH. I want the incompetent defense to end and that requires ahletes who can field. Juan Soto is not a good outfielder but he doesn't usually botch the easy plays. Kurtz is a good first baseman now and will get much better. Boston will use Casas if he can hit 35-40 home runs.

Yes, a guy like Kurtz is a dream. Maybe in another decade. The chaos of the Twins is chasing me off blogs and hopes due to the type of baseball favored by the front office. It's too much to take. Take care.

Cory Engelhardt · August 1, 2025

2 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Tristan Casas doesn't play first base. They put him there, but he is a pure DH. I want the incompetent defense to end and that requires ahletes who can field. Juan Soto is not a good outfielder but he doesn't usually botch the easy plays. Kurtz is a good first baseman now and will get much better. Boston will use Casas if he can hit 35-40 home runs.

Yes, a guy like Kurtz is a dream. Maybe in another decade. The chaos of the Twins is chasing me off blogs and hopes due to the type of baseball favored by the front office. It's too much to take. Take care.

See, I'd be good adding a middle of the order bat somehow, even if they are a DH or a !B. They haven't had that since a healthy Nelson Cruz left, and I think that's a need.

weitz41 · August 1, 2025

Under current circumstances a little upbeat minor league report is needed. Thanks Seth.

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Twins Minor League Report (7/31): Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins Remind Twins Fans That Good Things Are Possible

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