Minnesota Twins Unveil MiLB Players of the Year

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Kaelen Culpepper, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Each year the Minnesota Twins look to compete at the major league level. They didn’t do a great job of that this season and are going to lose 90-plus games for the first time since 2016. That has also translated into a 25-year low attendance figure.

While competing at the highest level is always the goal, the lifeblood of an organization is the farm system. Right now Minnesota has one of the best in baseball. They relied on some of that depth too early this year, but there are pieces waiting in the wings to contribute.

When the Twins host their annual Diamond Awards event each winter, two of the awards handed out are for Minor League Pitcher and Hitter of the Year. Now we know the recipients.

Culpepper and Prielipp lands MN Twins MiLB Awards

The Minnesota Twins came into this season with plenty of exciting pitching depth. Many of those prospects will close in on the big league level next season. On the hitting side, top prospects Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins were expected to lead the way. Both had stellar seasons and one of them lands an award.

Culpepper was the Twins 1st round pick (21st overall) in the 2024 MLB Amateur Draft. He made the All-Star Futures Game this season and earned a promotion from High-A Cedar Rapids to Double-A Wichita.

Across 113 games, split almost evenly between the two stops, Culpepper batter .289/.375/.469. He recorded 16 doubles, launched 20 homers, and stole 25-of-29 bases. The entire profile is one to dream on as things have developed better than expected.

Culpepper looks like he can stick at shortstop, and even if he moves to third base, the power has played much more than anticipated. There was a chance for him to earn a Triple-A promotion, but it’s likely he starts there, or winds up in St. Paul quickly next season.

On the mound Connor Prielipp had his breakout season. A second round pick in the 2022 MLB Amateur Draft, Prielipp was a highly-regarded, hard-throwing lefty from Alabama. He came with injury concerns and those slowed his professional career out of the gate.

Healthy this season, Prielipp pitched 82 2/3 innings between Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul. He owned a 3.65 ERA and 10.7 K/9 in 61 2/3 innings with the Wind Surge. Prielipp threw 21 innings with the Saints, and while he 5.14 ERA and 13 walks leave something to be desired, he held onto the 10.7 K/9.

Minnesota handled Prielipp cautiously this season given his injury history. He was on tight pitch counts and didn’t go deep in games. That could change next year as he looks to crack the big league rotation, or he could be utilized in shorter stints as a high-ceiling option to supplement a barren bullpen.

Both players are key parts of Minnesota’s future at the big league level. Each of them put up highly-deserving seasons.

Four MN Twins prospects named Double-A All-Stars

It wasn’t just the Twins organization putting out notable prospect awards today. The Texas League, Double-A home of Wichita, named their 2025 All-Star Team as well. Four Minnesota Twins prospects made the cut.

Kala’i Rosario, Kyler Fedko, Kaelen Culpepper, and Pierson Ohl all represent the Twins system among the recipients. Fedko and Ohl both made their way to St. Paul, with the latter pitching this season with Minnesota. Culpepper gets the Twins MiLB Hitter of the Year award, and Rosario parlayed his second trip through the Arizona Fall League into his best professional season.

Fedko certainly could have been in consideration for hitter of the year honors as well. The former 12th round pick (2021) batted .258/.367/.487 between Double and Triple-A. After hitting 19 homers over the past three seasons, he launched 28 this year. He also swiped 38 bags (in 46 attempts) and added another 25 doubles.

The standout season for Rosario culminated in a .256/.358/.487 slash line with 25 home runs and 35 steals (in 42 attempts). He added the speed after seeing others work that into their game during Fall League action.

Minnesota has a six-game road trip to conclude the major league season. Instructs have begun down in Fort Myers. The Arizona Fall League will kick off in October. Then it’s all eyes towards Spring Training 2026.

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