Uber-Talented Twins Prospect Selected for All-Star Game, But…
Derek Shelton has turned the Minnesota Twins infield into something of a carousel this season, as he shuffles players around on a near-daily basis. Unfortunately, their most unstable position has been the most important: Shortstop.
They gave Brooks Lee a shot early this season, but he was never realistic to stick there. Tristan Gray isn’t even a good short-term solution. And despite the career season he is having playing both SS and subbing in CF, the Twins have made it clear that Ryan Kreidler isn’t it either.
Kaelen Culpepper to represent MN Twins in Futures Game
In reality, the MN Twins are awaiting the arrival of baseball’s No. 33 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Kaelen Culpepper, who’s hitting .272 with a .868 at Triple-A this season, good enough to earn him a spot in the 2026 All-Star Futures Game later this month in Philadelphia.
Congrats to Kaelen Culpepper for being selected to the 2026 All-Star Futures Game🌟@Twins | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/3dvAd3fWqZ
— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) July 1, 2026
Don't blink, you'll miss another Kaelen Culpepper homer!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 6, 2026
MLB's No. 37 prospect (@Twins) whacks a solo shot at 105.1 mph off the bat in the midst of a 12-game hitting streak for the Triple-A @StPaulSaints: pic.twitter.com/juEgAX5r2j
The Twins selected Kaelen Culpepper with the 21st overall pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. After he blasted 20 home runs in 113 games last season, between High-A and Double-A, the 23-year-old has already hit 14 this summer, in just 63 games.
But… Culpepper may be hurt again
Culpepper has been one or two hot streaks away from his first big league promotion for some time now. Unfortunately, he continues to run into injury issues. Which brings us to Tuesday night.
Less than one week after returning from the injured list (left hip strain), Kaelen Culpepper was hit by a pitch on his left hand during last night’s Saints game, left in pain.
Kaelen Culpepper was hit by a pitch on his left hand tonight.
— Ted (@tlschwerz) July 1, 2026
He left the game for the @StPaulSaints.
Was in significant pain.
With Kreidler playing good defense and batting .287 with an .862 OPS, Minnesota is in less dire straights than when they were starting Tristan Gray on a regular basis. Still, this is just the latest delay in what is now becoming a string of injury issues for yet another top Twins prospect.
Culpepper took ground balls pregame today for the @StPaulSaints.
— Ted (@tlschwerz) July 1, 2026
No more serious injury following the imaging. https://t.co/wg3LhJlJf8
After undergoing further imaging, it seems Culpepper is no worse for wear. He’s going to have some bruising and tenderness for a bit, but that’s far better than the alternative.
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