Kaelen

Culpepper

Culpepper was 5-for-15 with two doubles and a triple in five games before getting hurt. The 22-year-old shortstop was the 21st overall pick in last year’s draft.

Culpepper, the 21st overall selection this year, hit .297/.366/.541 in nine games for low-A Fort Myers. He’s thus far played six games at short and one at third base. Expectations are that he’ll progress pretty quickly, adding to the potential logjam the Twins face with Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, Jose Miranda, Brooks Lee, Willi Castro, Edouard Julien and Luke Keaschall between shortstop, third and second.

Culpepper receives a full-slot $3.9 million deal from Minnesota as the 21st overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft. The 22-year-old shortstop doesn’t project as a future fantasy standout, but he does a little bit of everything and has some long-term stolen base upside.

Culpepper was a three-year start for the Wildcats and hit .328/.419/.574 while adding 17 steals and 11 homers over 61 games in 2024. The 21-year-old is an assertive hitter who has shown a willingness to get on via walk, and his strong bat speed and willingness to go the other way gives him a good chance to hit for a high average at the next level. There are power questions that weren’t answered by a bad showing in the Cape Cod League (.699 OPS with a .318 slugging percentage), but 15-plus homer seasons are possible with added loft. He also will compensate for so-so power with the ability to steal bases, so Culpepper is a solid -- if flawed -- fantasy prospect.