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Twins Getting Aggressive With Top Pick Kaelen Culpepper

Originally posted on Minnesota Sports Fan
By Ted Schwerzler | Last updated Aug 19, 2024 7:32 PM ET

The Minnesota Twins drafted Kaelen Culpepper with the 21st overall pick during the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. It took a bit for him to sign, but that was never in doubt. How quickly he would ascend the ranks was to be seen, but early returns are incredibly positive.

Minnesota Twins already promoting Kaelen Culpepper

Following Sunday night’s contest for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, reports trickled in that Kaelen Culpepper had been promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids. He has played in just nine games at the Low-A level, but his advanced approach requires a new test.

It was a quick 9 games in Low-A for Kaelen Culpepper, who has been called up to High-A @CRKernels.

The #MNTwins 1st round pick hit .297 with 5 XBH, 9 RBI, 3 BB and 2 SB (.907 OPS) with the @MightyMussels pic.twitter.com/RCJ2nMl2mi
— John Vittas (@JohnVittas3) August 19, 2024

In the nine games he spent with Fort Myers, Culpepper posted a .906 OPS with five extra base hits. His two home runs were nice to see, and with just 11 last season at Kansas State, power isn’t exactly his game.

At High-A Cedar Rapids, Culpepper will join top Twins prospect Walker Jenkins. A season ago, after being selected fifth overall, Jenkins made the jump to Low-A Fort Myers after 14 Complex League games.

Playoff push for Minnesota Twins prospect Kaelen Culpepper

Part of the reason behind promoting Culpepper to the next level is that Cedar Rapids could use the boost. The Kernels are just 4.5 games back of a playoff spot. Technically, with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers already owning a spot as the first half West division winner, the Kernels need to chase down just the Quad Cities River Bandits (who they trail by just a single game).

The experience will be invaluable for Culpepper, and he’ll get to make the push alongside Walker Jenkins. The 19-year-old brought an advanced approach from Low-A and has begun to heat up 16 games in for Cedar Rapids. Culpepper has experienced the Big 12 in college, as well as playing on The Cape, and can help to impart wisdom on Jenkins as well.

KC YOU LATER

Kaelen Culpepper hits his second professional home run to cut the deficit to 1!

Top 8 | Flying Tigers 3, Mussels 2 pic.twitter.com/RWkhhDeI6m
— Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (@MightyMussels) August 17, 2024

Minnesota will get a chance to see what the aggressive promotion results in from Culpepper. He should start the 2025 season at Cedar Rapids again, and could conceivably see Double-A Wichita at some point next summer. It’s possible Culpepper winds up on top 100 lists to start out next season.

It has been a strong start to Culpepper’s career, and the latest achievement isn’t slowing down the hype train.

This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.

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