Twins reportedly calling up No. 2 prospect, shortstop Kaelen Culpepper, amid playoff push

The Minnesota Twins are seeking a boost to make a move in the AL Central and wild-card playoff races. And they're looking to one of their top prospects to provide that help.

Minnesota is reportedly calling up shortstop Kaelen Culpepper from Triple-A St. Paul, where he's posted a slash line of .271/.367/.478 with 14 home runs, 15 doubles, 46 RBI and 17 stolen bases this season. He is ranked by MLB.com as the organization's No. 2 prospect and No. 29 overall.

Culpepper, 23, was the Twins' 2024 first-round pick (No. 21 overall) out of Kansas State University. The team has not yet officially announced the promotion, but Culpepper is expected to join the team for this weekend's series versus the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Twins reportedly considered calling Culpepper up in June, but he suffered a glute injury that sidelined him for most of June and July.

Though he's hit well at nearly all levels during his ascent through the Twins' minor-league system, Culpepper's defense at shortstop had been a concern. However, he's improved significantly in that area, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes. The team's internal metrics credited Culpepper with five Defensive Runs Saved during June, prior to his injury.

"It's been really impressive how committed he's been to digging in defensively and trying to meet our challenge of improving his shortstop defense," Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll told Hayes. "He understands he can keep getting better."

Ryan Kreidler (.232 average, .689 OPS) and Tristan Grey (.225, .591) have been Minnesota's primary shortstops this season. Kreidler has played solid defense at the position.

But the hope is that Culpepper will provide more offensive production for a Twins lineup that has scored three runs or fewer in 11 of its 19 games since the All-Star break, including three shutouts. He has also played some at second base and third base this season, if needed there.

Going into this weekend, the Twins are tied for second place in the AL Central at 57-59 with the Cleveland Guardians, three games behind the Chicago White Sox. Minnesota is also just a half-game back from the Texas Rangers for the AL's third wild-card playoff berth, in a scrum with the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners.