The Twins selected outfielder Michael Helman out of Texas A&M in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. It looked like he would be a star after he posted a .919 OPS in 39 games across Rookie Ball and Low-A in his first season of professional baseball. However, he experienced significant regression in 2019, posting a .524 OPS in High-A, and subsequently missed the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, Helman struggled with consistency at the plate and injuries in the minors, but still managed to reach Triple-A St. Paul in 2022. After finally putting up solid numbers for the Saints (.838 OPS) across 72 games in 2024, Helman made it to the major leagues with the Twins as a September callup that year. In 10 plate appearances with the Twins, Helman went 3-for-10 with two doubles.
The Twins traded Helman to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for cash in Feb. 2025. After posting a lowly .553 OPS in 18 games with Triple-A Memphis, Helman was placed on waivers and claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in May. Helman lasted just a few days with the Pirates organization before being designated for assignment and claimed by the Texas Rangers.
In 53 games with Triple-A Round Rock, Helman slashed .245/.304/.440 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs. The Rangers recalled Helman in late June, and he had two hits, including one home run, and two walks in 13 plate appearances before being sent back to Triple-A Round Rock in late July. Then, Texas recalled Helman again on Aug. 22 as a corresponding move to placing outfielder Evan Carter on the injured list with a right wrist fracture.
Former forgotten Twins prospect Michael Helman making shocking impact in AL Wild Card race
Helman hasn't let his opportunity with Texas go to waste. The Rangers trailed the Houston Astros by 7 1/2 games for first place in the American League West when they recalled Helman in Aug. Now, Texas trails the Astros and Seattle Mariners by just two games for first place in the AL West and the third AL Wild Card spot in large part due to Helman's performance.
In 23 games with the Rangers, Helman has hit .255/.328/.600 for a 152 wRC+ with five homers and 17 RBI across 62 plate appearances while playing spectacular defense in center field.. He has already been worth 0.7 fWAR and 1.0 bWAR in his limited time with Texas.
Michael Helman lines a @Rangers GRAND SLAM! pic.twitter.com/reiFDGf98P
— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2025
Michael Helman robs Brice Turang with an incredible snag! pic.twitter.com/agGrrQs5bI
— MLB (@MLB) September 10, 2025
Helman is hot, and the Rangers will continue to use him as long as he keeps producing. If Texas sneaks into the postseason, then Twins fans will be able to root for their favorite team's former prospect and former Twins reliever Danny Coulombe in October.