Grading the Minnesota Twins' last 5 first-round draft picks
2021 - Chase Petty, P/Mainland Regional High School (NJ): A
- Round 1, Pick 26
- Current Team:Â Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds Triple-A)
Seeing an A+ grade for a pitcher who is in the minor leagues for another organization may seem odd. However, since the right-hander was part of the trade that sent Sonny Gray to the Twins, the grade is well-deserved. Gray, who accumulated 7.8 fWAR over two seasons with Minnesota, played a vital role in helping the Twins win their first playoff series in 21 years three seasons ago.
2022 - Brooks Lee, INF/Cal Poly: B+
- Round 1, Pick 8
- Current Team:Â Minnesota Twins
Lee hasn't lived up to his potential as a top-10 pick, but when looking at the players selected after him in the first round of that draft, it seems Minnesota made the right decision to select the Cal Poly product. Lee is having the best season of his MLB career since making his debut in 2022. In 87 games this year, Lee is slashing .250/.305/.434 (105 wRC+) with 14 home runs and 48 RBI.
2023 - Walker Jenkins, OF/South Brunswick High School (NC): A+
- Round 1, Pick 5
- Current Team:Â St. Paul Saints (Triple-A)
Jenkins has already battled through multiple injuries throughout his short professional career, but he still made it to Triple-A and is thriving there as a 21-year-old. Jenkins, the Twins' No. 1 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, is slashing .272/.385/.440 (117 wRC+) with three home runs, 13 RBI and seven stolen bases over 34 games with the Saints this season.
2024 - Kaelen Culpepper, SS/Kansas State: A+
- Round 1, Pick 21
- Current Team:Â St. Paul Saints (Triple-A)
Culpepper, Minnesota's No. 2 overall prospect, has quickly risen through the minor-league ranks, already knocking at the door of his MLB debut. He missed a chunk of the season due to injury, but has otherwise been excellent, slashing .272/.376/.492 (123 wRC+) with 14 home runs, 43 RBI and 15 stolen bases across 63 games.
2025 - Marek Houston, SS/Wake Forest: A
- Round 1, Pick 16
- Current Team:Â Wichita Wind Surge (Double-A)
When drafted, Houston was viewed by many as the best defensive shortstop in the draft class. There were questions about his bat, but he's quickly proved he can hit at a high level. In 67 games between Double-A and High-A this season, Houston has hit .314/.396/.432 (118 wRC+) with five home runs, 24 RBI and 32 stolen bases.
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