It's time for the Twins to call up top prospect Kaelen Culpepper, whom Minnesota selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Kansas State. With Triple-A St. Paul, the 23-year-old shortstop has hit three homers in his last six games and has slashed .258/.381/.538 (133 wRC+) with seven home runs, five doubles, 21 RBI and seven stolen bases thus far in May. The Twins may consider promoting Culpepper, MLB Pipeline's No. 39 overall prospect, before Minnesota's upcoming seven-game homestand, which begins on Monday against the Chicago White Sox and includes a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals.
If Kaelen Culpepper isn’t playing for the Twins on Monday, Jeremy Zoll should be stripped of the job Derek Falvey left him with. pic.twitter.com/v4LRlNW2Ll
— Ted (@tlschwerz) May 30, 2026
Ever since the Twins optioned Royce Lewis to Triple-A and moved Brooks Lee from shortstop to third base, it has become clear Minnesota is planning to promote Culpepper soon, and he will begin his MLB career as a shortstop. The Twins' current shortstops, Ryan Kreidler, Tristan Gray and Orlando Arcia, aren't viable long-term options to start at the position.
"We're getting closer to the Kaelen Culpepper era."
— SKOR North - Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) May 27, 2026
– @DexsTweets on the #MNTwins moving Brooks Lee to third base pic.twitter.com/PgNCbk2scO
It's also worth noting that the Twins wouldn't have to remove anyone from the 40-man roster to select Culpepper's contract.
Culpepper or bust
— ⚾️❤️Kristy❤️⚾️ (@tonderk) May 30, 2026
The Twins could promote Culpepper today or tomorrow, but it'd make more sense to select his contract for Game 1 of the upcoming homestand. The Saints are headed back to St. Paul after this weekend anyway, and this way, he wouldn't have to make a trip to Pittsburgh for just one or two games.
Who will lose their roster spot when the Twins select Culpepper's contract?
Most likely, the Twins will get rid of Gray, Kreidler or Arcia to make room for Culpepper. Minnesota may also consider designating James Outman for assignment. However, with Byron Buxton still not cleared to play defense, the team likely wants to keep Outman for his ability to play center field for now.
Kreidler's roster spot is also likely safe since he can play center in addition to infield. That leaves Arcia and Gray as the most likely candidates to lose their roster spot when the Twins call up Culpepper.
The Twins selected Arcia's contract on May 19 as a corresponding move to optioning Lewis. Since being promoted, Arcia has gone 8-for-19 at the plate with one double and one walk.
Since Arcia is hitting the ball well, Gray will likely be the odd man out on the Twins' 26-man roster when Culpepper is promoted. Gray also has an option left, so the Twins could still keep him on their 40-man roster if they demote him. Gray had a hot start to the season but has regressed lately, lowering his season slash line to .239/.299/.364 (86 wRC+).
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