After a poor season at Double-A Wichita, Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kyle DeBarge is dominating in the Arizona Fall League. DeBarge, 23, has slashed .371/.500/.657 with two home runs, nine RBI and four stolen bases over 10 AFL games this year.
During the regular season, DeBarge hit just .221/.325/.352 with 12 home runs, 49 RBI and 41 stolen bases over 120 Double-A games.
The Twins selected DeBarge with the No. 33 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He entered the 2025 season as Minnesota's No. 12 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
After hitting .237/.347/.362 over 121 High-A Games in 2025 and his poor 2026 season, DeBarge is no longer among the Twins' top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline. However, his strong numbers in the AFL this year prove he still could live up to the hype surrounding his name after being drafted.
MLB Pipeline projects DeBarge will reach the majors in 2027. He isn't known as a power hitter, and while he hasn't shown he can hit for average, he should eventually hit much better than his .230 career batting average suggests.
What DeBarge has done well so far in his professional career is steal bases and play strong defense. The infielder has stolen 122 bases over 267 minor-league games. He has a 55-grade fielding tool and a 60-grade arm. The former Ragin' Cajun won the 2025 Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Award at second base.
Does Kyle DeBarge have a big-league future with the Twins?
Will DeBarge be a superstar in the majors? Probably not. But he should at least reach the big leagues one day. His speed and defense are enough reason for the Twins to give him a look on the MLB roster in the future. If his AFL numbers signal an incoming breakout season, that will be even more reason to promote him to the majors.
Even though DeBarge is tearing it up in the AFL, it's hard to see him as a long-term everyday player in the Twins organization. Right now, the Twins' likely 2027 infield will include Brooks Lee, Kaelen Culpepper, Kody Clemens and Royce Lewis. Minnesota might consider moving on from Lewis this winter after three below-average seasons, but even so, the Twins have top shortstop prospect Marek Houston knocking on the door of his MLB debut.
Regardless of how he projects long-term, DeBarge undoubtedly deserves a shot to be in the majors one day.
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