Twins should seriously consider demoting a former top prospect for a current one

The Minnesota Twins should consider demoting former top shortstop prospect Brooks Lee to Triple-A St. Paul and selecting current top shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper's contract.

Twins shortstop Brooks Lee continues to struggle at MLB level

Lee, MLB Pipeline's No. 18-ranked prospect in 2024, hasn't lived up to his potential since making his MLB debut two seasons ago. The shortstop posted -0.2 bWAR and a .221/.265/.320 (64 OPS+) slash line over 50 games in 2024, and -0.8 bWAR and a .236/.285/.370 (79 OPS+) slash line over 139 games in 2025.

Lee's struggles at the plate have continued through this season. In seven games this year, the former top prospect has been worth -0.2 bWAR with an awful .167/.250/.167 (23 OPS+) slash line over 20 plate appearances.

During Lee's struggles over the last two seasons, he at least limited strikeouts at an elite rate; he had a 14.6% strikeout rate in 2024 and a 17.5% strikeout rate (74th percentile) in 2025.

But this year, Lee has already struck out six times in his 20 plate appearances, which translates to a poor 30% strikeout rate. It's a small sample size, but it displays how much he is struggling this year.

If Lee, 25, were a great defensive shortstop, then it'd probably be in Minnesota's best interest to keep him in the lineup. Unfortunately, metrics suggest Lee is among the worst defensive shortstops in baseball. He posted -2 Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2024 and -4 OAA (15th percentile) last season. This year, he has -2 OAA (eighth percentile). He also had just one Defensive Run Saved (DRS) in 2024 and -2 DRS in 2025.

Lee's ability to limit strikeouts and consistently make contact could lead him to eventually live up to his prospect hype. Unfortunately, he hasn't done anything to prove that it will happen. The Twins should seriously consider demoting him to Triple-A St. Paul for a reset, which would make room for Culpepper.

Twins prospect Kaelen Culpepper looks ready for majors

Culpepper, MLB Pipeline's No. 52-ranked prospect, has impressed early in his first season with Triple-A St. Paul. In 38 plate appearances across eight games this year, Culpepper, 23, has hit .294/.368/.559 with three home runs and eight RBI.

Based on scouting reports, Culepper's shortstop defense is questionable. But he would still probably provide better defense at the position than Lee.

Twins primary owner Tom Pohlad has made it clear he expects Minnesota to be competitive this year. After losing the series finale to the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday, Minnesota's record dropped to 3-6, last in the American League Central. If Pohlad is serious about turning the Twins' season around before it completely spirals out of control, he should get Culpepper on the 26-man roster soon.

If the Twins keep Culpepper in the minors for about another week, they would gain an extra year of team control compared to calling him up now. Once he becomes eligible for that additional year, Minnesota should select his contract immediately.