Twins cut Kaelen Culpepper, Aaron Sabato from big-league camp
The Minnesota Twins announced Wednesday evening that top infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper and first baseman Aaron Sabato have been cut from big-league camp and reassigned to minor-league camp.
Sabato, 26, hasn't lived up to the Twins' expectations since being selected in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft. The first baseman has yet to reach the majors and has struggled significantly this spring, going 3-for-13 with six strikeouts.
As for Culpepper, the 2024 first-round pick from Kansas State University has looked like the player we've hoped he'd become this spring training. In his first big-league camp, the shortstop went 6-for-19 with a double and two RBI. He has yet to make it past Double-A, and many expect him to begin the season with Triple-A St. Paul.
Sabato, who ended last season with the Saints, may be in the majors at some point. But it's hard to imagine he'll stick there.
Culpepper, 23, is a different story. The consensus top-100 prospect is expected to be a key part of the Twins' 26-man roster for a long time. As long as he starts the 2026 season on the right foot, the infielder should find himself on Minnesota's 26-man roster at some point this year.
Twins prospect Kaelen Culpepper deserves MLB opportunity in 2026
Seeing Culpepper have a strong spring is a good sign for Twins fans who hope he makes his MLB debut this year. Culpepper, the Twins' 2025 Minor League Player of the Year, began last season with High-A Cedar Rapids, where he hit .293/.385/.479 (147 wRC+) with nine home runs, 34 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 247 plate appearances over 54 games before earning a promotion to Double-A Wichita.
Culpepper continued his success with the Wind Surge, slashing .285/.367/.460 (130 wRC+) with 11 home runs, 30 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 270 plate appearances over 59 games.
As a shortstop, Culpepper could likely play second base and third base in the majors. If Brooks Lee holds onto the starting shortstop role, the Twins may call up Culpepper to play second base. Luke Keaschall is expected to be Minnesota's starting second baseman this season, but could be moved to the outfield if needed. Lee may continue to struggle at shortstop as well, which could allow Culpepper to claim the Twins' starting shortstop role. We also all know how injury-prone Royce Lewis is. If Lewis suffers a significant injury, then Minnesota may want Culpepper to take over third base.