This week we’re back to looking at a kid who should be getting his MLB call-up soon and deserves some coverage, like Cooper Pratt a few weeks ago for the Brewers. I took liberties with the title, but that’s what we do here at Razzball. Rarely do I delve into the epic poem of the 14th century, the Ex-Vikings Quarterback, and the 2026 MLB SAGNOF target with seven names. The name of the hope we hide in this week of theft is Kaelen Culpepper.
Culpepper was the Twins’ first-round pick in 2024, taken 21st overall out of Kansas State. In 2025 across High-A and AA ball, he hit .289 with 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases. His K-Rate was 17.4%, and his BB rate was 9.7%. He is repeating the same this year at AAA. The average is slightly below .269, but he has hit 14 home runs to go along with 15 stolen bases. His hit tool has never been rated as great, but his speed and pitch recognition skills are solid.
He just got back Saturday from two weeks in IL with a left hip problem, but he looks healthy. It’s possible that if he hadn’t been injured, he would have been called up to replace Kyler Fedko earlier this month. Right now the only thing stopping him at SS in the majors for the Twins is the combination of Tristan Gray and Ryan Kreidler, who have combined for 4 Home Runs and 4 Stolen Bases on the season. Gray is second to last in the Fielding Run Value metric at Statcast, so the glove isn’t playing well. So far, Culpepper has only 3 errors in 165 chances.
In terms of baserunning, Culpepper has 44 Minor League stolen bases and has been caught just 7 times. The average speed looks solid, and he should easily reach the top 100 in MLB.
The moral of the story is that he will be called up soon and should play almost every day. It’s definitely worth keeping an eye on for an alluring power/speed combination throughout the season.
Here is this week’s Stealth Base Leaderboard
Speed Dials
1 for 2 last time as AJ Ewing cashed us out. Now 3 for 13 on the season. These are good predictors of Stolen Base broadcasters on specific dates. We only looked at a few days, but you can do this anytime you set up your list.
Wednesday, July 1st – Mets vs Blue Jays
Tyrone Taylor/AJ Ewing – I’m not sure who will be in center compared to left fielder Patrick Corbin. Tyrone Taylor started in left center Sunday after coming off the IL. Anyone should be on Speed Dial today. Taylor is no longer a young man at the age of 32, but his running speed since the beginning of last year is still 29.2 Ft/Sec. Ewing, we’ve talked a lot in these articles and we come in at 29.7 Ft/Sec. Corbin is allowing .151 SB/IP, but should help when Luis Torrens is behind the plate. Torrens is #! on the hunter throwing leaderboard from early 2025. Francisco Alvarez averages in the middle of the pack when he’s behind the plate.
Thursday, July 2nd – Cardinals vs Braves
Bryan Torres – I think the Cardinals are looking for some spark with Torres getting a few starts last week. He has stolen 10 bases in the minors this season in 166 plate appearances. He will face Bryce Elder and the Braves. The senior is allowing a .126 SB/IP and an 86.7% success rate. Drake Baldwin ranks 65th out of 68 professional catchers in steals per season.
As always, if you want more next week, when we don’t have direct contests, hit me up here or on Twitter @TheGreatKnoche
