Nearing Promotion, Minnesota Twins' Top Shortstop Prospect Heads to Injured List

In the midst of a poor stretch, the Minnesota Twins have continued to mix their options at the shortstop position. With the team recently designating Orlando Arcia for assignment, their alternatives have been open.

It had seemed possible that a spot for one of Minnesota’s red-hot prospects could be imminent. Instead, a move for a coveted minor leaguer in Triple-A will have to wait.

Kaelen Culpepper, the Twins’ top shortstop prospect who appeared close to a promotion to the major leagues, was placed on the Triple-A injured list with a left hip strain on Tuesday afternoon.

The 23-year-old was removed from a game on Saturday with Triple-A St. Paul for what the Twins described as glute tightness, but the team did expect his absence to be brief.

Initially, he was considered day-to-day and was expected to miss around three to five days before it was decided he would need an IL stint. Instead, a potential call-up to the big leagues for Culpepper has been put on hold.

Currently MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 Twins prospect, Culpepper has been due for a promotion to the bigs. He has spent the entirety of the season in Triple-A and has been mashing at the plate, owning a .273 average with 14 home runs, 43 RBI and 15 stolen bases.

In June, Culpepper had taken another step toward showing he was ready for the next level. In 10 games this month, he had a 1.099 OPS and was hitting .368, building on a month of May where he had hit .280.

Since the team DFA’d Arcia, the Twins have been rolling out Ryan Kreidler as the starting shortstop with Tristan Gray also seeing time at the position. The production from the pair has been below average and a boost at shortstop could be used.

Culpepper joins a list of Minnesota minor leaguers who have been plagued by injuries. Each of the Twins’ top three prospects — Walker Jenkins, Culpepper and Emmanuel Rodriguez — all currently sit on the Triple-A injured list.

Jenkins, the Twins’ top prospect, is rehabbing in the Twins’ low minors and is on track to return soon to Triple-A. But with the injury to Culpepper, Minnesota’s plans for a potential shortstop promotion will have to be put on hold. 

It is unclear when Culpepper will return to the field, as a timeline has yet to be determined and the severity of the hip injury is unknown.