Minnesota Twins select Kansas State shortstop Kaelen Culpepper in 2024 MLB Draft The Minnesota Twins have selected Kansas State shortstop Kaelen Culpepper with the No. 21 pick in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft. Culpepper appeared in 61 games for the Wildcats this past season. There, he batted .328 to go with a .419 OBP while totaling 80 hits, 50 runs, 32 extra-base hits, 11 home runs and 59 RBIs.
He also proved to be a more aggressive base-runner in 2024, logging a career-high 17 stolen bases all across 244 plate appearances. Culpepper has switched between third base and shortstop throughout his K-State career but found his rhythm between the bags during his junior season. While many see his tremendous upside, scouts have pointed out whether or not his lateral quickness gives him the ability to succeed at shortstop at the major league level.
A transition back to third base isn’t out of the question once he turns pro, as his strong arm allows him to cover ground on the hot corner. Not only did he have the best season of his career at K-State, but he was also coming off being the top hitter (.471/.526/.853) on the U.S. collegiate national team during the summer which featured fellow 2024 draftees Charlie Condon, Jac Caglianone, JJ Wetherholt and Braden Montgomery. “Culpepper has a disciplined approach that prioritizes making consistent contact and using the entire field,” his MLB scouting report reads.
“He has well-above-average bat speed and enough strength to produce average power, yet he has a flat swing and rarely drives the ball in the air.” He logged a batting average of .318 with wooden bats in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2023. However, his scouting report believes he will top out at 12-15 home runs per season in the big leagues. “Culpepper handled shortstop on the Cape and in fall practice better than scouts expected, though he probably lacks the lateral quickness to play there regularly in the big leagues,” his report continued. “He has at least plus arm strength and is a potential Gold Glover at third base, though that position would demand more power production than shortstop. He’s an average runner and an opportunistic base stealer.” Coming into the 2024 MLB Draft, Culpepper was rated as the No. 31 overall prospect by the MLB Pipeline rankings. He does have eligibility to return to Kansas State in 2025 if he so chooses.
