Kaelen Culpepper
| Kaelen Culpepper | |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Twins | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: December 29, 2002 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Kaelen Kenneth Culpepper (born December 29, 2002) is an American professional baseball infielder in the Minnesota Twins organization.
Amateur career
[edit]Culpepper attended Saint Benedict at Auburndale in Cordova, Tennessee. As a senior, he hit .394 with six home runs, 30 runs batted in (RBI) and 13 stolen bases. He committed to Kansas State University to play college baseball.
Prior to his freshman season at Kansas State, he played for the Norwich Sea Unicorns of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League in 2021. As a freshman in 2022, he started 48 of 51 games at third base and hit .283/.356/.428 with five home runs and 22 RBI. After the season he played for the Bluefield Ridge Runners. As a sophomore in 2023, Culpepper started 40 games, hitting .325/.423/.576 with 10 home runs and 41 RBI.[1] After the season, he played for the United States national baseball team and in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Harwich Mariners.[2][3]
Culpepper entered his junior season as a top prospect for the 2024 Major League Baseball draft.[4][5] He moved from third base to shortstop.[6][7]
Professional career
[edit]Culpepper was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round, with the 21st overall selection, of the 2024 Major League Baseball draft. On July 30, 2024, Culpepper signed with the Twins on a $3.9 million contract.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "K-State's Culpepper, Neighbors listed among top MLB draft prospects". The Mercury. 10 October 2023.
- ^ "Neighbors, Culpepper reflect on season, Team USA". WIBW 13. 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Kaelen Culpepper". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ "K-State's Culpepper projected as 1st round pick". The Mercury. 20 December 2023.
- ^ "NEW: Top 100 Draft prospects for '24". MLB.com.
- ^ "No. 28 Draft prospect Culpepper powers K-State in desert finale". MLB.com.
- ^ "Kansas State's Kaelen Culpepper continues to shine bright". 247 Sports.
- ^ "Twins sign 2024 first-round pick Kaelen Culpepper to $3.9 million deal". si.com. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Kansas State Wildcats bio
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