Offensive production from shortstops is always inconsistent in the majors.
Carlos Correa has started turning it on for a few weeks now, but he was mired in one of the worst stretches of his career. Brooks Lee was a solid replacement while Correa was on the injured list for a week. However, he’s still figuring things out at the plate in his sophomore season.
But it’s hard not to be impressed by the stellar production from two potential future shortstops currently in the minor leagues. Their two infielders at High-A Cedar Rapids are getting a ton of love so far in 2025, and their prospect status is rising on a national scale.
Kaelen Culpepper
What more is there to prove for the starting shortstop at High-A Cedar Rapids?
Minnesota’s first-round selection in last year’s draft has demolished Single-A pitching and has shown a competent glove (which was very much to be expected). The former Kansas State Wildcat boasts a .302/.405/.496 triple slash in 35 games with the Kernels, and is knocking on the door for a promotion to the next level.
A three-year starter in college, Culpepper was a high-floor prospect when the Twins took him 21st overall in last year’s draft. Evaluators loved his fielding tool, especially with a strong arm that should last at the shortstop position for years to come.
He also flashed with his bat as an amateur, including 26 home runs in 151 games played. The young infielder didn’t project to hit for power, but it’s starting to emerge for the 22-year-old. However, in 35 games this season, Culpepper has already popped six bombs and eight extra-base hits. His 50-grade run tool is also handy. He has already racked up 11 steals in 13 attempts.
Culpepper has gained some national steam as of late. The Athletic’s Keith Law ranked him No. 45 in his Top-50 prospects update last week.
The Twins have also helped him cut down on some of the tendency to chase that kept him from going somewhere in the top half of the first round, whether it’s including all pitches outside the zone (24 percent this year, versus 31 percent in college) or those well outside the zone (19 percent, down from 24 percent).
He’s an above-average shortstop who might get a little better with more consistency, and I might have undersold his bat a little on draft day.
Kyle DeBarge
Just 12 picks after selecting Culpepper, the Twins nabbed DeBarge, another college shortstop. Minnesota received this supplemental first-round pick when Sonny Gray signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Since the Twins had extended the qualifying offer to Gray, they would receive a pick right after the first round as compensation.
The Twins are hoping DeBarge can live up to that reputation, and he’s doing just that this year. The 21-year-old owns a .264/.390/.428 slash in 41 games at High-A, and he has become a shining star on the base paths. The former Ragin’ Cajun from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has stolen an eye-popping 27 bases this season and was thrown out for the first time on Wednesday night.
DeBarge’s on-base capabilities paired with that elite base-stealing is a strong combination for any prospect, but especially for someone who can also show some positional flexibility.
“He’s a guy who can really run,” Kernels Manager Brian Meyer told The Cedar Rapids Gazette’s Jeff Johnson last week. “[DeBarge] obviously hit for power and did some different things (in college), but it’s something our scouts identified throughout the draft process and everything, something he’s been super open to.
“He wants to do it. He wants to be that force on the base paths. He’s always asking questions.”
If the Twins promote Culpepper to Double-A Wichita, look for DeBarge to receive more playing time at the shortstop position. Still, until then, it’s easy to feel the excitement generated from the middle infielders in Cedar Rapids.
