SS Kaelen Culpepper – Minnesota Twins
The Twins prospect is at AA Wichita but can reach the Majors in 2026 with continuation of his strong play. In 95 games, between A+ and AA, Culpepper is slashing .304/.384/.495 with 18 home runs, 61 RBI, and 23 stolen bases. His natural strength and contact skills have been the driving forces behind his success. He possesses a quick, compact swing and frequently gets the barrel contact by consistently keeping his hands inside the baseball. The prospect has spent most of his time at shortstop but has played the occasional games at second base and third. Minnesota’s current middle infield and third consists of Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, and Royce Lewis, and it is possible Culpepper makes a move to the outfield, ala Jackson Merrill, when he reaches AAA.
OF Hector Rodriguez – Cincinnati Reds
Rodriguez is an under-the-radar prospect viewed as a fourth outfielder during his first two years in the minors. The notion changed as he tapped into more power. The Cincinnati prospect has played 106 games, between AA and AAA, slashing .302/.360/.479 with 15 home runs, 56 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. His powerful, left-handed swing allows him to drive balls to the outfield gaps. Rodriguez’s aggressive approach has led to swings and misses, but he has managed a 15% strikeout rate this season. The outfielder is an intriguing prospect, as his power to the gaps will play well at Great American Ball Park.
LHP Payton Tolle – Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox prospect is nearly ready for his call to the Majors, and it is becoming more likely that Tolle reaches Boston when rosters expand on September 1st. In 19 games (17 GS), between A+, AA, and AAA, the lefty owns a 3.12 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 124 strikeouts in 86.2 innings. His arm extension and low release, reminiscent of Madison Bumgarner, allow him to hide his mid-90s fastball that touches 99 MPH. His slider and changeup are works in progress, and a late-season call-up will gauge if his secondary pitches are ready for Major League hitters. The potential is high with Payton Tolle, and it is a matter of time before he’s helping fantasy baseball rosters.
LHP Connor Prielipp – Minnesota Twins
Prielipp’s strong 2025 season will lead to him beginning 2026 at AAA St. Paul, and the left-handed pitcher may make his Major League debut by the end of next May. In 19 starts for AA Wichita, Prielipp owns a 3.65 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts in 61.2 innings. Nine of his starts have seen him strike out five or more batters. The Minnesota prospect’s classic high and tight delivery and arm extension lead to his mid-90s fastball getting on hitters quickly. His slider and changeup are plus pitches that
frequently miss bats. The lefty doesn’t walk a high number of hitters, but his ability to throw every pitch for strikes has caused trouble getting too much of the plate. Connor Prielipp’s Twins debut will happen next season, although he can currently help their Major League bullpen.