Kaelen Culpepper

Culpepper was drafted 21st overall in 2024 out of Kansas State as a high floor prospect thanks to a steady hit tool and the ability to provide defensive value on the left side of the infield. He showed a higher ceiling than expected in 2025, albeit while being old for his levels. He split his age-22 season evenly across High-A and Double-A, slashing .289/.375/.469 with 20 home runs, 25 steals, a 9.7 percent walk rate and a 17.4 percent strikeout rate in 113 games. He is an aggressive hitter who struggles to get the ball in the air consistently (50 percent groundball rate), and while he went 25-for-29 on the bases last year, Culpepper is just an average runner. He has a big arm, but his lack of high-end athleticism and plus speed may force a move to third or second base eventually, although Culpepper could be deemed an upgrade at shortstop over Brooks Lee sometime this summer. Culpepper has a chance to be an everyday player, but his 25/20 season oversells his short and long term upside. Read Past Outlooks