Minnesota Twins 2024 MLB Draft Report Card

Best Pure Hitter: Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper (1) had a lengthy track record of hitting as a collegian, both with Kansas State and in various summer leagues. He was a career .314/.402/.531 hitter in three seasons with Kansas State thanks to great hands that allow him to handle velocity, though he has shown some miss concerns vs. secondaries. 

Best Power Hitter: Third baseman Billy Amick (2) is a powerfully-built righthanded hitter with a 6-foot-1, 220-pound frame, great bat speed and high-intent swings where he’s constantly looking to do damage. He hit 23 home runs for Tennessee during the 2024 spring season, hit three in an 18-game pro debut with Low-A Fort Myers and also managed a 110.7 mph max exit velocity.

Fastest Runner: Shortstop Kyle DeBarge (1s) was a consistent basestealing threat in three seasons with Louisiana-Lafayette and went 44-for-60 (73.3%) in his career with at least 10 bags in each season. In his pro debut with Low-A Fort Myers, DeBarge stole 15 bags in 18 tries (83.3%). Twins scouts view him as a plus or plus-plus runner depending on the scout.

Best Defensive Player: Culpepper (1) has played both shortstop and third base in college but was drafted as a shortstop. He was a definite above-average fielder at the hot corner with easy plus arm strength at the position. He earned less glowing reviews for his shortstop play, but he’ll have a chance to stick there moving forward.

Best Fastball: The Twins had a hitter-heavy 2024 draft and took just one pitcher in their first eight selections. That pitcher, lefthander Dasan Hill (2s), had a significant velocity jump during the spring and was typically in the 92-94 mph range and touching 96 at the top. He has a hyper lean and projectable frame that could allow him to keep climbing the velo board if he fills out and adds more mass. 

Best Secondary Pitch: Hill (2s) threw an in-between breaking ball in the 78-83 mph range throughout his high school career that blended in shape between a slider and curve. Minnesota is high on the curveball, specifically, which has the bite and shape to become a plus offering.

Best Pro Debut: Culpepper (1) was assigned to Low-A Fort Meyers initially, and in nine games at that level, he slashed .297/.366/.541 with two home runs, three doubles and more walks (3) than strikeouts (2). He was then promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids where he cooled off a bit in 17 games. Combined between the two levels, he managed a .724 OPS with a strong 7.1% in-zone miss rate.

Best Athlete: Culpepper (1) is an above-average runner with a pair of above-average tools between his speed and arm strength. 

Most Intriguing Background: The Twins drafted third baseman Jay Thomason (17) out of Air Force and signed him for just $50,000 in the 17th round. Thomason hit 58 home runs in his four-year career with the program and was one of just two players drafted out of the academy in 2024 along with Blue Jays third baseman Sam Kulasingam. 

Closest To The Majors: Culpepper (1) has the bat-to-ball skills, hitting ability and defensive chops to move quickly and already has one minor league promotion under his belt.

Best Day Three Pick (Or NDFA): The Twins signed lefthander Michael Carpenter (11) for $508,500 in the 11th round and were able to prevent him from getting to campus at East Carolina. Carpenter led D-II junior college pitchers with a 1.03 ERA in the 2024 season and also set a single-season school record with 111 strikeouts for Madison (Wisc.) JC.