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How Kaelen Culpepper Has Answered His Draft Day Question Marks
Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge (photo of Kaelen Culpepper) When the Twins selected Kaelen Culpepper with the 21st overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, there were a few raised eyebrows. Sure, Culpepper had plenty of tools, but concerns about plate discipline and defensive projection gave some evaluators pause. Less than a […]


Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge (photo of Kaelen Culpepper)
When the Twins selected Kaelen Culpepper with the 21st overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, there were a few raised eyebrows. Sure, Culpepper had plenty of tools, but concerns about plate discipline and defensive projection gave some evaluators pause. Less than a year later, Culpepper is not only putting those concerns to rest, he’s making evaluators look like they undersold him.
Now firmly entrenched in Double-A Wichita and facing older, more experienced competition, Culpepper has surged into top-100 prospect territory. His all-around game is showing up in the box score and answering every pre-draft question thrown his way.
Chasing Down the Concerns
One of the most commonly cited red flags at the time of the draft came from The Athletic’s Keith Law, who wrote, “I know some teams had him in the second round because his chase rate was high, albeit not extremely so.” That concern was fair based on his collegiate track record, but Culpepper has responded in a big way.
In his first full professional season, Culpepper has trimmed his chase rate significantly, especially against right-handed pitching. His strikeout rate currently sits under 16% for the season, and the right-handed hitter has a 16.25 K% against righties. He’s begun to show a mature ability to lay off pitches just outside the zone, something that was seen as a “maybe someday” skill on draft night and is already a present tool.
Even FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen, who was skeptical on draft day, has had to take another look. “I have mixed-positive feeling about the Twins’ first day because I’m lukewarm on Kaelen Culpepper due to his chase tendencies,” Longenhagen said after the pick. But Culpepper has flipped that narrative. His walk rate is hovering around 11% during the 2025 campaign, giving him a nearly even K/BB ratio. This is no small feat for a 21-year-old adjusting to professional spin and facing older pitchers over 78% of the time.
The Shortstop Debate? Maybe It’s Over
Defensively, there was another looming question: Could Culpepper stay at shortstop, or was a move to third inevitable? ESPN summed it up nicely: “Ultimately, his pro ceiling will likely be decided by whether he can stick at shortstop or if he moves to third base on his way to the majors.”
A year later, most evaluators are in agreement that he can stick.
Culpepper has shown above-average range, clean footwork, and a plus arm at short. His internal clock is improving, and he’s making throws from deep in the hole that only true shortstops can pull off. The Twins have continued to give him regular reps at the position with only a handful of appearances at second base. Scouts now project him to remain there long-term unless the major-league roster demands a positional shift.
That strong arm, once merely a bullet point in the scouting report, is now a calling card. In pre-draft evaluations, he was seen on the fringe between shortstop and third base. Now, he has the potential to be an impact defender as a big-league shortstop. He’s turned potential into production, and if anything, he’s separated himself from many of the other middle infielders in his draft class by staying up the middle.
Crushing the Offspeed Test
CBS Sports questioned whether Culpepper could handle spin, writing, “Can shortstop Kaelen Culpepper improve his breaking ball recognition?” It’s a valid question for any young hitter, especially one whose college profile leaned more on twitchy athleticism than polish at the plate.
But once again, Culpepper’s adjustments have been impressive. Since his promotion to Double-A, he’s actually improved his slugging percentage against offspeed and breaking pitches, showing better pitch tracking and timing. Over his last 10 games (49 PA), he is slashing .432/.490/.523 (1.013) with two extra-base hits and as many walks (5) as strikeouts (5). He’s not just laying off the tough stuff, because he’s doing damage when pitchers hang them.
Fast Track to Target Field?
What’s most exciting is just how quickly Culpepper has acclimated to professional ball. He’s one of only a handful of 2024 draftees already playing at Double-A, and he hasn’t missed a beat. The jump from college to pro ball is steep. The jump from there to Double-A is a leap. Culpepper made both without stumbling.
It’s rare for a late first-round pick to push into top-100 territory so quickly, but Culpepper has earned it. His combination of steady defense, improved plate discipline, and surprising offensive production against older pitchers has made him one of the most exciting infield prospects in the system.
The draft-day doubts have all been addressed quickly. The Twins believed in Culpepper’s upside when they took him at 21, and in less than 12 months, they may have already found the player who could be their shortstop of the future. If the trajectory holds, Culpepper could be pushing his way to Minneapolis by mid-2026.
And when he gets there, don’t be surprised if the same evaluators who doubted the pick are suddenly talking about how obvious it was all along.
Which doubt does Culpepper still need to answer? When will he debut with the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion on one of the organization’s most exciting prospects.
Sports
LPA’s Sydney Daniel selected to NFHS National Student Advisory Council
Watch video clips of Lincoln Park Academy’s 2025 graduation ceremony Take a look at Lincoln Park Academy’s May 23 graduation ceremony at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds. Sydney Daniel is a student-athlete with lofty goals. The Lincoln Park Academy rising junior is already building a resume in which some of those dreams are within reach. […]

Watch video clips of Lincoln Park Academy’s 2025 graduation ceremony
Take a look at Lincoln Park Academy’s May 23 graduation ceremony at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds.
Sydney Daniel is a student-athlete with lofty goals.
The Lincoln Park Academy rising junior is already building a resume in which some of those dreams are within reach. In track and field this past season, she helped the Greyhounds qualify for regionals in both the 400- and 1,600-meter relays. Combine that with a 5.2 weighted GPA (3.95 unweighted) and it’s not hard to see that her future is bright.
Daniel’s work on and off the track has afforded her an opportunity to be a part of exclusive company this summer. She was one of 16 high school student-athletes countrywide selected to serve on the NFHS National Student Advisory Council. The group is set to gather at the NFHS National Student Leadership Summit, which will be held Sunday through Thursday in Indianapolis.
“To be part of this group, it’s not only something that looks good on applications or seems prestigious,” she said. “It’s truly about just communicating and advocating for all high schoolers across the nation, gathering their insights and actually implementing them into stuff that they would like to see.”
Two students from each of the eight regions nationwide were selected to participate in the council. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the students “have exhibited outstanding leadership skills, achievements in academics and sports/activities, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.” Daniel’s region is Section 3, which represents the Southeast.
Responsibilities of the 16 students include identifying and communicating areas of support possibly needed from the NFHS and state associations as well as ideas to increase student involvement in cocurricular activities.
“I do understand the importance of the position and how I am someone supposed to advocate not just for my state, not just for my section but truly for the entire United States and all of the other millions of students that are involved in educationally based activity programs,” Daniel said. “So being able to be in a position in which I could do that really and truly is a blessing. I’m very excited to do so.”
The 16 members met in April in Indiana to plan for the summit. Daniel says the council’s objective is to increase involvement and get a student from every state to attend.
“We hope to encourage some of the people who attend and make sure that they know you know what the NFHS is and what the NSAC does and how they can be a part of it from their own state,” she said.
Through the encouragement of LPA athletic director Veryl Moore, Daniel is also a member of the FHSAA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Through her various roles, Daniel has grown into being a leader. She believes being reliable and someone who can be key assets, but nothing has a greater value than being able to listen.
“I would say that’s the most important part of being a leader.” Daniel said. “You can have all the other attributes like being honest or be really good at advocating, but if you can’t listen to others, then there really is no point in what you’re doing.”
Daniel is also the sports editor in chief of the student newspaper and is a member of the Key Club and National Honor Society, among other clubs. She admits that being that active all while excelling in the classroom is a lot to balance.
“It’s just about prioritizing focusing on what matters most to me, which of course is my academics and my athletics and all of my extracurriculars,” she said. “It’s just realizing where they all fall in terms of importance. … I do really love having a planner, it’s probably one of the best things that I have; just being able to divide time and just allocate where my activities and where have time for each of them. Being a really good planner, planning out my weeks in advance so that I have time to include everything and all my responsibilities is really important to me.”
Daniel hopes to graduate in the top 10% of her class. Her short-term plan is to attend a four-year university to study biomedical engineering. In the long term, Daniel aspires to be an Olympic athlete.
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Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
Sports
HBCU Olympian Returns to Elite Form in First Race Back
Randolph Ross wasted no time making an impact. In his first race after a three-year suspension, the former HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist from North Carolina A&T ran 45.41 seconds in the men’s 400 meters at the Meeting International de Marseille. He finished second behind fellow American Demarius Smith, who won with a personal best of […]

Randolph Ross wasted no time making an impact. In his first race after a three-year suspension, the former HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist from North Carolina A&T ran 45.41 seconds in the men’s 400 meters at the Meeting International de Marseille. He finished second behind fellow American Demarius Smith, who won with a personal best of 45.14.
The performance was a strong return. While it wasn’t close to Ross’s personal best of 43.85—one of the fastest 400-meter times in history—it was enough to turn heads. His time ranked among the top 25 by an American this season and showed he still belongs on the track.
A Return With Meaning
The race marked more than just a finish line. It was a test of whether Ross still had the speed and mindset that once made him a rising star. After missing three years due to a ban for whereabouts failures and tampering, Ross is back—and still competitive.
He continued to train, though restrictions prevented him from working with USATF-affiliated coaches or athletes. One exception allowed him to continue training with his father due to their family connection. Now that he can, the 24-year-old HBCU athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist aims to rebuild his career. Ross opened his return in Marseille, and if he competes again this summer, strong results could help reopen doors to national and international competition.
HBCU Roots, Global Goals
His story continues to resonate, especially in the HBCU sports world. North Carolina A&T helped develop Ross into a world-class sprinter. His father, Olympian Duane Ross, guided him through college and still supports his training. That foundation helped Randolph become an NCAA champion, an Olympian, and one of the brightest prospects in American track.
Now, after years away, he’s working to prove that one mistake does not define a career. The early signs are encouraging. And if Marseille was any indication, Randolph Ross’s comeback may just be getting started.
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Sports
Former HBCU Football Player Killed, Current Student Charged
Police say a “parking garage dispute” at the Mac4460 apartments near South MacGregor Way and Calhoun in Houston, Texas, ended with the fatal shooting of a former HBCU athlete Friday evening. The victim, 24-year-old Tyler Martinez, played four seasons as a defensive tackle at Texas Southern University. Martinez completed his football career in 2023. He […]

Police say a “parking garage dispute” at the Mac4460 apartments near South MacGregor Way and Calhoun in Houston, Texas, ended with the fatal shooting of a former HBCU athlete Friday evening. The victim, 24-year-old Tyler Martinez, played four seasons as a defensive tackle at Texas Southern University. Martinez completed his football career in 2023.
He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Police arrested 22-year-old Isaac Robinson, who is enrolled as a sophomore at Texas Southern University and is a fellow resident of the apartment complex, after he reportedly returned to the scene. Authorities charged Robinson with first-degree felony murder and set his bond at $100,000. If released, he must wear a GPS monitor, follow a nightly curfew, avoid weapons, drugs, and alcohol, and stay within Harris County or adjacent counties.
Details of the Incident and Legal Proceedings
Houstonstringer.com reports that Robinson admitted to his involvement in the shooting in court records. Prosecutors said a woman connected to Robinson handed him a firearm during the altercation. Witnesses said Martinez had begun to withdraw when Robinson “allegedly fired three shots into Martinez’s torso.” Robinson appeared overnight in Harris County Probable Cause Court. He currently attends Texas Southern University as a sophomore and works for a local security company.
Martinez, a Houston native and Humble High graduate, joined the TSU Tigers in 2019. Standing 6-3 and weighing 283 pounds, he played every season through 2023. He recorded 57 tackles in 20 games, including four sacks. HBCU football analysts recognized his steady performance. The Bluebloods network called him “the best DT in the SWAC,” reflecting his significant impact on the field.
Concerns Raised for HBCU Student Safety
This case highlights concerns about safety in off-campus student housing and emphasizes the need for conflict resolution efforts within the Houston community. We will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as they become available.
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Sports
Canada outlasts Thailand 3-2 in women’s Volleyball Nations League
By Canadian Press on July 13, 2025. ARLINGTON — The team from the Land of the Smiles went home disappointed after dropping a tough match to Canada in the women’s Volleyball Nations League tournament on Sunday. Canada defeated Thailand 3-2 in the best-of-five match, played at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. Thailand won the […]
By Canadian Press on July 13, 2025.
ARLINGTON — The team from the Land of the Smiles went home disappointed after dropping a tough match to Canada in the women’s Volleyball Nations League tournament on Sunday.
Canada defeated Thailand 3-2 in the best-of-five match, played at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
Thailand won the opening set 25-17, but the Canadians bounced back with 25-23 and 30-28 wins to take a 2-1 lead. Thailand forced a fifth set with a 25-23 win in the fourth.
Canada won the tiebreaker 15-13.
Hilary Howe Johnson led all Canadian scorers with 25 points, while Emily Maglio had 19. Kongyot Ajcharaporn led Thailand’s scoring with 27 points, while Kokram Pimpichaya had 23.
Canada committed more unforced errors in the match (24-20) and had more blocks (14-7). Thailand led in digs (166-144) and attacks (84-66).
Canada remains 16th in the 18-team preliminary round robin with three wins, while Thailand is 17th with just one win.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2025.
The Canadian Press
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Sports
Spartan Chosen sends 11 athletes to the AAU Junior Olympic Games
When Forest track and field head coach Brett Stanley started Spartan Chosen ten years ago, he had one goal: giving his athletes the foundation to compete at the highest level of sport. “We had 38 All-Americans last year and six national championships last year,” Stanley said. “We’re running the same course this year.” Of those […]

When Forest track and field head coach Brett Stanley started Spartan Chosen ten years ago, he had one goal: giving his athletes the foundation to compete at the highest level of sport.
“We had 38 All-Americans last year and six national championships last year,” Stanley said. “We’re running the same course this year.”
Of those six national champions nine-year-old Joseph Sorrentino III holds the AAU nationals record for the Turbo Javelin in the 7- and 8-year-old divisions. Sorrentino along with Terry Holloway, Jakari Thomas, Troy Rushing, Ariana Damon, Amiyah Damon, Taraji Rushing, Jarod Palmer, Tyrail Moore Jr., Nicolas Sorrentino, and Amiya Cogdell all qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics Games in Humble, Texas on July 28 – August 2.
Love and discipline drive the Spartan Chosen program. Way before you suit up for an event with Spartan Chosen you have to meet strict GPA requirements to toe the line. Creating a component few AAU programs regardless of sport rarely enforce.
“Just understanding workflow, how to train the body, what the body needs and honestly man loving on the kids, man we have to,” Stanley said.
The benefits of having children as young as five-years-old partner with Chosen Spartan chosen to train and discipline their bodies for any sport they play in the future. The team is another support system every young athlete needs on their journey.
With Stanley’s program functioning as a training ground for at least five of the seven public schools in Marion County, Spartan Chosen isn’t the only program that benefits from their youth development.
“We’re developing and building relationships because track and field as a whole, not just in Marion County, is an afterthought,” Stanley said. “We’re trying to expose kids to track and field and build that relationship. Spartan Chosen has a home in family.”

Koi Davis comes from a family of sprinters. Now he’s taking the track
Koi Davis comes from a family of sprinters. Now he’s taking the track
Spartan Chosen’s developmental status doesn’t hinge on the Junior Olympic performances. While that title holds weight, its the personal improvements Stanley sees in his team on-and-off track that give his athletes a head start.
“What we do in the summer is to make sure we give back,” Stanley said. “Once you start seeing these accolades from these young kids who are going to eventually be at high school level. If the county is starting to see these kids progress right now on this level and becoming national champions out of 10,000 athletes. Just imagine how good they get on the high school level with the proper facility in place.”
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