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. 

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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.”

TCPalm Spring All-Area: Here are the best in boys track and field on the Treasure Coast

TCPalm Spring All-Area: Here are the best in girls track and field on the Treasure Coast

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. 

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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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ATLANTA — The remaking of the Nationals has taken another critical step, as has MLB’s push to get its top prospects to the majors as quickly as possible. 

Washington selected Oklahoma high schooler Eli Willits with the first pick in the 2025 draft Sunday night. By selecting the 17-year-old, switch-hitting shortstop, the Nationals stunned many experts who predicted the team would choose LSU pitcher Kade Anderson, who led the Tigers last month to their second College World Series title in three years and was the event’s Most Outstanding Player. Anderson went No. 3 to the Mariners.

The Nationals’ selection arrived just a week after Mark Lerner, the club’s managing principal owner, fired president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, in a bid to reverse what has been more than half a decade of losing in the nation’s capital.

Since the leadership shift, the Nationals carried on with their draft preparation, overseen by assistant GM Mike DeBartolo, ultimately shocking much of the baseball world. DeBartolo said Willits was “the guy we wanted all along.”

The No. 1 pick this year carries a record slot value of $11.08 million. It’s not yet certain how close to that number the signing bonus for Willits will be, but it’s expected that the Nationals will be well below this figure and save significant funds. 

Path to Stardom

Being so young, and not turning 18 until December, Willits will have a more uphill climb to mirror the rapid pathway of Pittsburgh star Paul Skenes, the draft’s top pick two years ago. Since Skenes went from LSU to Pittsburgh, he has burst into superstardom, won last year’s National League Rookie of the Year award, and was named Saturday as the starting pitcher for the NL in the All-Star Game for the second-straight year. 

That run of success by Skenes, and national prominence burnished by his relationship with girlfriend Livvy Dunne, gives Willits, the son of former MLB player Reggie Willits, a lot to match. MLB, however, continues to promote a shorter development pathway to the big leagues for prospects and put more marketing effort and editorial emphasis on the MLB Network and MLB.com for minor leaguers. 

To that end, five first-round selections from last year’s draft have already reached the majors, including the Royals’ Jac Caglianone, as well as the Angels’ second-round pick from 2024, pitcher Ryan Johnson. 

A notable exception to that has been Travis Bazzana, last year’s No. 1 overall pick to Cleveland. The second baseman has reached the Class AA Akron (Ohio) Aeros, but has battled an oblique strain since May, and is out of action until at least later this month. 

Willits, meanwhile, is the youngest player to be the No. 1 pick in the MLB draft since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987.

Draft Matters

MLB held the draft at the Coca-Cola Roxy, a key part of The Battery mixed-use development that surrounds the Braves’ Truist Park, the host venue for this year’s All-Star Game. The event, of course, still doesn’t match the stature seen for the NFL and NBA drafts. As MLB has held its draft in conjunction with the All-Star Game since 2021, though, it’s also continued to give the event a heightened sense of place.

The settling for this year’s event included a lively crowd filling the 3,600-person concert venue, even if the numbers were still far below the 600,000 that showed up in Green Bay for the 2025 NFL Draft. 

The festive vibe continued to show a marked departure from the cramped set of tables and much more limited setup at MLB Network studios in Secaucus, N.J., where the MLB draft was held from 2009–20. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, however, was initially greeted with hearty fan boos, as is also the case with other league commissioners at their respective drafts. 

The 2025 MLB draft had no player selections in attendance for the first time in 15 years, due to a complex mix of reasons. The Rockies selected Ethan Holliday at No. 4. Holliday is the brother of Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday and the son of former MLB star Matt Holliday, who played the first five seasons of his career in Colorado.

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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