MLB Pipeline released a new list of the top 100 prospects in baseball on Friday, along with the top 30 prospects for each team.
The Twins tout four members of the top 100 list. Included in that is one player – Kaelen Culpepper – who recently received the ball to the big league club, and another who may soon.
Here’s a look at Minnesota’s top eight prospects, with their position, age, current level and recent form.
No. 1 (No. 15 overall): Walker Jenkins, outfielder, Triple-A St. Paul (21 years old): Presumably the next high-profile call up, Jenkins is again hitting the cover off the ball this season. He’s batting .291/.385/.516 (batting average, on-base % and slugging%) at Triple-A this summer with 27 extra-base hits in just 60 games.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft is batting .400 in August with three home runs.
No. 2 (No. 19 overall): Vahn Lackey, catcher, Low-A Fort Myers (21): The third overall pick in this summer’s draft is just getting started in his professional career. It’s slow going early, with Lackey hitting .206 through just 10 games as he oscillates between DHing and catching duties.
No. 3 (No. 34 overall): Kaelen Culpepper, shortstop, Minnesota (22): Culpepper is struggling at the dish just five games into his Major League career. The first-round pick in 2024 has just four hits in 17 at-bats.
His eight strikeouts in that span are slightly concerning, but strikeouts haven’t been a major issue for Culpepper to date in his career, so it’s probable this stretch is a product of an adjustment period.
No. 4 (No. 74 overall): Marek Houston, shortstop, Double-A Wichita (22): Last year’s first-round pick is starring at the plate, hitting .315/.394/.417 this season.
In his last 28 games, Houston has 16 extra-base hits (including six homers) and 15 stolen bases. Pace his last 28 outings out over 162 games, and you’d tally 220 hits, 35 homers and 87 swiped bags.
No. 5: Emmanuel Rodriguez, outfielder, Triple-A St. Paul (23): Rodriguez has battled injury issues early in his pro career, with a left thumb injury sidelining him for months this summer.
But he’s now back in St. Paul with a sense of urgency to prove he’s part of the organization’s long-term plans. Aaron Gleeman from AaronGleeman.com reported Rodriguez will be out of options come next spring, meaning he needs to be with the big league club out of spring training.
There’s plenty to like about Rodriguez – who touts strong plate discipline and the potential for power – but can he stay on the field long enough to show it?
No. 6: Eduardo Tait, catcher, High-A Cedar Rapids (19): A key piece of last summer’s Jhoan Duran trade, Tait is struggling to hit for average this season – batting just .228. But does have 20 home runs, though 14 of those came over the first 59 games of the campaign, with just six over his last 40 games.
Still, it’s a welcomed power surge for the teenager, who’s seen a dip in his ability to gun down baserunners this season. He’s caught just 17% of runners stealing, down from 24% last year and 31% in 2024.
No. 7: Riley Quick, right-handed pitcher, Double-A Wichita (22): The No. 36 overall selection in 2025, Quick is a 6-foot-6, towering righty starter who’s experienced mixed results this summer across three levels.
Overall, he touts a 3.92 earned run average this year with strong swing-and-miss stuff in Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids, but has been hit around a bit through four starts at Double-A Wichita.
No. 8: Hendry Mendez, outfielder, Triple-A St. Paul (22): Acquired from Philadelphia in last summer’s Harrison Bader trade, Mendez continues to prove himself to be a high-average hitter who’s adding a touch of pop to his bat.
In 58 games in St. Paul, Mendez is hitting .297 with seven homers and 11 doubles while rarely striking out.
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