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Kaelen CulpepperCredit: Charles Hallman\/MSR<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tOverview: Kaelen Culpepper steps into the big leagues<\/p>\n
Sports Columnist Charles Hallman provides an inside look at 23-year-old rookie Kaelen Culpepper\u2019s first month with the Minnesota Twins following his call-up from Triple-A St. Paul. Hallman captures reflections from team veterans, manager Derek Shelton, and Culpepper himself as the young infielder establishes his presence in Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n
Kaelen Culpepper
Credit: Charles Hallman\/MSR<\/p>\n
It has been almost a month since Minnesota Twins rookie shortstop Kaelen Culpepper was inserted into the starting lineup after being promoted from AAA St. Paul on Aug. 7.<\/p>\n
That date is forever etched in the Culpepper family legend book: in only his second MLB at-bat, with his parents, family members and friends watching, the 6-foot Culpepper smacked a homer out of the park in Milwaukee, becoming only the 13th player in Minnesota history to do this, and the first to do so since 2022.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cIt felt great,\u201d he told MSR last week.\u00a0 \u201cBeing able to live that experience with my family, seeing my family in the stands just meant a lot to me because I know it was a journey just to get here.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was special when I hit it.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know if I got it or not.\u00a0 I know I hit it good, but I was like, \u2018Go, go, go!\u2019 And once it went over, I kind of lost myself a little bit.\u00a0 I was celebrating around the bases; you know what I mean?\u00a0 I was excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ten-year veteran Josh Bell pointed out that he and his mates were just as excited for the rookie as Culpepper was on his first big league hit.\u00a0 \u201cSome guys will have 10, 15, 20 at-bats without getting it.\u00a0 Some guys never get it,\u201d he reiterated.\u00a0 \u201cHappy that he was able to get that hit in front of (his parents).\u00a0 Big baseball fans, big believers in him.\u201d<\/p>\n
We have followed the 23-year-old shortstop this season through his first year in Triple A: Culpepper hit .271 (80-for-295), 15 doubles, two triples, 14 HR, 46 RBI, 39 walks, 63 runs, 17 of 20 SB and .845 OPS in 74 games for St. Paul.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a good kid.\u00a0 Seems like he loves big moments,\u201d stressed Bell.<\/p>\n
Delivering in big moments<\/p>\n
Such was the case in the Twins\u2019 6-4 win over Atlanta Aug. 19 to cap a three-game sweep:\u00a0 Culpepper had another career day, a three-hit game and scored a run, his second multi-hit game since being with the team.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Manager Derek Shelton told MSR after speaking to reporters, \u201cThe biggest thing is he\u2019s come to the big leagues knowing that he has development left, and his work has been great. The attention to detail on his work, the questions he\u2019s asking, the things that he\u2019s learning, little things that sometimes don\u2019t come up until you get to the big leagues, and he\u2019s really embracing and asking good questions, and I think that\u2019s a really good sign.\u201d<\/p>\n
Twins infielder Royce Lewis said Culpepper is just going to get better. He played with him during his brief stint in St. Paul earlier this season. He was impressed with him then and continues to be impressed with him.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s been the same guy.\u00a0 Just hardworking, getting the opportunity finally.\u00a0 I\u2019m just happy to see him flourish in that role.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adjusting to the big league stage<\/p>\n
By no means is Culpepper resting on his laurels now that he is wearing a Twins uniform.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cYeah, I feel pretty comfortable.\u00a0 Feel pretty confident now,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
Still, he can\u2019t forget his first major league game: \u201cThat first game, my adrenaline was going crazy all over the place,\u201d admitted Culpepper.\u00a0 \u201cI was thinking about so many different things.\u00a0 I was breathing a little heavy.\u00a0 Had to calm myself down a little bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think after my first at-bat, I was able to breathe a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finally, both Shelton and Bell marvel at Culpepper\u2019s maturity.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s very mature and he\u2019s very confident, and he\u2019s confident in a good way, which I think is important,\u201d surmised the manager on the rookie.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a testament to who he is as a competitor, as an athlete,\u201d concluded Bell.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s here in a big league uniform at a young age, just getting after it every day.\u00a0 So, I\u2019m definitely excited to watch his career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Twins fans rank among MLB\u2019s most patient, study finds<\/p>\n
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Kwanza Jones