2 weeks Ago
While California Baptist University in Riverside, Calif., may not carry the same baseball pedigree as some of its Southern California counterparts, the Lancers have quietly built a reputation as a pitching pipeline, producing 20 drafted pitchers from 2004-2023.Twins righthander C.
J. Culpepper aims to be the next breakout pitcher from the program and just the third player from school to make their MLB debut.“My biggest goal is to make it to the big leagues by the end of the year,” Culpepper said.
“I was probably two years old when I first picked up baseball and started throwing. It would mean the world to me and my family.”However, it’s hard for Baseball America’s 11th-ranked Twins prospect not to feel frustrated after injuries have crept in over the past year.
Culpepper, selected by Minnesota in the 13th round in 2022, spent two months on the injured list last season because of a forearm strain. There’s never a good time for an injury, but the timing felt especially cruel. Culpepper had just started to find his rhythm, with his pitch sequencing finally clicking in a way that gave him confidence on the mound.
Yet, in the midst of that setback, the time away offered an unexpected silver lining.“I learned who I was from not playing baseball,” Culpepper said. “I got to take a step back and look at everything around me, my teammates, who I’m playing with, and see how they go about their business and see what I can learn from them.
”Culpepper was promoted from High-A to Double-A just three games after returning off the IL. He finished by posting a 1.38 ERA and a 14-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his final three Double-A starts.
Heading into the 2025 season, the 23-year-old was eager to get started in Florida and build off the success he had to end the season. But once again, he faced a roadblock.Culpepper experienced discomfort in his hand, and it was later discovered he had a pinched nerve.
The organization decided to start him on the injured list to begin the season, but Culpepper’s recovery is heading in the right direction. He’ll throw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday at the Twins’ complex in Fort Myers, Fla., and said he estimates to be throwing live batting practice in three weeks.
Through it all, Culpepper has found solace with the people closest to him—his family.“I always have them checking up on me,” Culpepper said. “They ask how I’m doing, and I just talk to them as much as I can and take everything they’re saying to heart.
It’s been a real big help.”Culpepper’s resilience dates back to his days at Cal Baptist. After starting his freshman year, he was moved to the bullpen his sophomore, playing a pivotal role for the Lancers.
But when he returned to a starting role the following year, his velocity decreased, and his draft stock stock took a hit.He went 5-3, 3.26 with 76 strikeouts and 24 walks in 69 innings in 2022, but, even so, it seemed difficult to project for a team to have him in the rotation at the professional level.
The Twins, however, didn’t flinch at the dip in velocity and gave him the opportunity to start. Culpepper responded by compiling a 3.56 ERA with 89 strikeouts across Low-A and High-A in his first full professional season in 2023.
In the process, Culpepper’s velocity increased again, with his fastball now sitting at 93-95 mph and touching 98. However, it’s his slider that has made him effective. He utilizes the secondary more often than his fastball and generates plenty of whiffs off it.
Culpepper still has a climb ahead of him, but if his journey so far is any indication, he’s built for it. From quietly developing at Cal Baptist, to weathering physical setbacks early in his pro career, Culpepper has stayed grounded in what matters most: growth, resilience and the people in his corner.“The Twins and their staff are amazing when it comes to the pitch design,” Culpepper said.
“They follow their plan and have confidence that it’s going to work. That’s been really helpful for me and some of the other guys around here.”The post Twins’ C.
J. Culpepper Aiming To Be Latest Cal Baptist Pitching Prospect To Succeed In Pro Ball appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America..
