MN Twins Will Enter 2027 with Multiple ROY Candidates

Things have not gone well for the Minnesota Twins this season. What's new, right?

Tom Pohlad said before the regular season began that he wanted the 2026 Twins to be evaluated based on what kind of games they are playing in September, not on how much money was spent on the roster last offseason.

Now that it's mid-September and his team has fallen out of the playoff race, do you think the MN Twins' controlling owner would like to talk about the talent on this roster now?

Tom Pohlad to the media on Friday: "Yes, our payroll is down from last year. I think there are still some investments to be made between now and Opening Day. I'd also say, at some point, I'd love to get off this payroll thing for a second. Let's judge the success of this year on… — Ted (@tlschwerz) February 1, 2026

Tom Pohlad to the media on Friday: "Yes, our payroll is down from last year. I think there are still some investments to be made between now and Opening Day. I'd also say, at some point, I'd love to get off this payroll thing for a second. Let's judge the success of this year on…

If pressed, Tom would probably shine light on a few bright spots from the 2026 season, if you give him the chance, most notably the emergence of multiple young players and top prospects who should play a major role in the Minnesota Twins' future.

Realistically Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton aren't the future for Minnesota anymore. While both Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton are under contract next season, Buck's health puts his future at risk no matter how badly he wants to stay.

MN Twins' Likely 2027 Rookie of the Year Candidates

Unless something major changes during CBA negotiations this offseason, the Twins will be trading Joe Ryan before he leaves in free agency for what's expected to be a huge payday. In reality, the Twins' future rests on this next wave of young talent.

And given the upside these kids — mostly Kaelen Culpepper , Walker Jenkins , and Emmanuel Rodriguez — have, there's legitimate reason to be optimistic. In fact, all three of the above prospects will maintain their rookie eligibility heading into the offseason, meaning the MN Twins will have three legitimate Rookie of the Year candidates in 2027.

Notable with Kaelen Culpepper landing on the IL. He has just 109 at bats, and has spent less than 45 days on the active roster (IL does not count). He will retain rookie status for 2027 along with Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez. — Ted (@tlschwerz) September 18, 2026

Notable with Kaelen Culpepper landing on the IL. He has just 109 at bats, and has spent less than 45 days on the active roster (IL does not count). He will retain rookie status for 2027 along with Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez.

Promoted in early August , Kaelen Culpepper had plenty of runway to exhaust his rookie status in 2026, had he stayed healthy all season, which has been a trend not just for the prospects in this article, but for most Twins top prospects over the past couple decades.

Most recently, Culpepper was placed on injured reserve with a bad hamstring. Even if he comes back immediately when eligible, the Twins will have just two games remaining on the regular season schedule. With just 31 games played and 109 at bats under his belt, Culpepper still be well short of the 130 at bats needed to exhaust rookie eligibility.

Let's talk about MLB PPI draft picks for a minute…

If any of the aforementioned young Twins were to win Rookie of the Year, it could mean more than just another trophy on the organization's mantle. It could mean an draft pick compensation, via the MLB's Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) .

Instituted as a way to incentivize earlier call-ups and more playing time for young talented players who are good enough to make an impact at the big league level, PPI picks come immediately after the first round of the MLB Draft, meaning the opportunity to steal a big time talent the team otherwise wouldn't have access to, unless at the top of the draft.

There are multiple ways to earn one, but a player has to break camp with the Major League club or be called up within two weeks of Opening Day, in order to be eligible. Barring injury, all three of Jenkins, Culpepper and Rodriguez should be on the Minnesota Twins' 26-man roster out of camp next spring.

Players with little or no MLB service time need to break camp with the team or be called up within two weeks of Opening Day. Then they must spend all or most of the year in the big leagues. Then they must either win their league's Rookie of the Year award or place in the top three for MVP or Cy Young. Players who made an Opening Day roster and accrued the service time but didn't factor in any awards that year retain PPI eligibility. They need to place in the top three for MVP or Cy Young before hitting arbitration. That typically allows for a three-year window. MLB.com

Players with little or no MLB service time need to break camp with the team or be called up within two weeks of Opening Day. Then they must spend all or most of the year in the big leagues. Then they must either win their league's Rookie of the Year award or place in the top three for MVP or Cy Young.

Players who made an Opening Day roster and accrued the service time but didn't factor in any awards that year retain PPI eligibility. They need to place in the top three for MVP or Cy Young before hitting arbitration. That typically allows for a three-year window.

Since 2022, six different teams have been awarded PPI picks. It's also worth noting that the Minnesota Twins has not had a Rookie of the Year winner since Marty Cordova did it in 1995.

Although Culpepper, Jenkins, and Rodriguez each played at the big league level this season, rookie status means they will still be included in pre-season prospect rankings. Players aren't taken out of consideration until they graduate from their rookie status. Culpepper being among that group will help the MN Twins to fare better as those lists roll out.

With that being said, while the Twins would love to see their next wave of youth prove themselves as foundational pieces going forward, all three have areas of their game that need major work this offseason, if they are going to take the next step, especially offensively.

Jenkins has struggled the most amongst the Minnesota rookie trio, so far, currently batting .143 with a .556 OPS. He and the Twins hope he broke Thursday night when he produced three hits for the first time in his MLB career, included a game-tying homer in the 9th inning.

WALKER TIES IT UP IN THE 9TH pic.twitter.com/XKVGjk7ZVJ — Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 18, 2026

WALKER TIES IT UP IN THE 9TH pic.twitter.com/XKVGjk7ZVJ

Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 18, 2026

If Culpepper is done for the season, he'll finish his first 31 games in the big leagues batting .275 with a .737 OPS. He also ripped five doubles and three homers.

Rodriguez was the last of the top trio to get the call (and the most injured this season). He has played in just six games, batting .217 with a .728 OPS , with a 8/1 K/BB.