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Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Emmanuel Rodriguez, Robby Snelling, Kaelen Culpepper - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.
Targeting high-end prospects is key to winning your fantasy baseball league. So far, managers have seen many rookies emerge as must-start players this season, including Parker Messick, Chase DeLauter, Noah Schultz, and potentially the recently promoted Payton Tolle.
In this piece, we will look at three prospects who are showing high upside at the Triple-A level, including two from the Minnesota Twins system.
Should fantasy managers stash these high-end prospects? Let's dive in!
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Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Minnesota Twins
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 10% rostered
2026 AAA Stats: 22 G, .239/.409/.451, 12R, 4 HR, 3 SB
This week, we begin in St. Paul, Minnesota, home of the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints. Outfielder EmManuel Rodriguez has a very fantasy-friendly profile because he blends on-base ability, power, and speed. However, much like his teammate and fellow top prospect Walker Jenkins, staying on the field has been a consistent challenge. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter from the Dominican Republic has appeared in just 112 games over the past two seasons due to thumb, hip, and oblique injuries.
For fantasy, he projects to be a 25-home-run, 10-stolen-base outfielder with a high on-base percentage. Last season, Rodriguez walked 20.6% of the time, helping to balance out his 31.8% strikeout rate. He also slashed .269/.431/.409 with six home runs and 10 stolen bases across 267 plate appearances. So far this season, he has been able to stay healthy, and it's showing in his hard-hit metrics.
Earlier this month, he crushed a ball 117.1 mph, which would rank as the third hardest hit ball in MLB, sandwiched between Yordan Alvarez (117.8 mph) and Junior Caminero (116.9 mph).
117.1 mph
426 feet 🚀MLB's No. 66 overall prospect EmManuel Rodriguez (@Twins) obliterates his fourth homer of the season for the Triple-A @StPaulSaints. pic.twitter.com/0EBDrmE12O
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 18, 2026
In the Twins’ outfield, Minnesota currently features Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, and Byron Buxton, with Austin Martin as a short-side platoon option against lefties. Buxton will play as much as his health allows, but that is far from a guarantee. Meanwhile, left-handed slugger Wallner is currently struggling, slashing .186/.278/.314 with a 38.1% strikeout rate and a 68 wRC+ across 97 plate appearances.
While Wallner likely has a long leash due to his one remaining minor league option, his inability to make consistent contact could lead to an eventual demotion or reduced role. With that said, the Twins could opt to call up fellow outfielder Jenkins instead, but he’s currently struggling in Triple-A, posting a 75 wRC+ across 84 plate appearances. Historically, the Twins have been cautious with promoting corner outfield prospects, though Rodriguez could still earn a call-up by June if he stays healthy and continues to produce.
Rodriguez is worth monitoring in 15-team, five-outfielder leagues. If he is called up, he should be added immediately. In shallower leagues, however, you can take a wait-and-see approach to make sure he is worth the roster spot.
-Written by Marty Tallman
Robby Snelling, SP, Miami Marlins
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2026 AAA Stats: 24 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 35 SO, 14 BB
At this point, each passing start in Triple-A for Robby Snelling is one start too many. After posting a 1.27 ERA in 11 Triple-A starts last season, Snelling has recorded a 2.25 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 37.2% strikeout rate in five starts this season. Sure, he's walked 14 batters in 24 innings, but that's not a concern for me right now as he's never experienced any notable command/control issues.
Robby Snelling had three double-digit strikeout performances in 2025 ... and now one in 2026.
The @Marlins' No. 2 prospect racks up 12 punchouts over 5 dominant frames for the Triple-A @JaxShrimp. pic.twitter.com/NYRK1GKWZT
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 11, 2026
Over his last three outings, Snelling has allowed just six hits and two earned runs combined in 16 innings with 25 strikeouts. Meanwhile, Chris Paddack has a 6.38 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 24 innings as the Marlins fifth starter. It'd be easy to say that Snelling will take over for Paddack soon (and he might), but the Marlins also have Braxton Garrett waiting in the wings. Regardless, I still expect Snelling to eclipse 100 major league innings this season.
- Written by Eric Cross
Kaelen Culpepper, INF, Minnesota Twins
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2026 AAA Stats: 24 G,.234/.327/.372, 16 R, 3 HR, 5 SB
The Twins’ No. 4-ranked prospect, Kaelen Culpepper, is one of the most well-rounded infielders in the system, and no, he is not related to former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper. He does, however, feature an advanced hit tool and has produced at every level of the minors. Offensively, the 23-year-old out of Kansas State brings a polished approach and strong bat-to-ball skills, allowing him to make consistent contact while limiting strikeouts.
Across High-A and Double-A last season, Culpepper slashed .289/.375/.469 with 20 home runs, 16 doubles, and 25 stolen bases, while posting a 17.4% strikeout rate and a 9.7% walk rate, good for a 138 wRC+. Although he hasn’t fully broken out in Triple-A this season, he appears to be heating up after snapping out of a slump with a two-homer game.
Two-homer game for Kaelen Culpepper, and it's only the 4th 😲
Watch the @Twins prospect in the Free Game of the Day with the @StPaulSaints.
LIVE: https://t.co/jN1BtVkGl5 pic.twitter.com/djLSFijy2R
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 28, 2026
Here’s a breakdown of his Triple-A season so far from a Statcast perspective. Notice the consistent red throughout his hard-hit metrics and speed.
Defensively, Culpepper offers quick feet, a strong arm, and solid instincts. Although scouts have debated whether he will remain at shortstop or eventually move to second or third base, he projects as an above-average everyday infielder either way. At the big-league level, the Twins’ infield features Brooks Lee, Luke Keaschall, Royce Lewis, and utility option Tristan Gray. Lee, Lewis, and Gray have been above-average hitters so far, while Keaschall has struggled with a 44 wRC+.
Lewis, despite his production, has also dealt with recurring injuries and remains just one soft-tissue issue away from another IL stint. If Keaschall continues to struggle, he could be optioned, given his remaining three minor league options. Meanwhile, although Gray has been productive in a limited role, posting a 115 wRC+ over 50 plate appearances, he is still a 30-year-old former 13th-round pick with a career 30.3% strikeout rate across 172 MLB plate appearances, making it unlikely he would keep Culpepper down.
In shallower leagues, Culpepper may not move the needle immediately, but in 15-team formats, he is worth monitoring closely. He profiles as a solid middle-infield option once called up. Keep a close eye on Keaschall’s performance and Lewis’ health, as any instability could open the door for Culpepper as early as late May or June.
- Written by Marty Tallman
2026 Prospect Fantasy Baseball Redraft Stash Rankings
Who are the top fantasy baseball prospects to know? Check out our latest 2026 prospect fantasy baseball rankings which are updated regularly by Eric Cross:
Promoted Last Week: Payton Tolle (BOS)
Promoted This Week: Trey Yesavage (TOR), Travis Bazzana (CLE), Elmer Rodriguez (NYY)
Honorable Mentions (Hitters): Lazaro Montes (SEA), Harry Ford (WAS), Ryan Clifford (NYM), Kemp Alderman (MIA), Esmerlyn Valdez (PIT), Gabriel Gonzalez (MIN), Zac Veen (COL), Deyvison De Los Santos (MIA), Hector Rodriguez (CIN), Michael Arroyo (SEA), Jonathon Long (CHC), Blaze Jordan (STL), Jacob Melton (TBR)
Honorable Mentions (Pitchers): Gage Jump (ATH), Carlos Lagrange (NYY), Hagen Smith (CHW), Jaxon Wiggins (CHC), Trey Gibson (BAL), Brody Hopkins (TBR), Kendry Rojas (MIN), River Ryan (LAD)
| Rank | Player | Position | Team | ETA |
| 1 | Trey Yesavage | SP | TOR | Tuesday |
| 2 | Travis Bazzana | 2B | CLE | Tuesday |
| 3 | Robby Snelling | SP | MIA | May |
| 4 | Ryan Waldschmidt | OF | ARI | May |
| 5 | Max Clark | OF | DET | June |
| 6 | Colt Emerson | SS | SEA | May |
| 7 | Didier Fuentes | SP | ATL | May |
| 8 | Bryce Eldridge | 1B | SFG | May |
| 9 | Charlie Condon | 1B | COL | May |
| 10 | Kaelen Culpepper | SS | MIN | May |
| 11 | Walker Jenkins | OF | MIN | June |
| 12 | Emmanuel Rodriguez | OF | MIN | July |
| 13 | Joshua Baez | OF | STL | July |
| 14 | Luis Lara | OF | MIL | June |
| 15 | Kevin Alcantara | OF | CHC | June |
| 16 | A.J. Ewing | OF | NYM | July |
| 17 | Jonah Tong | SP | NYM | June |
| 18 | Jett Williams | SS/OF | MIL | May |
| 19 | Aidan Miller | SS | PHI | July |
| 20 | Thomas White | SP | MIA | July |
| 21 | Spencer Jones | OF | NYY | July |
| 22 | Carson Williams | SS | TBR | May |
| 23 | Jhostynxon Garcia | OF | PIT | June |
| 24 | Pedro Ramirez | 2B/3B | CHC | July |
| 25 | James Tibbs III | OF | LAD | June |
Who Should I Pickup Fantasy Baseball Tool
Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
2026 Player Decisions. Looking to pick up someone else instead? Today's focus is on specific players like Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Josh Jung, Carter Jensen, Elmer Rodriguez, Travis Bazzana, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Robby Snelling, Kaelen Culpepper. These are some common searches for 2026 fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four MLB players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy baseball rankings, projections, and more.
Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2026. You'll see MLB player tiles with stats, projections, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Looking to pick up someone else instead? Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2026 for players like Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Josh Jung, Carter Jensen, Elmer Rodriguez, Travis Bazzana, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Robby Snelling, Kaelen Culpepper:
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