Former Sea Unicorn Taken 21st Overall On Sunday
The Norwich Sea Unicorns inaugural Futures League roster in 2021 has added to its professional baseball ranks. Kaelen Culpepper, an infielder from Memphis, TN and Kansas State University, has been selected by the Minnesota Twins in the first round (pick 21) of the 2024 draft. Once Culpepper signs, he will join Jayvien Sandridge, a pitcher who signed a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds before ever throwing a pitch for the Sea Unicorns and is now in Triple-A El Paso with the San Diego Padres organization, and Colton Bender, a catcher who played 12 games with the Sea Unicorns in 2021 before being drafted by the San Diego Padres, and is currently playing in High-A Fort Wayne in the Padres system, as former Sea Unicorns in professional baseball.
During that inaugural 2021 season, Culpepper spent time playing shortstop, second base and third base over 40 games. A Futures League All Star, Culpepper batted .301 over 133 at bats, tallying 40 hits, 6 doubles, 2 home runs, 19 runs batted in, 30 runs scored, and was successful on 11 of 14 stolen base attempts.
“Seeing Kaelen Culpepper drafted in the first round is an exciting moment for the Sea Unicorns franchise,” said General Manager Lee Walter, Jr. “The Futures League has produced many great players throughout its history and the Sea Unicorns are thrilled to be able to contribute to the roster of professional players. Having Kaelen join Jayvien and Colton at the professional level shows that Norwich can attract good players and we look forward to having more former Sea Unicorns reach professional baseball over the next several years.”
The 2024 Major League Baseball draft continues on Monday and Wednesday. Further updates of former Sea Unicorns being drafted will be provided as they occur.