Some players pick up the bat in Little League; others are inspired by their favorite athlete. But for Minnesota Twins prospect, CJ Culpepper, it all started with …a lemon. Quite literally!

“My dad was the one who got me into the sport because when I was two years old, I actually threw a lemon through my grandma’s window, and that’s kind of how it all started.” His dad was an Angels fan and ensured he took his son to the games and nurtured his love for the sport. Now standing at 6 feet 3, he is proving that his arm is for the mound.

From Culpepper’s debut itself in 2023, he proved himself.

The Minnesota Twins’ prospect sure seems to have a fate intertwined that led him to baseball. And speaking of that, Culpepper’s belief in something greater has been strong. He holds deep faith in Christ and prefers to follow in the footsteps of Clayton Kershaw. A man who believes more than baseball, a man who wants to make a difference through faith.

CJ Culpepper, in an exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, said, “For me, it’s Clayton Kershaw. The way he handles his business on and off the field is something I really admire. I’m a big believer in my faith, and I see what he does off the field—his charity work, his love for Christ. I want to mimic that as best I can, both on and off the field.”

And yes, it’s no secret that Kershaw is a man deeply rooted in his faith.

Remember, when CBN Sports had joined Kershaw and other LA Dodgers teammates for their “Faith and Family Night”? Kershaw took the stage and dropped a message right from the heart.

“When I think about Jesus, the first word that comes to mind is hope. He’s my hope! And man, this world can get crazy sometimes.”

The $7.5M Dodgers star spoke before a crowd of fans once, “What anchors you? What gives you hope past this world? For us, that’s Jesus. Jesus is our eternal hope.” Clayton Kershaw’s actions go beyond baseball, and it also touches young players like Culpepper, for whom now making a difference in the world is what matters.

But faith or fate isn’t the only thing CJ Culpepper believes in!

Minnesota twins CJ Culpepper and his superstitions

It’s no secret, that athletes across sports have some personal rituals and superstitions. Whether it enhances their performances, or wards off bad luck. Michael Jordan wore his University of North Carolina practice shorts under his Bulls uniform. Serena Williams also stuck to wearing the same socks throughout the tournament if she was on a streak.

And just like that, CJ Culpepper is no exception.

One notable aspect of the Minnesota Twins prospect’s on-field persona is his distinct hairstyle. That hair length and style have become the talk of the town, and the commenters always find a way to mention it. Turns out, Culpepper has a superstition surrounding it.

“I don’t know—I just like it. I don’t think I’d ever cut it. Part of it is superstition, but I also just think it looks better than no hair.”

But that’s not his only superstition!

Back in college when he lived on campus, Culpepper mentioned that he had to park in the same spot every day. And that even his shampoo and conditioner had to be the same. And hear this: “I ate the same thing on game days. It was down to the nitty-gritty parts of my routine.” But he said that he had to wean that off when he got to professional baseball. He forced himself to not think of those.

Well, for some players, rituals play a role in the game. But at the end of the day, it’s the game that talks. Now Culpepper wants to go big; he even wants to strike out Ohtani and Juan Soto. Think someday he can?