MLB is full of surprises, but this one? No one saw it coming! When you ask a rising baseball star about their dream inspiration, the usual suspects pop up—Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays. Legends of the game, right? But for Minnesota Twins prospect CJ Culpepper, his ultimate role models are not just limited to this list of diamonds! Yep, you read that right. While others might be studying iconic swings and historic home runs, Culpepper is also taking notes from someone completely outside the baseball world, and the name will get you buzzing. 

The 24-year-old baseball pitcher engaged in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports and deliberated on a wide range of topics, including his love for the sport and his aspirations. But what caught our attention was his admiration for one of the most celebrated female athletes in the world. And if you are thinking Serena Williams, you are in the right direction!

When quizzed about who is the one female athlete Culpepper always looks up to and would consider it cool to meet, he did not shy away from taking Williams’ name. Speaking in the interview, he said, “It’s a female sportsperson? Probably Serena Williams. That would be really cool, she was at Super Bowl.”

Indeed, meeting an athlete who broke several barriers to create a place for herself in the world of tennis, a sport that was once dominated only by white athletes, is a dream for many. Besides, the relentless grind that gave her 23 Grand Slams further empowered her as one of the greatest players of the sport. But what is more interesting is the fact that Culpepper’s remarks come just days after Williams mesmerized the world with her surprising Super Bowl appearance.

Remember, the former American tennis sensation was seen alongside Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show at Caesars Superdome, busting out some epic dance moves on stage. She decided to perform on Lamar’s “Not Like Us”—a diss track aimed at Drake that put the final nail in the coffin of the Lamar-Drake feud. And while Serena Williams faced some criticism from many people in the sports community, Culpepper’s latest remarks highlight the immense cultural weight that she has continued to carry even after hanging up her rackets. However, the 24-year-old’s admiration list is quite comprehensive and is not just limited to Williams. 

CJ Culpepper also expressed his desire to follow in the footsteps of a certain Dodgers pitcher – and interestingly, it’s not just because of his skills in the sport!

CJ Culpepper desires to emulate Dodgers Pitchers’ off-court traits as well 

CJ Culpepper is yet to make his giant strides in the sport’s biggest stage and wishes to get to the majors soon. With immense opportunities lying in ahead of him, the ace pitcher is gearing up to prove his mettle and walk in the footsteps of some of the most recognized faces of the sport. And despite being in a rival team, he wishes to emulate Clayton Kershaw, not just for his on-field talent, but his work off of it as well. 

When quizzed about who really is one of the standout players for him, the rising star took the name of Clayton Kershaw. “For me I think it’s Clayton Kershaw. Just the way he handles the business on the field and off the field,” he said. Continuing further, he also lauded his love for Christ and remarked it as one of the major reasons behind his admiration.

“I’m a big believer so I see him what he does off the field and all the stuff he does for charity and everything and just his love for Christ. I like to mimic that, I want to mimic that as best I can on and off the field so I think for him he’s always a guy that I looked up to in the game,” Kershaw added. 

Now, with Serena Williams and Clayton Kershaw inspiring Culpepper, it will be interesting to see how his time with the Twins unfolds. Will he manage to make some giant strides going forward? Well, that remains to be seen.