Twins' 2026 First-Rounder Vahn Lackey Is Already on the Move in the Minors

Just over one month ago, the Minnesota Twins selected Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. And now, the 21-year-old has already earned the first promotion of his minor league career.

Lackey, Minnesota's No. 2 prospect for 2026 on MLB Pipeline, has been bumped up from the Single-A Fort Myers Mighty Mussels to the High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels, the organization announced on Monday. With Cedar Rapids' 2026 regular season set to end on Sept. 6, the young catcher will play at most 12 High-A games this year.

After a standout season at Georgia Tech, Lackey was among the first players to hear their names called during the 2026 MLB Draft last month. The Twins' new star prospect then landed a reported $9,497,500 signing bonus, which marks the largest bonus given to a non-shortstop in MLB draft history. And after making his professional debut at the end of July, the 21-year-old is now officially beginning his climb through the minor leagues.

How has Vahn Lackey played so far in the minors?

Jul 24, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins 2026 first-round draft pick Vahn Lackey throws out a first pitch prior to the game against the Athletics at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lackey has played in just 15 Single-A games so far in his minor league career. The righty-swinging prospect hit .204 (11-for-54) with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. But he also posted a .389 on-base percentage and a .759 OPS with one home run, nine RBIs, five stolen bases, and 11 runs scored in his first stint at Single-A.

The 6-foot-2 catcher most notably launched his first homer in the minors this past Friday. Lackey belted a 0-2 slider over the fence in left-center field for a solo shot with an exit velocity of 106.2 mph against the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Single-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. After blasting 20 long balls this year for Georgia Tech, Minnesota fans likely expect this to be the first of many homers for the recent first-rounder.

Even though the minor league regular season is rapidly drawing to a close, Lackey should benefit in the long run from getting a taste of High-A action ahead of his first full year in the minors in 2027. The Twins prospect will most likely make his debut with the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Tuesday against the Lake County Captains, the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.

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