Michael Helman
Position: UT
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 195 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 05/23/1996
College: Texas A&M University
How Acquired: Waiver Claim (from Cardinals)
Drafted: 11th Round, 334th Overall, 2018 (Twins)
Bonus: $220,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 3
Overview
Helman is a utility player with plus speed and otherwise fringe to average tools. He has some contact ability and gap power, and puts up decent walk and strikeout rates. Defensively, he’s played all over the infield and outfield, with second base and center field being his most frequent positions. Baseball America describes him as fringe-average defensively at any position other than short or catcher. His arm is also roughly average. Helman’s been plagued by injuries since early 2023. With several infielders hurt, the Pirates claimed him off waivers from St. Louis in May 2025.
2018-20
The Twins sent Helman initially to advanced rookie ball and he batted .375 over a dozen games. They moved him up to low A and he put up a line of 355/398/486. He played mostly at second. After the season, BA ranked him as the Twins’ #27 prospect.
The 2019 season was a different matter. In high A, in the pitching-dominated Florida State League, Helman managed just a .524 OPS while still mostly playing second. He missed the last two months of the season with an injury. He didn’t play during the pandemic season.
2021-22
Helman had two solid seasons, 2021 back in high A and 2022 split between AA and AAA. In 2021, he had a .798 OPS with 19 home runs, which given the FSL is better than it looks. He also had good walk and strikeout rates. In 2022, he hit 278/367/472 in 39 games in AA, then 250/325/416 over the rest of the season in AAA. He totaled 20 home runs. He played a lot more in the outfield in both seasons, and started 25 games at third in 2022. BA returned him to his #27 ranking in the Twins’ system after the 2022 season.
2023-24
Helman missed the first several weeks of 2023 with an injury, then in May dislocated a shoulder. That kept him out until the end of August. He did some rehabbing and, in the end, got into 27 games in AAA, in which he had a .902 OPS and six home runs.
In 2024, injury problems came along again. Helman missed a couple weeks in April with a hamstring strain, then went out for two months in mid-June. He again hit well when he got into action, putting up an .848 OPS with 14 home runs in AAA. The Twins called him up on September 1 and he went 3-for-10 with them.
2025
Minnesota sent Helman to the Cards for cash in February 2025. St. Louis sent him to AAA and he again spent a couple weeks on the injured list. In 28 games he had a .553 OPS. The Pirates claimed Helman off waivers in mid-May, then designated him for assignment two days later to make room for Nick Solak.
Stats
Transactions
June 5, 2018: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 11th round, 334th overall pick; signed on July 5.
September 1, 2024: Contract purchased by the Minnesota Twins.
February 6, 2025: Traded by the Minnesota Twins to the St. Louis Cardinals for cash.
May 14, 2025: Claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
May 16, 2025: Designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates.