Pittsburgh native Kyler Fedko swinging hot bat for Wichita Wind Surge in Double-A Texas League

The road to the majors in baseball can be a long and arduous course.

For some, they are gifted to the point that getting to the big leagues is merely a question of how fast. For others, that road can be much longer, one that may never lead to the off-ramp of tasting success at the game’s highest level.

For Vincentian Academy graduate and Gibsonia native Kyler Fedko, his route to the majors has not been determined. But based on his play in 2025, the 25-year-old is doing all he can to make his bosses think twice about his next steps.

Fedko has been mashing baseballs thrown his way as a member of the Wichita Wind Surge, a Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins that plays in the Texas League.

He leads the league in home runs with 20, runs scored (62) and RBIs (56). Fedko has also swiped 26 bases and carries a .256 batting average.

On Tuesday, Fedko homered twice, making him the first player in Wind Surge history to register a 20-20 season. Now in his fifth season of minor league ball, it’s the power surge he’s experienced this year that propels his quest to make the big leagues.

“It’s been a great year,” said Fedko, who grew up in the Hampton School District and is the son of former Pittsburgh sportscaster John Fedko. “It’s always good to hit for power. It’s a big metric in the game today. I love hitting homers. Hopefully, they continue to fly.”

Wichita manager Brian Dinkleman has been impressed with Fedko’s power surge, given that he only hit three home runs in 2024.

“For a guy to accomplish that, providing value on both sides of the ball hitting home runs and stealing bases, it’s a special accomplishment,” he said. “The season he’s had has been incredible. He’s always had bat-to-ball skill, to put the ball in play, but for him to find the power this year and drive the baseball, it’s been fun to watch.”

Jeff Hourigan is now stranger to Fedko hitting for power. He was Fedko’s hitting coach when he attended UConn.

“He was a physically gifted kid,” Hourigan said. “He had a joy for playing the game. Kyler loved being out there and had a knack for hitting. He had a typical freshman year. He hit well and had some good moments in 2019.”

In 2020, Fedko began to hit with power, registering a batting average over .400 before the season was put on the shelf due to the covid-19 pandemic. Hourigan recalled his progression as a hitter with glee.

“In 2021 when he got drafted (in the 12th round by the Twins), he was unconscious in his hitting. He ended up close to .390 and placed balls all over the field,” Hourigan said. “He was a leader, and you knew he was going to get the job done. He could separate pitches and at-bats, that so many players that play the game can’t do. He always knew he could get a good swing and had a chance in every at-bat to get a hit.”

Adjusting to travel has also helped Fedko with his game.

“We play a six-game series, so it’s a bit less travel,” said Fedko, who helped lead Vincentian Academy to PIAA titles in 2016 and ‘18, batting .661 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 2018. “But you play every night. The grind is real. It’s wire-to-wire and a grueling season when it’s 95 degrees-plus every day, but it’s fun.”

As far as making the majors, his manager spoke about staying consistent at the plate.

“He’s got to continue doing what he is each day,” Dinkleman said. “When you’re putting up numbers like that and playing every day, it’s only a matter of time before he gets to that next level.”

Hourigan shared similar thoughts on Fedko’s chances of making the jump to Triple-A and a shot at the show.

“I believe he can do it,” he said. “You talk about the physical aspect. I think he’s figured out how to hit the ball and drive it consistently. He has the mind for it. He can let things go and move on. You pair that with his physical tools. With his tools, I think Minnesota can give him a shot.”

Fedko knows he’s on a clock to make the major leagues.

“It’s always ticking, but it’s you vs. you,” he said. “If you put up the numbers, you are going to force their hand at some point. The age thing is a factor, but you determine your next move.”