Walker Jenkins’ enormous athleticism is exactly what the Minnesota Twins need right now to make a stretch-run move for a playoff spot.
One problem. The 19-year-old outfielder isn’t ready for prime time. Injuries have curtailed his development. A left quadriceps strain limited him during spring training. After one at-bat in the 2024 season opener on April 9 at Class A Fort Myers, he strained his left hamstring and was out until May 20.
The Twins, 3½ games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central Division, and a half-game ahead of the Kansas City Royals for an AL wild-card spot, must use what they have for now. To help fill the void left by an injury to pitcher Joe Ryan, they called up Zebby Matthews today. We liked him earlier this summer. Meanwhile, they eagerly anticipate Jenkins’ growth.
Scouts universally agree that Jenkins projects as at least a four-tool star in center field. For those unfamiliar with the “tools” considered for a position player, they are (alphabetically):
- Fielding; Hitting; Hitting with power; Running; Throwing.
Jenkins checks all the boxes on the first four with his throwing arm considered good, though a shade under star status. Add in a very important quality not on the official list though highly sought: maturity. It all goes into him being currently listed No. 5 on the list of Top 100 Prospects by MLB Pipeline.com
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“The physical tools, the intellect, that maturity that he has shown is what really gets people excited about him," Class A Fort Myers manager Brian Meyer told reporters in June. “He is one of, if not the most mature 19-year-olds I’ve ever been around in my life,"
Jenkins signed for $7,144,200 as the No. 5 pick overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. Top pick Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and No. 4 Wyatt Langford of the Texas Rangers are already in the majors. Both are age 22. Jenkins is 19.
Another Bryce Harper?
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Jenkins is the same size that eight-time all-star, two-time National League MVP and 2012 NL Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper was at 19. That was when Harper hit 22 homers and stole 19 bases in 139 games for the Washington Nationals.
The Twins selected Jenkins largely on the recommendation of long-time scout Mike Radcliff, who passed away of cancer five months before the 2023 draft. One of his final reports was on Jenkins. He gave the left-handed slugger an eight on the Twins’ grade scale. Only a few others had ever achieved that mark, including Hall of Fame catcher Joe Mauer, the No. 1 pick overall by Minnesota in 2001. Stephen Strasburg, taken No. 1 overall in 2009 and Harper, No. 1 overall in 2010, also got those Twins grades before both were drafted by Washington.
“He was saying ‘Super high end for me,’ ” Derek Falvey, the Twins’ president of baseball operations told Dan Hayes of The Athletic last summer. “I think that’s a good way to think about it. When the time came this spring, would he have carried an eight had he still been alive through this process? I’m not sure. … But the fact that he had it in at the end of (2022) is a way to say ‘Huge ability here. If we have a chance to get this guy next spring based on what I’m seeing right now, he’s very much what we are looking for.’ ”
Hayes’ article revealed Radcliff’s report: “Impressive body/focus/presence … premium offensive ceiling — hitterish presence/swing to hit for avg and intent/leverage for top-of-scale power pot(ential) … will be a plus defender most likely in corner OF … Larry Walker/Bryce Harper comps … #1 pick candidate.”
Injury-prone?
The Twins took Jenkins despite knowing of his injury history at South Brunswick High School in Southport, NC. He had hip surgery as a freshman and broke a hamate bone in his hand as a senior.
Jenkins does not believe the injuries are chronic. When asked in this video, he said rehabbing from ailments this year has been a learning experience.
He showed no ill-effects at the plate upon returning to play. In nine games with the Twins’ team in the Florida Complex League, Jenkins batted .393 (11-for-28). Back at Fort Myers, he hit .270 in 33 games with 33 runs batted in. That earned him a recent promotion to Peoria of the Class A Midwest League.
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The Numbers Game
In 78 games as a professional, Jenkins has batted .307 with 66 RBI. He has more walks than strikeouts, 48 to 40, and swiped 14 bases in 18 attempts while playing fine defense.
Jenkins has struck out in only 11.5% of his 348 career plate appearances. Fellow 19-year-old outfielder Max Clark, picked No. 3 overall by the Detroit Tigers in 2023, has fanned at a 20% clip in 508 times up. Outfielder Dylan Crews, 22, picked No. 2 a year ago by Washington, has whiffed at a 21.2% rate. Langford has struck out in 20.3% of his plate appearance as a Rangers rookie.
Jenkins could be sent to the Arizona Fall League. Last fall, a couple of lesser-regarded Twins prospects did well out there. It couldn’t hurt. He needs to play.
It is going to take a little longer than the Twins hoped to determine if they struck out or hit for the equivalent of a baseball-draft grand slam with Jenkins.
