Minnesota Twins No. 1 Prospect is Finally Back
The Minnesota Twins selected Walker Jenkins with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. In the two years since, he has blossomed into a consensus top 10 MLB prospect. Now 20 years old, Jenkins' biggest professional struggle so far is a familiar one around these parts. Staying healthy.
Walker has been available for just two games this season, with his last action coming back on April 6, when he opened the regular season for Double-A Wichita. Unfortunately, an ankle injury that was first reported as a problem in Spring Training eventually landed him a cortisone shot and two months on the injured list.
Walker Jenkins starting rehab assignment
Fast Forward to today, June 3, and Walker Jenkins is scheduled to be in the Minnesota Twins' rookie league lineup, where he will finally begin his long-awaited rehab assignment.
Advertisement
According to Dan Hayes (The Athletic), Jenkins was supposed to start his comeback yesterday, but the FCL Twins' game was rained out. They have a doubleheader scheduled for today vs the FCL Rays. The first game is scheduled for 9 a.m. CDT this morning.
This year, Jenkins will be more than four years younger than the average player age in the (Double-A) Texas League. Last summer was Walker Jenkins' first full professional season.
The Minnesota Twins' prospect batted an impressive .282 with a .833 OPS across four levels, ending his 2024 minor league journey at Double-A Wichita, where he will eventually land when activated off the minor league injured list.
When available, Minnesota Twins top prospect producing beyond his age
Across 110 total minor league games to start his young professional career, Jenkins is slashing .299/.415/.471 with 27 doubles, 8 triples, and 9 home runs. He has also stolen 23-of-29 attempted bases and owns a 63/65 K/BB.
Advertisement
The North Carolina kid is a true five-tool talent who projects as a regular MLB All-Star caliber player. He may eventually have to move off center field, but he's pretty damn good out there right now.
On Monday, the MN Twins second-rated (and consensus MLB top 25) prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez hit the injured list for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. That makes the news that Walker Jenkins' return even more welcomed.
It's possible that Jenkins plays well enough to force the Twins into a promotion to Triple-A St. Paul, by the end of the this season. He has the talent and ability to make that a reality. But really, the most important thing is that he stays healthy and gains experience.
Advertisement
Related: Another Top MN Twins Prospect Hits the IL
Because by 2026, and certainly in 2027, Rodriguez and Jenkins should be contributing in the big leagues. Hopefully, in that time, both guys blossom into outfield cornerstones of the Minnesota Twins organization for a long time to come.
Related Headlines
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
26 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Lindor healing from broken toe and could be lineup for Mets this weekend, Manaea makes rehab start
DENVER (AP) — Shortstop Francisco Lindor's broken toe is healing fast enough that he may soon be back in the lineup for the New York Mets. Possibly even this weekend. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said before Friday's game against Colorado that Lindor did some running and went through some drills in the cage. He might even have some type of availability Friday, Mendoza added. Lindor's right pinky toe was broken by a pitch from Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin in the first inning on Wednesday. He sat out Thursday. 'I feel a little bit better today than how I felt yesterday,' Mendoza said about Lindor's availability against last-place Colorado. 'I thought maybe even the full series. But watching him today, talking to him, I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the lineup (Saturday) or the next day.' Ronny Mauricio filled in for Lindor at shortstop against the Rockies on Friday, while Brandon Nimmo was in the leadoff spot. Lindor is hitting .279 with 14 homers and 36 RBIs this season. He finished runner-up to Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in the NL MVP race last season. In Wilmington, Delaware, Mets lefty Sean Manaea made a rehab start for High-A Brooklyn against the Blue Rocks. He threw 36 pitches — 26 strikes — over 1 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs. Manaea, who has been sidelined all season by an oblique injury, struck out two and didn't walk a batter. The 33-year-old Manaea re-signed as a free agent with the Mets for $75 million over three years. He went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts last season. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why White Sox sale agreement is ‘strange'
Yahoo Sports senior MLB analysts Jordan Shusterman and Jake Mintz react to the team's announcement that Jerry Reinsdorf has agreed to sell a future controlling stake to billionaire Justin Ishbia. Hear the full conversation on the 'Baseball Bar-B-Cast' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript There is a big, big, big development in White Sox world. Advertisement Jerry Reinsdorf, who has owned the White Sox for 45 years. Hell yeah dude, has officially announced. At least a path to no longer owning the White Sox. So who's the lucky guy that's gonna be owning the White Sox after Jerry Reinsor? His name is Justin Ipia. Justin Ia, the brother of Matt Ishpia, who is the owner of the Phoenix Suns. Justin also involved in that ownership group, but it seems like Justin really wanted to kind of do his own thing. So with all that in mind, this is pretty massive news. Now that the timing here is, is interesting, right? So, the, the details are that from 2029 to 2033. Reinsdorf can sell the team the majority like he has the option to. Advertisement Uh, 2034, it flips and Justin I could just buy it. He can just, if he wants to suddenly buy the White Sox and be in charge of the White Sox, he can do that. But they make very clear, they say nothing is changing until 2029. Like that is a big part of this announcement is they're saying nothing is changing until 2029 other than Justin HBO infusing a bunch of cash to cover debt and start, you know, slowly running team operations. Here's the thing, Jake. Yeah, Jerry Reinsdorf's 89 years old, respectfully. You know, respectfully, 89 or. Respectfully, he's you're saying what you're saying is respectful. Yes, I am saying that respectfully, it is not a surprise that at age 89 Jerry Reinsdorf has finally decided we should probably come up with some sort of plan to to move on here. Advertisement Uh, but it is also a weird thing to get massive news about because normally when we have a, all right, this owner that a lot of fans are tired of is selling the team, there's like a here we go, we did it. But the fact that we do not know when this is going to happen over the next 6 or 7 years, and the fact that it could not happen until 2034 when like Hagan Smith is in his second year as a Dodger, it's like very kind of strange to process.
Associated Press
32 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Prosecutors describe their evidence in Wander Franco trial as 'convincing' and 'compelling'
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Key prosecution witnesses testified on Friday in the trial of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who faces charges of sexual abuse against a minor, before the Puerto Plata Collegiate Court in the Dominican Republic. The trial that was initially scheduled for Dec. 12 was postponed until earlier this week and three hearings have been held. On Thursday, the teenage girl testified behind closed doors. Prosecutors described the evidence presented on Friday as 'convincing' and 'compelling.' 'Franco Aybar kidnapped the victim for sexual purposes for several days and then sent large sums of money to her mother,' prosecutors stated. Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge last year and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos or $17,000 to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the abuse. The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest. Franco also has been charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. Prosecutors say that the minor's mother went from being a bank employee to leading an ostentatious life and acquiring assets that she cannot justify using the funds she received from Franco. Franco, who turned 24 on March 1, was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. He is currently on Major League Baseball's restricted list after initially being placed on administrative leave. Franco, who was charged in July 2024 and is on supervised release, could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. The trial is scheduled to continue Monday. ___ AP MLB:
