After missing over a month with a shoulder sprain, Walker Jenkins is back in Triple-A and just one step away from the big leagues. He played four rehab games between Single-A and High-A, going 9-for-16 with a pair of homers. A couple days later, he faced off against reds rehabber Hunter Greene in his first at bat since returning to Triple-A and blasted a 99 mph fastball to the center field wall for a 108.7 mph triple. The Twins’ prized outfield prospect is looking MLB-ready and could be just weeks away from his major league debut.
His sweet lefty swing generates an impressive blend of contact and power. At just 21 years old, his 112.3 mph max EV and 90th percentile in the 107 range are well above average and give him a chance to develop plus power as he continues to mature. His plus hit tool has translated seamlessly throughout the minors, and it is only getting better. With strong contact rates and high line drive rates, he could push close to the .300 batting average mark in the majors, although that may drop if he leans into more of a power-focused approach. With strong discipline and good spin recognition, Jenkins has more walks than strikeouts in Triple-A this season. He is a complete hitter with no considerable weaknesses and is remarkably polished for his age.
It’s not just the bat, though. The Twins are getting an asset in every aspect of the game. Jenkins probably won’t be an aggressive base-stealer, but he is a good runner and can provide value on the bases. Defensively, he is a capable centerfielder, but with Buxton in the way, he will slot nicely into right field, where his plus arm and good range are expected to be reminiscent of what Max Kepler did out there for so many years.
The Twins are trotting out Austin Martin, Trevor Larnach, Kody Clemens, and Kyler Fedko in the corner outfield right now, all of whom have controllability beyond this season. At the same time, they have Emmanuel Rodriguez, Alan Roden, Matt Wallner, and Hendry Mendez waiting across the river along with Jenkins. This overcrowding issue in the outfield has been on the horizon for a couple years and the Twins have reached a position where they now have to deal with it. Something has to give. The consensus opinion is likely that Larnach or Clemens should be traded, but those two have been two of the Twins most consistently productive bats. Would the team be willing to trade one or two of the prospects for a big league pitcher?
There are countless potential outcomes, but if there is one certainty in this crossroads, its that Walker Jenkins is a franchise cornerstone, and a spot will undeniably be there for him when the team decides that its time for his major league career to begin.
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