MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo conducted a survey, completed by more than 40 MLB executives across most organizations. One question the survey asked was: Who is baseball’s No. 1 prospect?
Some MLB executives voted Twins' top prospect Walker Jenkins as baseball's No. 1 prospect
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin received 88.4% of the votes, Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle received 4.7% and Seattle Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson, Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jesús Made and Minnesota Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins received 2.3%.
Griffin, 19, is clearly the best prospect in baseball. He posted a .941 OPS with 21 home runs and 65 steals while playing above-average defense at shortstop across three minor league levels in his first season of professional baseball.
While Griffin likely has the best odds of becoming a star among MLB's prospects, Jenkins could end up being just as good, or even better than the Pirates shortstop.
Jenkins, MLB Pipeline's No. 10-ranked prospect, likely would have made his MLB debut by now if he hadn't suffered numerous injuries in his short professional career. He missed over a month during the 2024 season due to a left hamstring strain and about two months in 2025 due to a sprained right ankle.
Jenkins, whom the Twins selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft from South Brunswick High School in Southport, North Carolina, throws with his right hand and has a smooth left-handed swing. He possesses all five tools, as he is an above-average runner and formidable defender with plus arm strength.
The Twins' top prospect slashed .309/.426/.487 (156 wRC+) with seven home runs in 52 games for Double-A Wichita this season before being promoted to Triple-A St. Paul. He struggled a bit with the Saints, hitting just .242/.324/.396 in 102 plate appearances, but he likely just needed time to adjust to Triple-A pitching.
Jenkins spent his first professional season (2023) in rookie ball and Low-A, hitting .362/.417/.571 with three homers, five doubles, four triples and 22 RBI in 26 games. Then, he hit .282/.394/.439 with six home runs, 22 doubles, four triples, 58 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 82 games across four levels in 2024.
Jenkins will likely begin the 2026 season with the Saints. However, if he has a strong Spring Training, Minnesota should consider having him start the season on its 26-man roster. If not, he will still likely make his MLB debut at some point during the 2026 campaign.