Twins promote top prospect Walker Jenkins to Triple-A St. Paul and Twins fans are buzzing
The Twins promoted outfielder Walker Jenkins to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, according to Twins Daily's JD Cameron. Jenkins ranks as the Twins' No. 1 prospect and MLB's No. 14 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
Jenkins, 20, slashed .309/.426/.487 (156 wRC+) with seven home runs in 52 games for Double-A Wichita this season.
Jenkins throws with his right hand and has a smooth left-handed swing. He has elite plate discipline, as shown by his .426 on-base percentage in Double-A this year, and has struck out at a below-average rate (18.72%) with the Wind Surge as well. He possesses all five tools, as he is an above-average runner and formidable defender with plus arm strength.
If it hadn't been for injuries, Jenkins, who was selected by the Twins out of high school in the first round (5th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft, may have made his MLB debut by now. The Twins' top prospect played two games for the Wind Surge this season before landing on the injured list with a sprained left ankle, which kept him sidelined until he began a rehab assignment on June 3. Additionally, Jenkins missed over a month last season due to a left hamstring strain.
When will Twins' top prospect Walker Jenkins make his MLB debut?
While Jenkins's main focus at the moment likely is to help the Saints win ball games, Twins fans are eager to see him make the jump to the big league level. MLB Pipeline projects the outfielder will make his Twins debut next season, which will likely be true unless he suffers another brutal injury or struggles to hit Triple-A pitching. Jenkins will most likely begin next season with the Saints before being promoted to the major leagues, unless he impresses to the point where Minnesota's front office cannot justify keeping him in the minor leagues.
There is also a small possibility that the Twins will promote Jenkins in late September once the Triple-A season ends so that he can get his feet wet in the major leagues. It would be one way to get fans in the seats at Target Field during a disappointing season. It's unlikely, but certainly possible.