Usually, I tend to dig deep, but this week, I’m not. There are your household names, and some of them should be at the top of your offseason target lists if you are in a position to get them. The theme this week is: all about the power. My childhood hero, He-Man, once said, “I have the power.” Well, some of these guys do, and others don’t.
The Minnesota Twins selected Walker Jenkins with the 5th overall pick in the 2023 draft, one of the deepest classes in recent memory. The first four names off the board—Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, Max Clark, and Wyatt Langford—were all highly touted, and Jenkins wasn’t far behind. Out of high school, scouts described him as a five-tool player with massive raw power, the type of prospect who could anchor a lineup for years.
His road through the minors, however, has been anything but smooth. Injuries have consistently slowed his development. In high school, he underwent hip impingement surgery and also suffered a fractured hand. Since being drafted, he’s dealt with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months, followed by a left ankle sprain that landed him on the injured list to open this season.
Those setbacks limited his ability to showcase his raw tools. Coming into this year, Jenkins had hit just nine home runs across more than 100 professional games—a modest total for a player with his reputation for power. This season started no differently, as the ankle injury cost him the first several weeks of 2025. He didn’t make his debut until May 5th, but since then, he’s finally started to flash the star potential that got him drafted so high.
Today
Given his uneven track record and extended time away from the field, it was surprising to see the Twins promote Jenkins to Triple-A so quickly. He’s still just 20 years old and would have been well below the average age for Double-A, let alone one step from the majors. Yet Minnesota clearly saw enough during his stint in Double-A to believe he was ready for the challenge.
What makes Jenkins such a tough out is his ability to fight off pitchers’ pitches. He makes contact on 74% of swings at pitches outside the zone, an unusually high mark. That skill allows him to extend at-bats, foul off borderline offerings, and wait for something hittable. The result: a 14.7% walk rate paired with a strikeout rate under 20%.
Still, there’s some concern about how often he chases outside the zone. Big-league pitchers will test him with better sequencing and sharper offspeed stuff, and his ability to adjust will determine how quickly he finds success in the majors.
One area that stands out is how Jenkins has handled left-handed pitching. Many young left-handed hitters struggle in same-side matchups, but Jenkins has posted a .329 average and .443 OBP against southpaws this year. The power hasn’t come through—he has only four extra-base hits, all doubles—but the on-base skills suggest he won’t be vulnerable to a platoon role. That’s an important distinction for a Twins organization that often leans heavily on platoon advantages.
Defensively, Jenkins projects as a true center fielder. The Twins still have Byron Buxton patrolling the position, and for once, he’s managed to stay relatively healthy while producing one of his best seasons. Buxton is under contract through 2028, which raises questions about how Jenkins fits in the long term. Still, both players have the athleticism to shift to a corner spot if necessary, and that flexibility should help ease the eventual transition.
Projection and Rankings Update
This is the dangerous part—making comparisons. But when I watch Jenkins, I see shades of Bryce Harper. To be clear, Jenkins doesn’t have Harper’s jaw-dropping raw power. Harper regularly posts exit velocities north of 114 mph, a level Jenkins probably won’t reach often. But Jenkins does have the potential to develop into a 30-home-run hitter, thanks to a strong swing, good plate discipline, and the ability to generate lift.
The similarities go beyond power. Like Harper, Jenkins shows a patient approach at the plate, rarely striking out while drawing plenty of walks. His numbers will likely fluctuate as he adjusts to upper-level pitching, but given his age, the foundation is encouraging. Jenkins also adds value on the bases. Harper once stole 21 bases in a season and often hovered in the low double digits. Jenkins has the athleticism to match that type of output, giving him the chance to be a consistent power-speed threat.
As for the timeline, it’s unlikely the Twins will rush him to the majors this season unless he absolutely tears up Triple-A. A more realistic expectation is a debut sometime after August 2026, though an accelerated path isn’t impossible if he continues to adjust quickly. Minnesota’s competitive window may play a role—if they aren’t contending, they may prefer to hold him back to delay service time.
In terms of organizational fit, Jenkins projects as an everyday outfielder with upside well beyond that of depth options like Matt Wallner. When the Twins are ready to bring him up, it won’t be to fill a part-time role—he’s too talented for that.
I currently rank Jenkins 13th overall among prospects. For me, he sits in the second tier, alongside names like JJ Wetherholt, Zyhir Hope, and Josue De Paula. There isn’t much room for him to climb higher without sustained production and durability, but he’s quickly trending toward that conversation.
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As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
