Twins Select Walker Jenkins #5 Overall

[Jeremy Nygaard]

With the 5th pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Twins select Walker Jenkins, an outfielder from South Brunswick, North Carolina.

Image courtesy of Thiéres Rabelo

There was lots of uncertainty about the directions that the Twins would go with the fifth overall pick, with the top three college players and Max Clark off the board. There were rumors that the Twins would go under-slot and try to float some players into the range of their next picks. But when it came time, the Twins took the #4 player on the Consensus Big Board. 

I was less of a believer as the draft got closer, I'm not going to lie about that. Jenkins always seemed like the Twins type. The pretty swing that's going to lead to both hit and power. The 80-grade make-up the team always raved about with Royce Lewis. The idea that the Twins were so off on Jenkins led me to believe they were maybe just really worried about his hip.

But it all turned out to be a false narrative. The Twins got the guy that seems to be a perfect fit. Sure, they missed on the last prep hitter they drafted so high (Keoni Cavaco). Yeah, they don't have a great need for left-handed hitting outfielders. 

The Twins, though, lack high-end prospects. Brooks Lee is a Top 25 prospect in all of baseball, but I think it's fair to believe we could have expected more. Royce Lewis and Edouard Julien have graduated. Emmanuel Rodriguez was a Top 50 prospect to start the season but has struck out in over 40% of his at-bats and his .764 OPS is only saved because he has drawn 50 walks. Walker Jenkins could be the new #1 prospect. Is definitely not lower than #2 and has significant upside.

So what should we expect from Walker Jenkins? I think 2019 Max Kepler or present-day Kyle Tucker. 30 home runs is achievable with a league-average OBP. The ability to steal a dozen bases and be mobile enough with a really good arm in right-field to be considered an above-average defender.

Walker Jenkins is reportedly being advised by super-agent Scott Boras. This would have been a cringe-worthy sentence not too long ago, but the organization and Boras have done a lot of business lately. Draft slot is $7,139,700. Jenkins may get every penny of that (or more). I like to believe that the Twins could have convinced Boras that not going #5 meant maybe going #7 (since the A's are a disaster) and could shave some thousands off the slot. But, at the end of the day, Jenkins is going to sign and should hopefully get to Cedar Rapids by the end of the summer and join them for their playoff run. 

JD Cameron says this about Jenkins, who ranked fourth on the Consensus Big Board:

Quote

Jenkins is one of two premier prep prospects in the '23 class. At 6'3, 210, he's projectable and his athleticism is a clear separator. Jenkins has a quiet operation at the plate with excellent bat speed that gives him easy power to all fields. Jenkins is a good runner and route runner in the field with a plus arm. His speed may diminish over time, moving him to a corner spot eventually. Committed to North Carolina, Jenkins should be a top 5 pick in July and has the best hit/power combo of any prep bat and 30 home run potential at the next level.

What are your thoughts on the Twins selection of outfielder Walker Jenkins with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft? 

 

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[PDX Twin]

Of course they do. We are desperate for left-handed hitting outfielders.

[Elite Benchwarmer]

I'm glad they didn't overthink this pick - taking the consensus best available player.  it will be exciting to watch him develop!

[freshinthehouse]

Wish Clark would've fallen but oh well.  They got the best player available, which is always nice.

[redstorm]

2 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

Of course they do. We are desperate for left-handed hitting outfielders.

Honestly can’t tell if sarcasm, but if not, are you really suggesting that they drafted a consensus top 5 pick because of need? (Or lack thereof)

[Mike Sixel]

Definitely the top guy on the board. With a draft this deep, just taking the top guy makes the most sense. 

[Nashvilletwin]

In a lot of years, he’d be the overall first pick.  Glad the FO took the BPA.  

[mk]

Put him in CF in 5 days!

im kidding but wish him and the Twins all the best

[TopGunn#22]

I'm thrilled.  I liked Max Clark a little more but all the talk about the Twins getting cute and taking a SS or C instead of going with the clear cut best player had me worried.  Clark ended up going 3rd !  Langford went 4th.  There sat Walker Jenkins, an excellent average/power prospect with high character and the Twins did the right thing and picked him.  I don't care if he's a LH hitting OF.  In 2 1/2 years when he's up there may be no sign of Kepler, Gallo, Larnach or Wallner.  He's the right pick.  he's a GREAT pick!

[raindog]

7 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

Of course they do. We are desperate for left-handed hitting outfielders.

He’s 18. It’s irrelevant what our current needs are. 

[Linus]

Pleasantly surprised Falvine just made the obvious correct move. Thought for sure we would get an over think and take a guy for under slot money. 

[Seth Stohs]

Shocking! 

No, not shocking that he likes the Jenkins pick... shocking that he actually said something nice to and about the Twins! 

[Einstein]

So happy they went with one of the consensus top 5.  I was worried! 

[Seth Stohs]

3 minutes ago, Linus said:

Pleasantly surprised Falvine just made the obvious correct move. Thought for sure we would get an over think and take a guy for under slot money. 

Heard they never even considered other guys assuming Jenkins was available. 

[NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin]

The hitting pipeline looks very promising with Lewis and Julien in the bigs, with Lee, E-Rod, and Wallner soon to follow, and now Schobel and Jenkins in the low minors. I don't know how long this FO is going to be in a job, but they have set up a steady stream of good young hitters.

[raindog]

2 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Shocking! 

No, not shocking that he likes the Jenkins pick... shocking that he actually said something nice to and about the Twins! 

They fired him, man. Not exactly without cause but of course he’s not always going to be effusive towards them. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Seth Stohs said:

Heard they never even considered other guys assuming Jenkins was available. 

Of course they say that now.

He seems to be the kind of guy they pick a lot, but more athletic.

[Twins33]

6 minutes ago, raindog said:

He’s 18. It’s irrelevant what our current needs are. 

Agree, though the big need on this team right now is OF (I don’t care about handedness) so they nailed it!

[Danchat]

We gotta get the next generation of LH OFs ready! Can't wait until 2027.

Sarcasm aside, it's nice to see them take the top guy off the board, but it's hard to say anything since the MLB draft is such a crapshoot. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I especially like what I have read about Jenkins' attitude. Someone compared his attitude to Royce Lewis' attitude. I'll take that everyday. Great pick. Plus he's from North Carolina.

[TopGunn#22]

That's interesting Seth.  If they never really considered anybody but one of the top 5 in that spot I'm glad, but just like the silly season that is the NFL Draft with all it's rumor and misinformation, I'm glad the Twins picked Jenkins.  Maybe the MLB is going to become more like the NFL.  Although with the talent stacked at the top of THIS YEAR's draft maybe this will be an outlier.  Wonder who will be available at #34??

[Seth Stohs]

38 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Of course they say that now.

He seems to be the kind of guy they pick a lot, but more athletic.

I mean, he was there and they took him, so ...

[Mike Sixel]

Fangraphs has him as a fifty, so he'll be in the top sixty or so prospects on their list, well behind Lee, for now. 

[Dman]

Have to say the rumors had me doubting Jenkins would be the pick. I guess with it being Boras no chance at any under slot savings. I like the pick as matches pretty much everything the Twins look for in a player. He might not be a 70 runner but he has plenty of speed to be effective in right or left. Can’t wait to see how he does to start and next year I hope he looks good enough to start in A ball.

[Doctor Gast]

Good pick, could do lot worse, hoping for a steal with the next pick.

[Beast]

I’m happy with the pick.

I was hoping Clark or Langford would somehow be there, but this is what I expected.

They did the right thing, here, whether or not it works out.  BPA.

 

[Mike Sixel]

Can they entice Waldrep to keep dropping?

[DocBauer]

Never bought the under slot talk as it just didn't make sense to me with how deep the draft is, and money to spend. But still, when you hear a lot of chatter, it can get you worried. 

I wanted Clark if Langford didn't slip through somehow because I wanted such a top CF option. Either of them. But I still love everything I've heard or read about Jenkins. High character kid with legitimate hit tool, power, defense, arm, and better than average speed.

My hunch is he's going to fill out a little more, the speed will drop a little, and he'll end up in RF. Reminds me of the same profile Kirilloff had coming out of HS. 

Very possibly the top pick, easy top 3, most years. I think we should all be happy and excited about Jenkins. 

[USAFChief]

I'm not a draftnick at all, but

Already a corner outfielder, with surgeries on both hips and a broken hamate bone in his medical history?

 

Eekah-zeekah....

 

Hope it works out.  

[specialiststeve]

8 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

I'm not a draftnick at all, but

Already a corner outfielder, with surgeries on both hips and a broken hamate bone in his medical history?

 

Eekah-zeekah....

 

Hope it works out.  

What is your source on the medicals? read several articles... no mention of any medical issues. In fact state he is a physical stud.