Get to Know Twins Draft. OF Pick Walker Jenkins

[Ted Schwerzler]

In the first year of the new Major League Baseball draft lottery, the Minnesota Twins couldn’t have been more fortunate. Moving up to the fifth overall pick in a loaded draft, they had an opportunity to select prep outfielder Walker Jenkins and exercised it.

 

Image courtesy of Michael Cuneo/STARNEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK

While Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes, both stars at LSU, were often talked about as the top pick, it was accepted that five players would have potentially been first overall picks in most other drafts. That included Florida’s Wyatt Langford and prep stars Max Clark and Walker Jenkins. With the board falling as it did, Sean Johnson was able to grab the talented young slugger committed to North Carolina.

It took a bit for him to sign as super-agent Scott Boras attempted to work out the most lucrative signing bonus, ultimately coming in just over slot. Now inked, and having seen his future home of Target Field, he’s down in Fort Myers and ready to go.

Before he gets into game action, Jenkins spared some time to talk about the next step in his baseball journey.

Twins Daily: With this draft having multiple players graded out as a first overall type of talent, how cool was it being thought of among that group? What was the draft experience like?

Walker Jenkins: I mean, it’s awesome. All of those guys considered in that top five are great ballplayers. To be categorized in that area is an honor, to be totally honest. The draft experience was amazing. To have my family and everyone that supported me there for me, and being with me, it was awesome.

TD: Coming out of high school and having already committed to North Carolina, once you start coming into your own, when does it transition to thinking about becoming a pro right from the prep ranks?

WJ: I always kind of looked at things as having stepping stones, and goals or check marks along the way. The first goal was to commit somewhere for college and possibly go play at that level. Obviously you want to get drafted as high as you can out of high school, but it doesn’t always work that way. With the pressure of being a high school kid that’s committed, it’s something that you just kind of have to learn to deal with. I feel like you have to accept that pressure to be successful at the next level, regardless of where that’s at.

TD: You played in the PDP league alongside of fellow Twins draftees Charlee Soto and Brandon Winokur. What is your relationship like with them, and how cool does it feel to go into an organization having familiar faces with you?

WJ: It was really cool. We all texted each other when the draft was over. We all played on the same PDP team so we got to build a bit of a relationship. It’s nice having some guys going into this. It’s a whole new world, and something you’re not familiar with, so having some guys to do it with me makes it a lot easier.

TD: Knowing you still have areas to grow, what are you most looking forward to when it comes to being around professional staff and facilities?

WJ: I think constantly being around guys that know so much and can help my game all around. Baseball is such a game of adjustments, pitch-to-pitch, play-to-play, and having guys that can spot the small things and help you make those adjustments is something I’m looking forward to the most.

TD: You have been classified as a corner outfielder, and sometimes those players get pigeon-holed as being a big power hitter. What is your game in your eyes?

WJ: I definitely say I’m an all-around player. I don’t think people give me enough credit for my athleticism sometimes. I think I have the ability to stick in centerfield. Ultimately that comes down to the coaches, what they think. I’m going to do everything I can to help whatever team I’m on win.

TD: Jumping from high school to pro ball, what do you anticipate being the most notable part of the jump in competition? Having played against such high-level competition on the traveling circuits, how has that prepared you?

WJ: Some of the arms I have seen and the competition levels that I’ve been a part of have helped to prepare me for this. Seeing guys mid-to-upper 90’s on a daily basis with really good stuff is going to be an adjustment. I’m not going to go and bat four, five, six-hundred all the time, like in high school. The mental side will also be an adjustment. Dealing with more failure, because that’s going to come whether I want it to or not, both those things I’ll need to adjust to and prepare for.

TD: Joining the Twins organization and being from the east coast, what does your familiarity with the organization and history of the club look like?

WJ: I don’t know too much in general, I’m still learning. Going to Target Field was the first time I’ve ever been to the state of Minnesota. I thought it was gorgeous, the state, the stadium. The people were amazing. I’m continuing to learn about the organization. Obviously I know about different players from being coached by several of them. Guys like Joe Mauer who are going to be Hall of Famers, you just hear about them.

TD: Outside of baseball, and just leaving high school, how do you get away from the game or what do you do for fun?

WJ: My favorite thing is just hanging out with friends. I enjoy spending quality time with guys. I enjoy hunting and fishing, and enjoy playing other sports as well.

Welcome to Twins Territory, Walker!

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[Patzky]

Ever since we signed him we've gone in the tank! Lol.. welcome aboard Mr Walker!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Good luck to my fellow North Carolinian. In fact, I'm looking out the window at the Atlantic Ocean as I am thinking what to type next in this comment. My family and I are spending my two weeks in Jenkins' home county at Oak Island, NC. It is a beautiful oceanfront community that my family and I visit annually for vacation. 

[roger]

Cannot believe how sharp this young man is.  Listening to the clip included, he speaks so well and his maturity is way beyond a typical 18-year old kid.

What is most interesting is the relationship he has with the other two high school kids taken at the start of this draft.  Have the Twins ever had a trio of high school kids with this much potential in the same draft?  Will they all play for the Twins four, five or six years from now?

 

[SteveLV]

The "Captain America" nickname fits his personality; It would be wonderful if he blossoms into a superstar.

[Jocko87]

2 hours ago, roger said:

Cannot believe how sharp this young man is.  Listening to the clip included, he speaks so well and his maturity is way beyond a typical 18-year old kid.

Agreed, every time I hear him speak I forget he's 18.  Being groomed for this for 5+ years helps but most don't take to it like he seems to.  Feeling comfortable in these situations will pay benefits to him for years to come. 

I also like that he wants to stick in center, wants to be a complete ballplayer.  He may move to a corner just to get the bat moving up the system but having that flexibility and athleticism will be great.  Very interested with Mike Radcliff comps to Bryce Harper and Larry Walker.  I'm sure those didn't come lightly and much like Harper moving off catcher they can just push the bat and let the rest catch up.