Could Walker Jenkins Go on a Holliday Tour?

[Ted Schwerzler]

It could not have come at a better time when the Minnesota Twins found themselves benefitting from the first-ever Major League Baseball draft lottery. Moving up to the fifth pick in a draft with five traditional prospects that would be in play at first overall, they were going to get a dude. Walker Jenkins is now that guy, and Jackson Holliday presents an exciting trajectory to chase.

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

Two years ago, during the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, the Baltimore Orioles selected Jackson Holliday with the first overall pick. The son of former big leaguer Matt Holliday, Jackson was a tooled-up shortstop that could blitz a farm system. He was a consensus top-15 prospect across the sport before his first full season, and he did nothing to throw water on that.

Posting a .911 OPS and reaching Single-A during his first 20 professional games, the Orioles started Holliday at that level in 2023. He spent just 14 games at Low A, before making a 57-game stop at High A. Holliday posted a .940 OPS in South Atlantic League action and found his way to Double-A Bowie. More of the same results came, and his .928 OPS allowed for a 14-game cameo at Triple-A Norfolk to end the season.

Although Baltimore doesn’t need Holliday to crack their Opening Day roster, he will be in big-league camp with an opportunity to do so. The shortstop position is taken by American League Rookie of the Year winner Gunnar Henderson, and former top-100 prospect Jordan Westburg is penciled in at second. Ramon Urías could be supplanted at third base, though, and Holliday may be just the talent to do so.

A rise through the entirety of the farm system in less than two seasons as a teenager is something we don’t see often., and it's also something the Twins haven't been known to lean into The Bryce Harper path is undoubtedly one less traveled, but if Holliday is going to make it work, it’s a blueprint that Minnesota wouldn’t hate to see Walker Jenkins follow.

Already in Fort Myers getting prepared for the season, Jenkins will likely be very high on multiple prospect lists when they debut. In a 26-game sample that included 12 contests at Single-A, the North Carolina native owned a ridiculous .989 OPS. He showed off the power, the speed, and the plate discipline while still looking like a player who could contribute in centerfield.

We likely won’t see Jenkins bulk up substantially this early in his professional career, but as he matures into his body, there is a sense that a future home may be on one of the corners in the outfield. His athleticism will give him every opportunity to stay in center, but the power profile will fare fine if he has to move to a corner. That's not the traditional blueprint for a player that will see a quick rise, so Jenkins would need to buck that trend.

The Twins could have gotten more aggressive with Jenkins last season if they wanted to infuse his talent into the High-A Cedar Rapids roster for their playoff run. They opted against that outcome, but it should be where he is expected to start most of his first half. Staying in Fort Myers until Iowa warms up makes some sense, but that shouldn’t be expected to remain an extended stay. The sky becomes the limit if Jenkins can show well in 50 games or so for the Kernels.

Like Holliday last season, Jenkins could utilize his talent and production to push for somewhere around 50 games at Double-A in 2024. He may find a way to get a Triple-A look, but that doesn’t necessarily need to happen for a 2025 debut. Also like Holliday, he would be unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, but being within sniffing distance at 20 years old would be incredible with Minnesota.

Rocco Baldelli must find a new corner outfielder after Max Kepler leaves. Even if he isn’t traded this offseason, it doesn’t seem likely the franchise would retain his services from the open market, and Matt Wallner has plenty to prove in 2024 if he wants to be a regular for years to come. The outfield could look much different at Target Field in a year or two, and seeing a superstar prospect be a part of that would be exciting.

What Holliday did for the Orioles last season, and the position he has put himself in to start 2024, is eye-opening to say the least. Expecting that from Jenkins isn't unfair, but limiting him against being an outlier could be so as well. He has appeared within the top 20 of multiple top 100 prospects lists, and replicating 2023 production is only going to push him further up. Acclimating further as he rises the ranks is a must, and consistently producing loud contact is something that made him appealing in the first place. Jenkins has a plan in place for the season, and putting it together should be fun to watch.

The Twins haven’t had a prospect with Jenkins’ talent since Royce Lewis, and they haven’t had one stay healthy on the farm in even longer. This is a kid from the same vein as Lewis, Byron Buxton, and Joe Mauer. Those don’t happen often, and seeing what the meteoric rise could look like will definitely be worth watching in the year ahead.

View full article

[Nashvilletwin]

Let’s not forget Rodriguez as a starting (corner) outfielder possibility in 2025 (or late 2024 for that matter).

The point being, even though Walker is the next Roy Hobbs, there is no reason to push him too fast.  His total development as a ballplayer - physically, mentally and in terms of baseball education - is what the Twins should be looking to attain.

Give the lad only the rope he can handle and be patient.  2026 would be just fine for a late season debut, if even that isn’t too fast. 

[chpettit19]

It will be interesting to see what Baltimore does with Holliday and if they bring him up early to chase another pick with back to back rookie of the year winners. Will then also be interesting to see how the Twins handle Jenkins as he nears the majors and see if they chase an extra pick by being aggressive with his final promotion. Would certainly be a change from their typical way of treating prospects, but if you have a 19/20 year old showing they're ready for the bigs it should cause you to change some things.

I think the Holliday path is likely our best case scenario, even if it'd be super cool to see him go ARod on things and debut in his first full season. That doesn't really seem possible. But putting himself on the doorstep would be so huge for this franchise. A legit debate about him opening 2025 with the Twins would be so cool. Shouldn't be the expectation, but man it'd be cool. I think a September callup in 2025 is a pretty reasonable idea if our hope is that he's a superstar type player. Anything beyond that and he'd still certainly be a very nice piece, but would be slightly disappointing.

The Jacksons (Holliday and Chourio) should be our hope, but maybe not expectations, for Walker. 2 phenoms set to debut as 20 year olds in 2024. I'm hoping Walker can debut as a 20 year old in 2025. Everything I've read about him, and all the interviews I've seen with him, have certainly painted pictures of him being a really good kid with his head on straight and the work ethic to make his dreams come true quickly. I'm excited to follow his journey.

[Dawgzilla]

How come Twins never get a stud to come up, permanantly, and play at very high caliber at age of 19-20??????????

[sweetmusicviola16]

Our 2026 OF: Jenkins/Wallner/E. Rodriguez

That looks pretty awesome with Buxton backing these guys up. Fast foreward to the end of "26 into "27 and you add Jose Rodriguez and Winokur into the mix. OF future looks bright.

MLB top 100 has Jenkins at #10. Lee at #18 and E. Rodriguez at #42. Now we need to figure out this pitching pipeline thing......

[sweetmusicviola16]

On a side note, if Holliday and Jenkins were available in the same draft I would still opt for Holliday over Jenkins. I think Holliday is just that good and will be that good.

[sweetmusicviola16]

On the MLB Top 100 just released yesterday E. Rodriguez actually rose from #48 in 2023 to #42. It's going to be fun watching him Star in the MLB for years to come. Along with Jenkins and Lee. No trading of these 3 Falvey.

[Nashvilletwin]

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

On the MLB Top 100 just released yesterday E. Rodriguez actually rose from #48 in 2023 to #42. It's going to be fun watching him Star in the MLB for years to come. Along with Jenkins and Lee. No trading of these 3 Falvey.

Throw in three really good rookies from last year (Lewis, Julien, and Wallner) plus a top 10 MLB young catcher (Jeffers), by 2026 we potentially have seven cheap (league minimum or arbitration) controllable young stars to go alongside Correa in the field.  We also have plenty of additional young talent to add in around the edges. Let’s hope the FO lets this roster gestate.  

[Linus]

Jenkins is a very exciting prospect. He is 18. He has played 26 professional games. Calm down and let the kid have his best path to mlb. Most of the scenarios proposed only apply to some of the greatest players ever. I hope that is Walker Jenkins but I doubt it. Reminds me of when Sanó was lighting it up as a rookie and one of the writers at TD compared him to Harmon. I called that a total joke which was unpopular and well true. This is how ridiculous expectations are built. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

36 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Throw in three really good rookies from last year (Lewis, Julien, and Wallner) plus a top 10 MLB young catcher (Jeffers), by 2026 we potentially have seven cheap (league minimum or arbitration) controllable young stars to go alongside Correa in the field.  We also have plenty of additional young talent to add in around the edges. Let’s hope the FO lets this roster gestate.  

Extensions of the 4 guys you mention might be the most prudent thing to do since we are not signing FA's this season. I'll add Duran to those 4 listed. Ober and Ryan possibly too.

[JD-TWINS]

At this point, Wallner seems to be a future lock in RF……….I keep thinking Rodriguez is the prospect that gets traded as we obtain pitching……..this seems logical due to the depth of Jenkins behind him by 1 year.

Lee slots in at 3B & Julien at 2B going forward?

Really think Lewis moves to LF by ‘25. We’ll see…….everything I’ve seen seems to point to Lee as the better 3B choice - CC isn’t going anywhere - Julien is pretty valuable at 2B - seems the athletic Lewis would be best for a move elsewhere so everyone’s bat can get in the line-up.

Maybe Lewis to 1B & Kirilloff to LF is the best solution for ‘25?…………Jenkins at High A & then AA in ‘24…….AA & AAA in ‘25 with a possible look in September if the club needs an infusion - seems like a possible path.

Let’s get ‘24 right first!

[Fatbat]

By the end of ‘25, its Wallner, Jenkins, Erod and Buxton as the 4 outfielders. The SP pipeline starts throwing 2 rookies into the mix every year starting in ‘24. No reason to trade any of these guys away. Lets play money ball!!

[roger]

The Mick joined the Yankees a few months before his 20th birthday.  Jenkins turns 20 in February 2025.  So to match Mick’s timeline, he needs to join the Twins late this year. 
 

Someday there will be a player as good as Mantle.  I say, why can’t it be Jenkins?

[tony&rodney]

7 hours ago, Dawgzilla said:

How come Twins never get a stud to come up, permanantly, and play at very high caliber at age of 19-20??????????

Bert Blyleven was an absolute stud. Look up his numbers. Over 440 innings in his first two years and he was barely 19 years old when he debuted for the Twins. Bert went on to throw 242 complete games and 60 shutouts. Blyleven was a superstar. In 1973 Bert had 25 CG and 9 shutouts. It doesn't get any better really.

[tony&rodney]

I'm hoping Jenkins makes it up to Cedar Rapids by June so I can watch him play. There is a ton of hype for the young man but special players ignore the talk and focus on learning and producing. From my perspective, based only on a trove of other's judgments, Jenkins has Buxton talent. I don't ever remember Lewis receiving the accolades for his skills and talent that Buxton and Jenkins had going into the draft. Lewis received major praise for his personality.  I think Mauer was a category of his own as an athlete. Terry Ryan said that Mauer could have been put directly into an MLB  lineup  after being drafted if played in the field as opposed to being a catcher. There is a sharp learning curve at catcher. Count me as one who is very excited to see how Walker Jenkins takes to his first full year of professional baseball.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, roger said:

Someday there will be a player as good as Mantle.  I say, why can’t it be Jenkins?

Ugh.  You want Jenkins to lead the league in striking out 5 different seasons?

[Joe A. Preusser]

9 hours ago, Dawgzilla said:

How come Twins never get a stud to come up, permanantly, and play at very high caliber at age of 19-20??????????

Newly minted first ballot HOFer Joe Mauer would like a word please.  

[sweetmusicviola16]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Bert Blyleven was an absolute stud. Look up his numbers. Over 440 innings in his first two years and he was barely 19 years old when he debuted for the Twins. Bert went on to throw 242 complete games and 60 shutouts. Blyleven was a superstar. In 1973 Bert had 25 CG and 9 shutouts. It doesn't get any better really.

I know he didn't quite make star status,though he was an All-Star his first two seasons, but Butch Wynegar was only 26 days past 20 y/o when he debuted. But he was pretty darn good for his first few seasons. 

Carew was only 3 or 4 months past 21.

[DocBauer]

There's an awful lot to unpack here.

First of all, full admission, projections had the Twins drafting Clark and I wanted that. I saw him as a pure CF. In retrospect, despite all I had read, I just missed the idea/conception that Jenkins was a legitimate CF option. I guess I just listened to too many "As he fills out" comments. And truth is, he's so young still, he COULD just NATURALLY grow and bulk up to force a move to a corner spot one day. But the kid is so well put together, and has so much natural power already, you almost want him to stop growing physically at this point, LOL.

He reminds me so much of Royce Lewis in ability and attitude, and intelligence and attitude and faith it's wonderful. I'm so impressed by this kid not just because his debut was great, but because of his work ethic. 

I do have to object to speculation, however. We want to focus on Holliday, per the OP, but that's not really fair to do so. Hrbek exploded, as did Puckett and Mauer. We forget that WAY back in the day, Blyleven debuted as a teenager. With Hrbek, Puckett and Mauer, and even Buxton, the Twins HAVE HAD those early 20 year olds debut. 

But the whole Griffey and Gooden's and Harper's and a few others making a mark at 19 and 20/21 yo are unique. Some become HOF players...and some flame out. 

It's AWESOME if the Twins have another early 20's stud prospect who reaches MLB that soon. (Lewis would have if not for the knee injuries). But I would be ECSTATIC if Jenkins rose to AA for the last half of 2024 as a 20yo! It would put him on the cusp of reaching MLB in 2025 at some point as a 21yo! That would be outstanding!

But I really hate projecting one kid vs another when everyone is different, and time will ultimately be the factor. Holliday might hit a wall, and Jenkins might break through that wall. Time will tell. If he debuts as a stud at 22yo, I certainly wouldn't hold it against him.

I'm not a betting man. But I understand the law of averages. The Twins got really lucky with Lee and Jenkins both. The FO knows this. I would be SHOCKED if Lee is moved. And Jenkins is going nowhere except up. But if Jenkins isn't ready until 2025 or so, I'm not going to fret or worry. 

 

[sweetmusicviola16]

9 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

There's an awful lot to unpack here.

First of all, full admission, projections had the Twins drafting Clark and I wanted that. I saw him as a pure CF. In retrospect, despite all I had read, I just missed the idea/conception that Jenkins was a legitimate CF option. I guess I just listened to too many "As he fills out" comments. And truth is, he's so young still, he COULD just NATURALLY grow and bulk up to force a move to a corner spot one day. But the kid is so well put together, and has so much natural power already, you almost want him to stop growing physically at this point, LOL.

He reminds me so much of Royce Lewis in ability and attitude, and intelligence and attitude and faith it's wonderful. I'm so impressed by this kid not just because his debut was great, but because of his work ethic. 

I do have to object to speculation, however. We want to focus on Holliday, per the OP, but that's not really fair to do so. Hrbek exploded, as did Puckett and Mauer. We forget that WAY back in the day, Blyleven debuted as a teenager. With Hrbek, Puckett and Mauer, and even Buxton, the Twins HAVE HAD those early 20 year olds debut. 

But the whole Griffey and Gooden's and Harper's and a few others making a mark at 19 and 20/21 yo are unique. Some become HOF players...and some flame out. 

It's AWESOME if the Twins have another early 20's stud prospect who reaches MLB that soon. (Lewis would have if not for the knee injuries). But I would be ECSTATIC if Jenkins rose to AA for the last half of 2024 as a 20yo! It would put him on the cusp of reaching MLB in 2025 at some point as a 21yo! That would be outstanding!

But I really hate projecting one kid vs another when everyone is different, and time will ultimately be the factor. Holliday might hit a wall, and Jenkins might break through that wall. Time will tell. If he debuts as a stud at 22yo, I certainly wouldn't hold it against him.

I'm not a betting man. But I understand the law of averages. The Twins got really lucky with Lee and Jenkins both. The FO knows this. I would be SHOCKED if Lee is moved. And Jenkins is going nowhere except up. But if Jenkins isn't ready until 2025 or so, I'm not going to fret or worry. 

 

Talk about a guy that flamed out. Joe Charboneau. I know he was a little bit older. But he looked so young. And in 1980 he looked so good. Great. What happened? Pressure maybe. Initially drafted by the Twins.

[roger]

2 hours ago, ashbury said:

Ugh.  You want Jenkins to lead the league in striking out 5 different seasons?

Correct me if I am wrong, but Mantle is in the HOF, isn’t he?

[roger]

22 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

There's an awful lot to unpack here.

First of all, full admission, projections had the Twins drafting Clark and I wanted that. I saw him as a pure CF. In retrospect, despite all I had read, I just missed the idea/conception that Jenkins was a legitimate CF option. I guess I just listened to too many "As he fills out" comments. And truth is, he's so young still, he COULD just NATURALLY grow and bulk up to force a move to a corner spot one day. But the kid is so well put together, and has so much natural power already, you almost want him to stop growing physically at this point, LOL.

He reminds me so much of Royce Lewis in ability and attitude, and intelligence and attitude and faith it's wonderful. I'm so impressed by this kid not just because his debut was great, but because of his work ethic. 

I do have to object to speculation, however. We want to focus on Holliday, per the OP, but that's not really fair to do so. Hrbek exploded, as did Puckett and Mauer. We forget that WAY back in the day, Blyleven debuted as a teenager. With Hrbek, Puckett and Mauer, and even Buxton, the Twins HAVE HAD those early 20 year olds debut. 

But the whole Griffey and Gooden's and Harper's and a few others making a mark at 19 and 20/21 yo are unique. Some become HOF players...and some flame out. 

It's AWESOME if the Twins have another early 20's stud prospect who reaches MLB that soon. (Lewis would have if not for the knee injuries). But I would be ECSTATIC if Jenkins rose to AA for the last half of 2024 as a 20yo! It would put him on the cusp of reaching MLB in 2025 at some point as a 21yo! That would be outstanding!

But I really hate projecting one kid vs another when everyone is different, and time will ultimately be the factor. Holliday might hit a wall, and Jenkins might break through that wall. Time will tell. If he debuts as a stud at 22yo, I certainly wouldn't hold it against him.

I'm not a betting man. But I understand the law of averages. The Twins got really lucky with Lee and Jenkins both. The FO knows this. I would be SHOCKED if Lee is moved. And Jenkins is going nowhere except up. But if Jenkins isn't ready until 2025 or so, I'm not going to fret or worry. 

 

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but won’t Jenkins be 19 during all of the 2024 season?

[harmony55]

22 hours ago, Linus said:

Jenkins is a very exciting prospect. He is 18. He has played 26 professional games. Calm down and let the kid have his best path to mlb. Most of the scenarios proposed only apply to some of the greatest players ever. I hope that is Walker Jenkins but I doubt it. Reminds me of when Sanó was lighting it up as a rookie and one of the writers at TD compared him to Harmon. I called that a total joke which was unpopular and well true. This is how ridiculous expectations are built. 

We all hope Walker Jenkins blossoms into an All Star but perhaps we need to pump the brakes on the small sample; Compare these 2023 stats between complex action and Low A:

Player A 26 G, 115 PA, .362/.417/.571/.989

Player B 24 G, 114 PA, .374/.496/.550/1.055

Player A is Walker Jenkins, who is five months older than Player B, middle infielder Colt Emerson, whom the Seattle Mariners selected with the 22nd pick of the 2023 draft.

Each deserves fan excitement but it's too early to anoint either a star.

[DocBauer]

45 minutes ago, roger said:

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but won’t Jenkins be 19 during all of the 2024 season?

He turns 20yo February 2024 based on BF reporting. 

Still a  very, very young prospect.

[Doctor Wu]

14 hours ago, Fatbat said:

By the end of ‘25, its Wallner, Jenkins, Erod and Buxton as the 4 outfielders. The SP pipeline starts throwing 2 rookies into the mix every year starting in ‘24. No reason to trade any of these guys away. Lets play money ball!!

The Twins certainly have a VERY exciting bunch of young prospects in the system now, and several of them look like they may end up being high quality, all-star type players. But man, about that pitching pipeline ... we still need some better arms in the rotation. Just look at the Angels. In recent years they had two of the best players in the game with Trout and Ohtani, and yet they never even made the playoffs during that time. Granted, Ohtani was pitching during SOME of this period, but still it shows the need for better starting pitching if you want to make the post-season and actually win a series or two or three. Granted, we have some good young arms in the minors too, but not many that have the potential to be frontline starters, except for maybe Soto or Prielipp, and still too many question marks at this stage for those guys. 

[Fatbat]

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

The Twins certainly have a VERY exciting bunch of young prospects in the system now, and several of them look like they may end up being high quality, all-star type players. But man, about that pitching pipeline ... we still need some better arms in the rotation. Just look at the Angels. In recent years they had two of the best players in the game with Trout and Ohtani, and yet they never even made the playoffs during that time. Granted, Ohtani was pitching during SOME of this period, but still it shows the need for better starting pitching if you want to make the post-season and actually win a series or two or three. Granted, we have some good young arms in the minors too, but not many that have the potential to be frontline starters, except for maybe Soto or Prielipp, and still too many question marks at this stage for those guys. 

Agreed. The Pohlads have $4,000,000,000.00 in net worth and they wont invest 25,000,000.00 in another SP.  I get excited about prospects that can change the twins or increase their chances of success. With the success that we are having in the minors,  its going to translate into MLB. We have an almost complete team to get to the post season every year.  The Angles had 2 superstars, a few other really good players and a bunch of meh.  Thats not us.  

 

[mikelink45]

When I look at recent trends I see more of the bring them up young than in the past.  We have some great examples of young players on fire and taking all-star positions in the leagues.  I would love to see us look at him like Harper, Soto, Griffey, but will not be impatient if it does not work out.  

To me he will determine the timing and if he is ready let's let him move up, if not he will develop on his own time scale. 

[mnfireman]

9 hours ago, DocBauer said:

He turns 20yo February 2024 based on BF reporting. 

Still a  very, very young prospect.

Walker Jenkins DOB - 02/19/2005; 19 years old in a couple of weeks.

[umterp23]

Robin Yount - debuted at 18 with Brewers and played 20 years from '74 to '93 with the Brew Crew.  HOF career with a couple of MVP's, Gold Gloves, SS, OF, 1B, DH.  Not many like him by playing in '73 in A-ball and then making the leap in '74 and never looking back.

Fun to dream that Jenkins could replicate a similar trajectory but in reality not the same at all.  Takes a very special talent, maturity beyond years to be a "Grown up" as a 'Kid".  I like what I have read about him and he may be that type of talent.   

 

[Otaknam]

23 hours ago, Dawgzilla said:

How come Twins never get a stud to come up, permanantly, and play at very high caliber at age of 19-20??????????

Because it is very unusual. And rushing a prospect who isn’t quite ready can create its own problems when there are some inevitable bumps along the way. Teams also manage callups to manipulate time on the major league roster to maintain team control of free agency for another year.