And Now For Some Good News: Walker Jenkins Promoted to Double-A Wichita

[Eric Blonigen]

With the Cedar Rapids Kernels season ending today, Walker Jenkins was called up to Double-A Wichita for a taste of upper minors competition for the last week of the season. This is noteworthy for three key reasons. Read on to learn why. 

Image courtesy of David Malamut (@MWLArchives on X)

Walker Jenkins was drafted out of South Brunswick High School in North Carolina just over a year ago in the 2023 amateur draft. With the Twins picking fifth due to a stroke of good fortune in the first year of the current draft lottery system, the draft class was loaded with five elite prospects, any of whom would likely have gone first overall in other years.

With their first pick, the Twins lucked into drafting a potential future face of the franchise. Jenkins is a true five-tool player, plays a solid center field, and all he has done since being drafted is hit. His promotion speaks volumes about his level of talent, his approach at the plate, and his ability to impact the parent club sooner than anyone expected. 

His situation is reason for hope for three reasons: performance, age, and offseason flexibility.

Performance
Since being drafted, Jenkins has played in 101 games across three levels of competition. He’s put up a .902 OPS, and has hit roughly the .300/.400/.500 triple slash of an elite hitter. He strikes out less than he walks, and has enough speed to steal 10 or so bases a year. About a third of his hits go for extra bases, and he’s been a doubles machine. While having a solid pull-power stroke, he’s also quite capable of using all fields. 

During his stint at High-A Cedar Rapids, he’s been 48% better than the competition with an .869 OPS. His walk rate was elite, at 10.9%. So was his 15% strikeout rate. His overall numbers are even more impressive when considering it takes time to adjust to the competition at a new level, and once he has hit his stride, he’s put up video game results.

Age and trajectory
The best part? He’s done all this while playing against guys that average three years older than him. By finishing the season at AA Wichita, Jenkins is now set up to possibly begin next season there as well. Should he continue his trajectory, that puts him in line for a promotion to Triple-A Saint Paul at some point next season, and being called up next September is a real possibility, assuming performance and need.

Should that occur, he would be the youngest player to debut for the Twins in over a decade, when Jorge Polanco got a cup of coffee in 2014, also at 20. It’s now reasonable to expect that Jenkins can be an everyday big-league player by 2026. For someone drafted out of high school, that developmental speed is stunning. 

What he means for the team this offseason
His advancement — and that of Emmanuel Rodriguez — also likely changes some perceived offseason needs. Much ink has been spilled over Byron Buxton and his propensity for injuries, and having high-end center field prospects in the upper minors reduces the urgency to sign a major-league backup in the offseason. Knowing there is limited payroll flexibility, Jenkins’ ascent gives the front office the ability to spend what they do have — money or prospect capital — in the areas of greatest need rather than on a backup. Imagining a 2026 outfield of Jenkins, Rodriguez, and Buxton is something to dream on, and today’s news brings that future one step closer to reality. 

Over the past few weeks, it’s felt like not much has gone right for the Twins, but this bit of good news provides a silver lining to the clouds surrounding this weekend sweep at the hands of the Royals. 

How do you feel about this news? Do you think it’s realistic for Jenkins to be called up next season? Comment below!

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[tony&rodney]

Congratulations to Walker. He is putting up.

[FlyingFinn]

Thanks for the great news to brighten our baseball day!

[bean5302]

Glad Jenkins has made up for his lost start to the season and struggles at the plate early. I don't think this makes any impact on expectations. Jenkins on the Twins before the very end of 2025 would be a major stretch in my opinion, but 2026 was always the plan. Emmanuel Rodriguez could be with Minnesota next year, but he's just lost so much time it feels like it'd be pretty questionable to give him a permanent job in the outfield out of the gate.

The biggest surprise impacts to the Twins might be Trevor Larnach's major revised approach making him a legitimate potential corner OF. I didn't see that coming at all. I figured he's stick as a quasi-4th corner outfielder injury replacement depth option. Also, Payton Eeles coming out of Indy ball and looking like an absolutely legit potential every day player. 

The Twins still desperately need a full time starting caliber outfielder who can cover center field DaShawn Keirsey has about a 0.1% chance of being that guy as far as I'm concerned. I was hoping Rodriguez would be able to force his way up onto the roster for the final couple months of the season, but the thumb really side tracked that.

[Ghost of Kirby Puckett]

I've felt Jenkins was never going be a normal case study for promotions. I think most on here consider him an elite talent, but if it means something coming from a former player, he is more than that. This is a Bryce Harper level of talent. It isn't just the physical tools either. He has what I call the Jerry Rice mind set. Ask Jerry when he felt he had finally arrived, he'll tell you never! That's Walker.

Off the charts makeup to go with his elite skill level is when you get guys who don't conform to the normal minor league schedule. Once his in game power catches up to his hit tool, watch out! And the last couple months that power has been showing, frequently, forcing me to acknowledge he will be that rare player who is going to arrive much sooner than a pessimistic fan base is willing to allow themselves to believe. He is very special, and the only thing that will stop him imo is potential injuries. 

[mikelink45]

Quote

Imagining a 2026 outfield of Jenkins, Rodriguez, and Buxton is something to dream on, and today’s news brings that future one step closer to reality. 

I like it Jenkins, Rodriguez and Wallner.

[Whitey333]

I agree having Wallner.  It is time to dump Buxton.  What a drain he puts on this team.  We have a good system of outfielder and on the current club.  Buxton isn't even a luxury anymore.  He's a hindrance

[TopGunn#22]

I think Twins fans have to be aware that as Walker Jenkins and and Emmanuel Rodriguez climb closer to the major league roster, and as guys like Wallner and Larnach continue to develop and HIT, you may be seeing a very different outfield for the Twins in 2025, but certainly by 2026.

One of the positives of 2024 has been the bounce back of Buxton.  He's stayed "relatively" healthy.  It DOES matter that our future outfield bats are all LH hitters.  Buxton is that lone RH bat in a sea of lefties. 

But both E-Rod and Jenkins can play CF.  Maybe not to the level of Buxton, but probably pretty decently.  As Twins fans, we also have to be constantly aware that our penurious owners will be endeavoring to cut payroll.  This is why Buxton's resurgent season opens the possibility for a trade. 

Buxton is not making prohibitive money for teams like the Dodgers, Yankees or Phillies.  But he IS for the Twins.  If he can come back and finish this season strongly it is certainly possible that a trade could come at the deadline next season or in the 2025 off-season. 

I'm NOT advocating this.  But if E-Rod and Jenkins keep wowing in the minors and Wallner and Larnach keep hitting in the majors a trade of Buxton is a distinct possibility to a big market team that would just shrug at a $15 million dollar per year price tag.  I would speculate that the goal in a trade would be to get a young SP prospect and/or a young catching prospect. 

The benefit to the Twins and Twins fans is that if Buxton stays healthy (or at least is "healthier" ) we get the benefit of seeing him play well for the Twins and possibly see a nice return in a trade.  99 out of 100 Twins fans don't want to see this happen.  But this is how the Pohlad's operate and it is a distinct possibility.  

[SF Twins Fan]

Exciting news for sure.  After a short adjustment to High A, he's played very well the past three weeks.  If he's ready, hopefully he starts next season at AA and dominates.

I'm assuming the leg injury at the beginning of the season was still slowing him down when he initially came back.  Now that he's healthy, he's showing what his potential truly is.

[Seth Stohs]

Six more games, the challenge of a new level... but I don't think this tells us where he begins 2025. He could go back to Cedar Rapids for a bit, or he could start in Wichita. 

[IndianaTwin]

1 hour ago, TopGunn#22 said:

....Buxton is not making prohibitive money for teams like the Dodgers, Yankees or Phillies.  But he IS for the Twins.  If he can come back and finish this season strongly it is certainly possible that a trade could come at the deadline next season or in the 2025 off-season. 

I'm NOT advocating this.  But if E-Rod and Jenkins keep wowing in the minors and Wallner and Larnach keep hitting in the majors a trade of Buxton is a distinct possibility to a big market team that would just shrug at a $15 million dollar per year price tag.  I would speculate that the goal in a trade would be to get a young SP prospect and/or a young catching prospect. 

The benefit to the Twins and Twins fans is that if Buxton stays healthy (or at least is "healthier" ) we get the benefit of seeing him play well for the Twins and possibly see a nice return in a trade.  99 out of 100 Twins fans don't want to see this happen.  But this is how the Pohlad's operate and it is a distinct possibility.  

Buxton has a no-trade clause that would have to be bought out by someone. 

[LambchoP]

Hopefully Jenkins plays really well at AA and can start back there next year. As someone said, his biggest obstacle will probably be injuries. It seems like the norm for this organization. I just hope they don't rush him or have him start trying to play a bunch of other positions like they've done to some of our other guys. Jenkins has a good chance at being a true superstar in a few short years, IF the Twins don't screw him up...

[IndianaTwin]

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

Six more games, the challenge of a new level... but I don't think this tells us where he begins 2025. He could go back to Cedar Rapids for a bit, or he could start in Wichita. 

I agree.

Though I do wonder if the CBA rules encouraging teams to bring up their top prospects at the beginning of the year has them at least keeping that option for 2026 in their minds. That would be an argument for starting at Wichita rather than parking him in Cedar Rapids for a few weeks. There are few players for whom that's a serious consideration, but he's potentially be one of those few. 

[Ghost of Kirby Puckett]

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

Six more games, the challenge of a new level... but I don't think this tells us where he begins 2025. He could go back to Cedar Rapids for a bit, or he could start in Wichita. 

He could also be designated for the AFL which could also alter things as far as where he begins next year. If they did, and he tore it up in Arizona, I see no scenario where he doesn't start at AA.

[IndianaTwin]

5 minutes ago, Ghost of Kirby Puckett said:

He could also be designated for the AFL which could also alter things as far as where he begins next year. If they did, and he tore it up in Arizona, I see no scenario where he doesn't start at AA.

Speaking of, when do AFL participation lists get named? 

[saviking]

They want to get him more abats. That's the reason they have had him leading off. It's all about getting as many at-bats as possible. I doubt he will set the world on fire next week.

Sure hope he starts next year in AA though

[USAFChief]

Arizona Fall League. Make it so.

 

[DocBauer]

Rodriguez, Jenkins, Buxton, Wallner, Larnach, and maybe 1 of Rosario or McCusker as an extra RH option? By some time in 2026 at the latest?

Sounds really exciting to me.

[chpettit19]

I'm with others and would love to see him go to the AFL for some extra hacks. If he performs well there start him in AA next year. If he continues to perform have him be your September call-up. Then pen him into the opening day lineup in 2026 and take your extra draft pick in 2027 after he wins the Rookie of the Year.

[Ghost of Kirby Puckett]

13 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I'm with others and would love to see him go to the AFL for some extra hacks. If he performs well there start him in AA next year. If he continues to perform have him be your September call-up. Then pen him into the opening day lineup in 2026 and take your extra draft pick in 2027 after he wins the Rookie of the Year.

I really think this is what they'll do. Probably ERod also, since he missed quite a bit of time. I'd say Rosario also but I don't believe you can go two years in a row. 

[gman]

Buxton has rarely played more than the amount of a 4th outfielder. He probably starts next year as the regular centerfielder, but still only plays his usual 75-80 games. I think he has also proved he is not much of a DH. Complain and snarl as much as anyone wants to, but the team needs to plan on Buxton not being a regular in the outfield. Hopefully Jenkins, Wallner and Rodriguez prove capable regulars by 2026.

How many years does Buxton have left on his contract? 2-3?

[twinstalker]

Is Cedar Rapids done?

[Fatbat]

On 9/9/2024 at 9:50 AM, IndianaTwin said:

Buxton has a no-trade clause that would have to be bought out by someone. 

By 2027, buck will be the 5th OF’r and semi full time DH.  Besides Erod, Jenkins, Wallner and Larnauch, Ka’lai Rosario will be bopping MLB balls around target field.

[Fatbat]

Maybe Falvine are feeling the pinch to accelerate the development of some high end talent.  Ownership clearly doesn’t want to spend on expensive FA’s. Trades have been all over the success board. Some downright terrible ugly.  When these kids are ready, room will be made for them on the 26 man. 

[twinstalker]

Here's what you read into promoting Jenkins from a team that's done to a team that's just playing out the string:

They want to get him more ABs and do so vs slightly better pitching.

It's as simple as that.  For one, he's missed a chunk of the season.  For two, more games means more ready for late season, as opposed to getting used to ending his season near the beginning of September.  He might be in play for a late season call-up next year if the Twins are in it and need help.  For three, yeah, he might start next year at AA due to weather, and if so they're not going to demote him without cause.  He should at least something resembling AA pitching.

Wichita vs Cedar Rapids in early April is something weather-wise but not guaranteed to be that much.  A fictional tornado hit Kansas on May 5, 1900, after all.

[IndianaTwin]

2 hours ago, Fatbat said:

By 2027, buck will be the 5th OF’r and semi full time DH.  Besides Erod, Jenkins, Wallner and Larnauch, Ka’lai Rosario will be bopping MLB balls around target field.

If you can guarantee it, sign me up! 😀

[IndianaTwin]

16 hours ago, twinstalker said:

Is Cedar Rapids done?

They finished this past Sunday (8th). Wichita finishes the regular season this coming Sunday (15th). And St. Paul the Sunday after that (22nd). And the Twins the Sunday after that (29th). 

[Fatbat]

11 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

If you can guarantee it, sign me up! 😀

Welp, he is gonna be in his mid 30’s and has not played close to 150 games so why would that change now?  No more MAT’s and Margot’s.  The kids are ready. Kiersey Jr. can bridge commitee along with Martin when Buck is on the IL. Erod might win the CF job in March if buck is still not healthy (again). 
So thats the earliest being 3/‘25 and its a possibility that the same could be said for Jenkins in ‘26.  It sure seems like time is gonna pass Buxton by.