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BREAKING: Twins to Call Up Top Prospect Walker Jenkins

Jamie Cameron
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Jamie Cameron Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

Jamie Cameron

Twins Daily Contributor
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Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

The Twins are calling up top prospect Walker Jenkins, sources have confirmed to Twins Daily. The No. 1 prospect in the organization and (arguably) one of the top 10 prospects in baseball will join the team at Target Field on Friday, with the Twins' postseason hopes on life support entering a crucial series against the division-leading Chicago White Sox. Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com broke the news first.

Jenkins, 21, joins the team despite navigating recurring injuries in his minor-league career. In 69 games in 2026 for Triple-A St. Paul, Jenkins managed a .308/.407/.532 line, with 32 extra-base hits, a 13.3% walk rate, and a stellar 15.4% strikeout rate.

The promotion is likely to come as a corresponding move to Byron Buxton hitting the IL, after Buxton left Tuesday’s game in West Sacramento with an as-yet-unspecified hip injury. After the Twins declined to add Jenkins amid a torrid offensive performance in August, injury has finally forced a debut for one of the game's top prospects.

Jenkins was the fifth overall selection in a loaded 2023 draft class. The Twins were the biggest beneficiary of the inaugural MLB Draft Lottery the previous December, vaulting into the top five selections of what was considered a five-player draft. Jenkins was selected after Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, Wyatt Langford, and recent MLB debutant Max Clark. Jenkins's promotion will spark particular excitement, as it comes on the heels of the recent promotion of fellow top-100 prospect Kaelen Culpepper, who was called up on August 7 and has settled in as the Twins’ regular shortstop.

The timing of his promotion is significant, too. Jenkins can no longer amass 45 days of service time before the end of the season (that deadline passed more than a week ago), and thanks to waiting an extra handful of days, the team can also promote him now without worrying about whether he’ll reach 130 at-bats. Even if he plays every day, he won’t do so, so he’ll retain rookie eligibility heading into 2027 and could net Minnesota a Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) draft pick if he wins the Rookie of the Year Award or finishes in the top three in MVP voting before becoming arbitration-eligible.

Jenkins has a well-rounded skill set highlighted by elite bat-to-ball skills and excellent swing decisions, giving him a strong on-base floor to accompany above-average speed and defense in center field. Despite some prospect fatigue setting in during his journey up the minor-league ladder, Jenkins has retained strong positioning on national lists, being featured as the No. 4 overall prospect on FanGraphs and No. 10 phenom at Baseball America after midseason updates.

Jenkins joins a crowded outfield picture, with the Twins retaining several other left-handed options on the 40-man roster. In the immediate future, though, he’ll be the most anticipated Twins prospect to debut since Buxton. He also comes up to a team that desperately needs a spark. Whether he's able to deliver that or not, this marks the full arrival of a new era of Twins baseball.


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Cris E Draft Eligible

Cris E

Verified Member
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No pressure kid, just replace Byron Buxton, lead the team into the second round of the playoffs, then avoid a labor shutdown in 2027 so you can win RoY.  Pay no attention to the Eeyores at Twins Daily, they're going to hate on you no matter how you do. (But especially if you show any sign of struggling.)

RpR Cedar Rapids Kernels

RpR

Verified Member
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7 minutes ago, Dman said:

It was always just a matter of time. Congrats to Jenkins for forcing their hand.  He has been looking like a star player recently. Let's hope it translates at the next level.

Forcing -  LOL.  He forced nothing, Keaschall's glove was a gift to him.

Matthew Trueblood Cedar Rapids Kernels

Matthew Trueblood

Twins Daily Editor
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3 minutes ago, Cris E said:

No pressure kid, just replace Byron Buxton, lead the team into the second round of the playoffs, then avoid a labor shutdown in 2027 so you can win RoY.  Pay no attention to the Eeyores at Twins Daily, they're going to hate on you no matter how you do. (But especially if you show any sign of struggling.)

It's true, though the Tiggers of Twins Daily are just as dangerous imo.

MikeNC Prep Ball

MikeNC

Verified Member
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8 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

Based on so many comments here just today - I guess I better buy my playoff tickets.  Seriously - I hope he does amazing things for us.... but he's still just one man.

So . . was  . ..Kirby.  Buckle up!!

weitz41 First Round Pick

weitz41

Verified Member
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It may be a crowded OF but not with legit CFers. It was overdue. They needed to play the years of control card/manipulation of service time. Emma Sept 1st. Kreidler to AAA and Ross called up. 4 games back of a WC, 6.5 behind the White Sox time to shake things up. Who's coming off the 40 man/active roster to make this happen? Buck to the 10 day doesn't clear out a spot does it?

Cris E Draft Eligible

Cris E

Verified Member
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15 minutes ago, RpR said:

Forcing -  LOL.  He forced nothing, Keaschall's glove was a gift to him.

Keaschall is still going to be playing. Buxton's injury is what finally gave Jenkins a spot to play and that's the only reason he's up.  If you are tired of hearing "Roden isn't hitting because he only gets 10 AB a week" then you would have gone mad watching Jenkins sit behind Larnach/Buxton/Keaschall for days at a time.

nicksaviking MVP

nicksaviking

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted

I'm happy for the promotion, but I wish it would have happened when the clubhouse was flush with playoff enthusiasm instead of whatever more dour tone is likely crashing the party now.

Maybe it won't matter and he doesn't feed off of teammates' energy, they feed off of his.

Matthew Trueblood Cedar Rapids Kernels

Matthew Trueblood

Twins Daily Editor
Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I'm happy for the promotion, but I wish it would have happened when the clubhouse was flush with playoff enthusiasm instead of whatever more dour tone is likely crashing the party now.

Maybe it won't matter and he doesn't feed off of teammates' energy, they feed off of his.

Culpepper and Jenkins can feed off each other, if nothing else, right? 

RpR Cedar Rapids Kernels

RpR

Verified Member
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6 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Imagine being this unaware 

Tell me oh qwhvi331tyxywywn7qg013ny7yi3m7wyrct3v3fq

USAFChief GOAT

USAFChief

Twins Daily Contributor
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Posted
3 minutes ago, PuckettPond said:

 Like the adjustment when the majority of Twin fans moved out of their mother's house then adjusting to drinking cold milk.

Let us know when you do 

RpR Cedar Rapids Kernels

RpR

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, Matthew Trueblood said:

Culpepper and Jenkins can feed off each other, if nothing else, right? 

They know each other well, that is probably true.

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