How Walker Jenkins Could Be Pushed Off The Twins' Opening Day Roster

[Matthew Taylor]

Walker Jenkins entered the 2026 season as one of the top-20 prospects in baseball, and he did plenty to live up to that billing throughout the year. The young outfielder absolutely crushed Triple-A pitching, posting a .939 OPS across 307 plate appearances with the St. Paul Saints before earning his promotion to the Minnesota Twins on August 28. While Jenkins got off to a relatively slow start during his initial introduction to Major League pitching, things began to click during a September series against the Los Angeles Angels. From that four-game series through the end of the season, Jenkins posted a 1.015 OPS with three home runs in 40 plate appearances. It was an impressive finish for a player who looked increasingly comfortable at the plate as the season went along.

By the time the season came to an end, Jenkins had given Twins fans plenty of reasons to be excited about what the future holds. He showed off the offensive potential that made him such a highly regarded prospect, and his late-season performance certainly made a strong case that he belongs in the Major Leagues. Heading into the offseason, it would be easy to pencil Jenkins into a starting outfield spot for 2027 and assume that his place on the Opening Day roster is all but guaranteed.

Yet, despite everything Jenkins accomplished in 2026, there is a very real possibility that he could begin the 2027 season in Triple-A. That might sound crazy when considering his prospect pedigree and the way he finished the season, but the possibility has less to do with Jenkins himself and more to do with the way Minnesota's roster is constructed. There are some difficult decisions ahead for the Twins in the outfield, and one of them could involve temporarily sending their young phenom back to St. Paul.

Looking at the projected outfield, there are three players who appear to be locks for the Twins' Opening Day roster. Byron Buxton will obviously have a starting spot, while Luke Keaschall and Emmanuel Rodriguez should also be in the mix. Rodriguez is particularly important to this discussion because he is out of minor league options and would need to be on the Major League roster to avoid being exposed to waivers. That leaves two additional outfield spots if the Twins decide to carry five outfielders, with Walker Jenkins and Alan Roden currently representing the most obvious internal candidates.

The problem is that both Jenkins and Roden are left-handed hitters. Certainly, the Twins could decide to roll with both players and enter the season with an outfield consisting of Buxton, Keaschall and Jenkins as starters, with Rodriguez and Roden providing depth off the bench. However, that would leave Minnesota with two left-handed outfielders on the bench and continue a roster construction problem that has plagued this organization for years. The Twins have consistently struggled to find a legitimate right-handed power bat capable of providing some punch off the bench, particularly when opposing managers bring in left-handed relievers late in games. Carrying two left-handed outfielders as reserves would do little to address that weakness.

For that reason, I think there is a good chance the Twins make finding a right-handed outfielder one of their priorities this offseason. It is a roster need that has gone unaddressed for far too long, and adding a player who can provide some power against left-handed pitching would give the team another weapon late in games. It doesn't necessarily need to be a major free-agent acquisition, either. The Twins could look for an affordable veteran who can handle a reserve role while giving the lineup a different look when needed.

Assuming Minnesota does bring in a right-handed outfielder, the projected group suddenly becomes a little more crowded. Buxton, Keaschall, Rodriguez and the new addition would occupy four of the five available spots, leaving one final opening between Jenkins and Roden. At first glance, that decision would seem incredibly easy. Jenkins is the higher-ceiling prospect, is significantly younger and just demonstrated that he can be productive against Major League pitching. Why would the Twins send him back to Triple-A in favor of Roden?

There is actually a reasonable argument for considering it. Roden finished the 2026 season on an encouraging note, slashing .381/.471/.571 over his final 16 games. He will also be 27 years old when the 2027 season begins, and next year represents his final minor league option season. Minnesota traded for Roden because the organization believes there is something worth developing, and the team needs to find out what it has in the young outfielder. Leaving him in Triple-A for another season would do little to accomplish that.

Jenkins, meanwhile, is only 21 years old. While he certainly has a strong argument for an Opening Day roster spot, the Twins could make the case that another stretch of development in Triple-A would benefit him more than it would Roden. Jenkins already has significant experience at that level, but another month or two of consistent at-bats wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for a player who is still so early in his professional career. Roden has accumulated more than 1,500 minor league plate appearances, and the organization has to start determining whether he can translate his production into a consistent Major League role before his final option year disappears.

The Twins have to consider more than simply putting their five most talented outfielders on the Opening Day roster. If the organization wants to add a right-handed bench bat while also finding out what it has in Roden, there might not be enough room for everybody. Believe it or not, even after the way he finished 2026, Walker Jenkins could find himself back in Triple-A when the 2027 season begins.

What do you think? Should the Twins prioritize getting Walker Jenkins into the Opening Day lineup, or would it make sense to give Alan Roden another opportunity while Jenkins gets a little more seasoning in Triple-A? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

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[thelanges5]

Discouraging

[Nashvilletwin]

This article might as well be titled “Why the Sun Might Rise in the West Tomorrow Morning”

What is going on with our TD staff?   We get this drivel today. Yesterday it was suggesting re-signing Jeffers to a four year $75MM deal to play catcher for four years was one or our top options.  No clue.

[Patzky]

Assumes that 1) Buxton is ready to start the season. He might be if it starts in May or June. 2) Roden isn't switched to 1B or Keaschall to DH 3) Larnach is gone

[nova_twins]

Well here's the thing: there is literally a zero percent chance Jenkins starts the season in AAA.

Not 10%. Not 1%. Not 0.01%. 

Absolute 0, 0 degrees Kelvin, utterly impossible.

This article is facially absurd and should be deleted. 

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

How could he be? The FO is dumber than we give them credit for. 

[MinnInPa]

you are off your rocker

[DJL44]

Is Twins Daily predicting that they sign Randy Arozarena or Seiya Suzuki because those are the only two outfielders I could see keeping Jenkins in AAA.

[mluebker]

If Keaschall—with his iron glove and weak arm—is starting in the outfield ahead of Jenkins—a true outfielder—next spring, someone needs to be fired.

I get that the Twins want Keaschall’s bat in the lineup—need it—so get him as much time as possible at first during spring training.

He’s not a DH—more like a top-of-the-order guy who can generate some excitement on the basepaths—and that’s the only position left where his defensive weaknesses could be mitigated.

He’s 2027’s Royce Lewis, but much more reliable at the plate. I just hope they realize it early on.

[nicksaviking]

21 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Is Twins Daily predicting that they sign Randy Arozarena or Seiya Suzuki because those are the only two outfielders I could see keeping Jenkins in AAA.

Those are two of the only free agents I'd be interested in this winter.

But as much as I have been looking forward to Emmanuel Rodriguez, he's at the top of my list to include in a package to get a starting pitcher. I'd rather not fart around with his lack of options.

So Jenkins stays anyway.

[tony&rodney]

The dysfunction of the Twins front office in the last ten years along with whatever it is that the Pohlads do is being encouraged by this article.

It is not a secret that Walker Jenkins needs to improve as a major league player. Nobody knows the specifics more than Walker himself. There is nothing left for him in AAA. If the Twins somehow see things similarly to the author, there are teams willing to trade for Walker Jenkins. 

Tomorrow we will read that Kaelen Culpepper still can benefit from some additional minor league seasoning.

Every day that Zoll sits on his hands in November increases the risk of a discouraging  roster in 2027. 

[Jasper]

One of the lefthanded outfielders will be traded for pitching, probably Roden.

[Rosterman]

Only is they want to play the service time game and get a 4th year or arbitration. The Twins have no shortage of outfielders. Mendez and Gonzalez are still rostered. Martin Larnach Wallner need decisions. Kriedler and Clemens can play in a pinch. They need a first baseman. At worst make him Roden or Keaschall.

[tony&rodney]

4 minutes ago, Jasper said:

One of the lefthanded outfielders will be traded for pitching, probably Roden.

While that seems like a legitimate idea, I cannot think of a deal that is Roden for  ...... (fill in the blank). Who out there has an idea of a pitcher coming back with Alan Roden (or Emmanuel Rodriguez) going out?

My idea, much panned, was to trade Ober and Roden for Lawlar. I would add Larnach or Sands if it made a difference and Arizona was keen. That does not bring back a pitcher though.

[MackMan]

I don't completely dislike this article, I just don't think its a good one. I get it, the season is over and there isn't much moving due to the impending lockout and y'all are trying to keep the website active. But this isn't it. Frankly, I think the Twins should keep him up unless he really starts to struggle. But if he can show a little resemblance of what he ended the season on, he's looking at hardware to end the year. 

I think the best option we can do is to make sure that Jenkins and Rodriguez get as much Lefty pitcher exposure as possible over the coming months or in ST. That way we don't need to worry about platooning either of them. Keaschall will be our everyday DH and spell in the LF/RF as needed. Personally, I think this is the season the FO has the talk with Buxton about moving to RF to help save his legs. That opens up CF to Jenkins, LF to Emma/Keaschall, and RF to Buxton/Emma. The FO needs to see that they have to put the best lineup on the field and Buxton being moved is what is best for the team. When Jenkins needs a day off, Buck can move back to CF. 

[Riverbrian]

The article talks about a very real possibility. Jenkins could very well end up starting the season in AAA. Unless they immediately change how they have done things for the past 3 years. 

The article has no mention of the immediate threat. His name is Austin Martin. 

There is no recent evidence that the Twins will not roster Austin Martin because someone has to take the left handed hitters out of the lineup when a left hander is on the mound. The Twins have been consistent doing this sort of thing for the past 3 years.    

We have three locks... Buxton, Keaschall and Emma. Someone is going to have to handcuff to Emma. That would be Martin. Now you have 4 spots locked. 

Once that decision is made and they will make that decision based on how they have approached roster construction for the past 3 years... unless they immediately change how they have done things.  

That leaves the 5th outfield spot. Jenkins, Larnach, Wallner or Roden are all left handed. DH is now a possibility with Bell gone. They could give that spot to Larnach because DH is now a possibility. Larnach can be handcuffed to Caratini at DH as Alex Jackson plays against left handers. Or sign a right handed infielder that can move Lewis to the DH spot against left handed pitchers. 

If anyone can't see this as a very real possibility based upon the recent years of roster construction. If anyone thinks that the Twins wouldn't platoon Jenkins if he did make the lineup hasn't been watching what the Twins do. 

I'm saying this out loud.

If the front office maintain their strict three-year pattern of platoon optimization and attempting to maximize tactical matchups, the path for Walker Jenkins to break camp in the majors becomes incredibly congested.

Martin could force Jenkins to AAA to start the year. Jenkins becomes the call up when Emma gets hurt and Martin will attach to him. Gonzalez becomes the call up when Martin or Keaschall or Buxton gets hurt. 

We are only having this conversation because the Twins are going to staff 3 right handed outfielders despite having 20 left handed better options.     

[Blyleven2011]

Jenkins has a chance to be a rookie of the year candidate if he starts the season on opening day , if he wins rookie of the year the twins would receive an extra draft pick …

Evaluation of players from the FO personnel has been very skeptic in past seasons releasing better talent and they leave and go on to have results with another team … 

under falvey and baldelli , I noticed that the AAA talent they would bring up to the major leagues would struggle , is that the players fault or the coaching at the major leagues , taking another step up at the hardest level is difficult , our manager of the past and the future need to realize that they need continue the development at the major league level , the AAA talent is there but it hasn’t transformed into quality MLB Players , you never hear the players all that often say this coach helped me with this adjustment or that adjustment , the coaches , manager and FO need to take the talent from AAA and keep developing them at the MLB level , I just haven’t seen this in the past , hopefully we will see some changes  ( listen to other teams players praise their coaching and even their other players on the same team that help in their development at MLB level  ) 

Who’s the better player with upside , Jenkins ,  rodriquez or roden , when will the twins FO personnel start believing in the their top prospects to play them at the major league level …

What a waste of talent if you don’t develop them the right way …

I could go on and on because this organization has been a train wreck …

 

[Twins GFP]

Somebody please tell me how you can have an article about the Twins 2027 outfield and not even mention Trevor Larnach? No "we expect him to be traded" or "he should be playing DH". 

He played 110+ games in LF with a 120 OPS+ and he doesn't even get mentioned. Simply amazing!

[DJL44]

13 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I noticed that the AAA talent they would bring up to the major leagues would struggle

That is the most common outcome for players called up to MLB for the first time across all teams.

[bean5302]

If he is injured.

If the Twins need to fire Zoll even more than they already do.

Those are the two ways.

[djvang]

Any projection that includes Buxton as anything more than a part time player is wishful thinking. He's played 100+ games only three times in his career. 

[Cris E]

He could suck, you know.

People are acting like his first two weeks didn't happen last summer.  Just because of his hot month you don't get to assume he's a lock for RoY.  If he doesn't hit in the spring and he's got an option he's going to St Paul.  

Larger point: catastrophizing makes for dumb click-bait. Please do better. 

[jmlease1]

It's certainly possible, but seems unlikely. There's not really much for Jenkins left to learn in AAA, so that would just be an excuse to cover another decision. I suppose it's possible they keep Larnach (I think that's a poor use of resources, especially on a guy who crapped the bed after nearly being traded) and with Roden also on the roster they'd be seriously overloaded (again) with LF corner OFs.

But it's notable that Rodriguez doesn't have the rough splits, historically, you see with so many LF hitters; unlike Trevor Larnach or Matt Wallner, Rodriguez has some track record of success against LHP and shouldn't automatically be presumed to need a platoon partner. (MLB is of course different than the minors, so you don't know for sure) Makes it easier to roster both Jenkins and Roden in the OF.

Would we be better off with a RH version of Roden? yes indeedy. But it wouldn't be a disaster. A bigger disaster would be adding a marginal RH outfielder just to have a RH OF and not rebalance the roster better. It's also notable that the Twins have had an opportunity to make this kind of move over and over and have passed on it time and again; why should this year be any different since people on this site keep telling me Zoll is really just Falvey Jr...

I think we can handle an OF rotation of Keaschall, Buxton, Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Roden. There's probably room on the roster for a RH OF if they can also play 1B in order to cover Clemens against LHP, because much like Larnach, he should never be asked to take that on; otherwise it's on Martin to try and play 2B again, and hope we can do better than Lewis with a RH 1B?

The best opportunity for improvement with the 2027 Twins is by playing Rodriguez & Jenkins a lot and them being the kind of hitters they are projected to be, and Roden needs to either have a role or get dealt. He turns 27 in like 6 hours, so what exactly are we waiting for? (I remain offended by the Outman experiment)

[farmerguychris]

It doesn't scare me that he may not make the opening day roster - its only a matter of time before an injury takes away one of our MLB outfielders and then it will be his turn to show us we should never send him back down.  

[Exiled in Illinois]

C.mon, barring something catastrophic, Jenkins is on opening day roster.

Twins will have a right handed outfielder as 5th outhfielder.  Won't be a veteran power bat signed as free agent.  Twins can't afford that luxury.

[Jeff K]

Unless Jenkins lays an absolute egg in spring training (or is injured), he starts the season in Minneapolis.

[nova_twins]

28 minutes ago, Cris E said:

He could suck, you know.

People are acting like his first two weeks didn't happen last summer.  Just because of his hot month you don't get to assume he's a lock for RoY.  If he doesn't hit in the spring and he's got an option he's going to St Paul.  

Larger point: catastrophizing makes for dumb click-bait. Please do better. 

Nope, he's not going to St Paul. It's a complete delusion to think it's possible in any way, shape, or form. 

[Whammy]

1 hour ago, MackMan said:

Personally, I think this is the season the FO has the talk with Buxton about moving to RF to help save his legs. That opens up CF to Jenkins, LF to Emma/Keaschall, and RF to Buxton/Emma. The FO needs to see that they have to put the best lineup on the field and Buxton being moved is what is best for the team. When Jenkins needs a day off, Buck can move back to CF. 

I agree, but for slightly different reasons. 

I simply don't believe that there is an appreciable difference in wear and tear on Buxton's legs between CF and one of the corner spots.

However,,,

Given Buxton's injury history and the Twins general desire to mix him in at DH, I'd rather play Jenkins every day in CF. I don't like the idea of Buxton playing CF, then moving Jenkins to CF on days when Buxton can't go. I want a level of lineup/defensive consistency that we simply have not seen in a few years. If Buxton does need to miss extended time, replacing him in one of the corners is a lot lower bar and gives us more options than trying to fill in at CF.

[DJL44]

52 minutes ago, djvang said:

Any projection that includes Buxton as anything more than a part time player is wishful thinking. He's played 100+ games only three times in his career. 

Same for Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez 

[DJL44]

4 minutes ago, Whammy said:

I don't like the idea of Buxton playing CF, then moving Jenkins to CF on days when Buxton can't go

Then don’t. Play Rodriguez in CF when Buxton doesn’t.