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

Congratulations to Walker. He is putting up.

Thanks for the great news to brighten our baseball day!

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. 

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

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.  

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.

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...

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.

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. 

Is Cedar Rapids done?

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.

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. 

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.

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.