Walker Jenkins Explained

Walker Jenkins
Team:Minnesota Twins
Position:Outfielder
Birth Date:19 February 2005
Birth Place:Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Right

Walker Clay Jenkins (born February 19, 2005) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Minnesota Twins organization.

Amateur career

Jenkins attended South Brunswick High School in Southport, North Carolina, where he played baseball.[1] As a junior in 2022, he batted .527 with ten home runs, forty RBIs, 13 doubles and 18 stolen bases.[2] He was named the Gatorade North Carolina Baseball Player of the Year.[3] [4] That summer, he participated in the Prospect Development Pipeline League at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.[5] [6] He was also selected to play in the High School All-American Game at Dodger Stadium.[7]

Jenkins entered his senior baseball season in 2023 as a top prospect for the upcoming MLB draft.[8] [9] Jenkins finished his senior year with a .480 batting average and 32 runs scored.[10] He committed and signed to play college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team.[11] [12]

Professional career

Jenkins was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the first round, with the fifth overall pick, of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft.[13] On July 25, 2023, Jenkins signed with the Twins for an above-slot deal worth $7.14 million.[14]

Jenkins made his professional debut with the Florida Complex League Twins and was later promoted to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.[15] Over 26 games, he batted .362 with three home runs and 22 RBIs.[16] He was assigned to Fort Myers to open the 2024 season.[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Walker Jenkins' talent, trust put South Brunswick into NCHSAA 3A baseball title series. Wilmington Star-News.
  2. Web site: South's Jenkins named MEC Baseball Player of Year. Michael Paul, Staff. Writer. June 29, 2022. The State Port Pilot.
  3. Web site: South Brunswick High School student-athlete named Gatorade NC baseball player of the year. June 3, 2022.
  4. Web site: Jenkins is N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. June 8, 2022. The State Port Pilot.
  5. Web site: Clark, Jenkins discuss PDP League, Team USA and more. MLB.com.
  6. Web site: Jenkins selected to USA Baseball training camp. July 20, 2022. The State Port Pilot.
  7. Web site: Jenkins to play in High School All-American baseball game. July 13, 2022. The State Port Pilot.
  8. Web site: 1 on 1 with South Brunswick's Walker Jenkins. September 16, 2022.
  9. Web site: Wilmington Star-News Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts .
  10. Web site: ESPN ranks South Brunswick's Walker Jenkins No. 1 baseball player born in 2005. Wilmington Star-News.
  11. Web site: South baseball senior Jenkins signs with UNC Tar Heels. Michael Paul, Staff. Writer. November 22, 2022. The State Port Pilot.
  12. Web site: Senior outfielder Walker Jenkins signs a letter of intent with UNC Baseball. November 26, 2022. Yahoo Sports.
  13. https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/twins/twins-select-high-school-slugger-walker-jenkins-with-5th-overall-pick-in-mlb-draft "Twins select high school slugger Walker Jenkins with 5th overall pick in MLB Draft"
  14. Web site: Twins sign top draft choice Walker Jenkins for $7.1 million bonus. July 25, 2023. startribune.com. en.
  15. Web site: Jenkins plays walk-off hero for Mighty Mussels .
  16. Web site: How did the Twins' top 10 minor-league prospects do this season? . . 19 September 2023 .
  17. Web site: Mighty Mussels Announce 2024 Opening Night Roster .