Walker Jenkins

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

Walker Jenkins
Jenkins in 2022
Minnesota Twins
Outfielder
Born: (2005-02-19) February 19, 2005 (age 19) Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Left Throws: Right

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] He was promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels in late July.^[18]

References

1. "Walker Jenkins' talent, trust put South Brunswick into NCHSAA 3A baseball title series". Wilmington Star-News.
2. Writer, Michael Paul, Staff (June 29, 2022). "South's Jenkins named MEC Baseball Player of Year". The State Port Pilot.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. "South Brunswick High School student-athlete named Gatorade NC baseball player of the year". June 3, 2022.
4. "Jenkins is N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year". The State Port Pilot. June 8, 2022.
5. "Clark, Jenkins discuss PDP League, Team USA and more". MLB.com.
6. "Jenkins selected to USA Baseball training camp". The State Port Pilot. July 20, 2022.
7. "Jenkins to play in High School All-American baseball game". The State Port Pilot. July 13, 2022.
8. "1 on 1 with South Brunswick's Walker Jenkins". September 16, 2022.
9. "Wilmington Star-News Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts".
10. "ESPN ranks South Brunswick's Walker Jenkins No. 1 baseball player born in 2005". Wilmington Star-News.
11. Writer, Michael Paul, Staff (November 22, 2022). "South baseball senior Jenkins signs with UNC Tar Heels". The State Port Pilot.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
12. "Senior outfielder Walker Jenkins signs a letter of intent with UNC Baseball". Yahoo Sports. November 26, 2022.
13. "Twins select high school slugger Walker Jenkins with 5th overall pick in MLB Draft" Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
14. "Twins sign top draft choice Walker Jenkins for $7.1 million bonus". startribune.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
15. "Jenkins plays walk-off hero for Mighty Mussels".
16. "How did the Twins' top 10 minor-league prospects do this season?". Star Tribune. 19 September 2023.
17. "Mighty Mussels Announce 2024 Opening Night Roster".
18. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-walker-jenkins-promoted-to-high-a/

External links

• Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)