Walker Jenkins giving off Joe Mauer vibes for the Minnesota Twins
The Twins took walker Jenkins during the 2023 Major League Baseball draft . At fifth overall, Jenkins was among a group that was highly regarded as having five players worthy of going first overall. Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, and Wyatt Langford have all made their big league debuts.
Only Jenkins and fellow high-schooler Max Clark have yet to arrive in the majors. But that’s strictly an age/experience thing. The Twins’ top prospect mashed in his first full year of professional baseball, and was recently promoted to Double-A, at just 19-years-old.
Watch this side-by-side of Walker Jenkins’ swing, next to Joe Mauer’s, and you will quickly see why he is having so much success. The similarities are uncanny.
Of course it isn’t fair to put Hall of Fame expectations on Jenkins. That doesn’t mean his start hasn’t been incredibly noteworthy. The smooth left handed swing generates plenty of power and, just like Joe, he walked more than he struck out in 2024.
He has a patient and calculated approach at the dish. His ability to do damage against the opposition has led to his blitz up the farm system. Mauer’s swing was legendary. While Jenkins may not have built his with a Quickswing , he certainly looks he was.
Jenkins climbed to Double-A already, despite missing more than a month earlier this season, with injury. We’re talking about a kid who could very well see the big leagues next summer, at just 20-years-old. Entering next season, he may even be the No. 1 prospect in baseball.
Minnesota Twins may not have Walker Jenkins be done yet
Jenkins has played in 79 games this year . His first full professional season has resulted in a .281/.394/.442 slash line. He has hit just six home runs, but is still adding more muscle to his frame. The 44/54 K/BB ratio is incredibly impressive for such a young talent.
Due to his missed time, the Twins may opt to send Jenkins to the Arizona Fall League. MLB Pipeline recently highlighted him as the Minnesota prospect they’d most like to see there.
“Why stop now? Jenkins just got nudged up to Double-A to finish off the season, impressive for any high school draftee from the year prior. It’s even more remarkable given that he missed nearly two months with a hamstring injury to start the year and didn’t reach full-season ball until June. As a result, he’s well shy of a full season of reps at the plate, making his left-handed bat a prime candidate for extra time in the AFL.”
The Arizona Fall League would provide another test to see where Jenkins is at against stout competition. His advancement to Double-A has already allowed for some of that to take place. Since Wichita isn’t in position for the playoffs , they have just three games left before the season ends.
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