Top MN Twins Prospect Gets All Clear

The Minnesota Twins have little to play for the rest of the season. That doesn’t mean individual performances can’t be something to focus on. Byron Buxton is having the best season of his career and the arrow continues to point up.

On the farm there are plenty of players looking to wrap up their seasons on a positive note. Walker Jenkins will make his CHS Field debut for Triple-A St. Paul Tuesday. He’ll be joined by fellow top prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez, who is returning from the injured list.

Emmanuel Rodriguez back for St. Paul

If there has been a constant for Emmanuel Rodriguez during his minor league career it has been being injured. He has missed time with thumb, hip, and muscle issues this season. Now he returns to Triple-A St. Paul for the first time since July 12.

Rodriguez played five games for the Low-A Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on a rehab assignment last week. Their season ended on Sunday. He went 4-for-18 with an 8/4 K/BB.

Across 43 games for the Saints this season, Jenkins owns a .254/.411/.428 slash line. He has seven doubles, a triple, and five home runs. A sneaky-fast runner, base stealing is also part of his game. The approach at the dish can be too patient at times, and that leaves him in tough counts without an ability to do damage.

Despite all of the starts and stops, Rodriguez will be a candidate for Minnesota’s Opening Day roster in 2026. He is just 22 years old and already on the 40-man roster. He’s left-handed, which is redundant amongst the Twins outfield, but he can play all three spots.

Related: Byron Buxton Hot Streak Has Him Frustrated

The Saints have just 12 games left this season, with the first half coming at home. Rodriguez must stay healthy and productive through that stretch. Then it’s into the offseason and a hope to build for next year.

Rodriguez was ranked as the Twins third-best prospect by MLB Pipeline earlier this summer. He is a big reason as to why the system is considered the second-best in baseball.

Walker Jenkins debut incoming too

Although the Saints are going to miss the playoffs and have had a tough season, this week is an exciting one in Lowertown. Walker Jenkins is making his Triple-A home debut, and will be just miles from the stadium he intends to play at next season.

CHS Field is a gorgeous ballpark, and the weather this week looks fantastic as well. The Saints lineup may never have been better than it will be for the final homestand this season.

Jenkins is set to talk with the media following batting practice on Tuesday as well. That introduction comes after he just launched his first Triple-A home run on Sunday night.