Minnesota Twins No. 1 Prospect is Finally Back

The Minnesota Twins selected Walker Jenkins with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. In the two years since, he has blossomed into a consensus top 10 MLB prospect. Now 20 years old, Jenkins’ biggest professional struggle so far is a familiar one around these parts. Staying healthy.

Walker has been available for just two games this season, with his last action coming back on April 6, when he opened the regular season for Double-A Wichita. Unfortunately, an ankle injury that was first reported as a problem in Spring Training eventually landed him a cortisone shot and two months on the injured list.

Walker Jenkins starting rehab assignment

Fast Forward to today, June 3, and Walker Jenkins is scheduled to be in the Minnesota Twins’ rookie league lineup, where he will finally begin his long-awaited rehab assignment.

According to Dan Hayes (The Athletic), Jenkins was supposed to start his comeback yesterday, but the FCL Twins’ game was rained out. They have a doubleheader scheduled for today vs the FCL Rays. The first game is scheduled for 9 a.m. CDT this morning.

Walker Jenkins (ankle) was supposed to make his return today but the #MNTwins FCL game was rained out.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) June 3, 2025

This year, Jenkins will be more than four years younger than the average player age in the (Double-A) Texas League. Last summer was Walker Jenkins’ first full professional season.

The Minnesota Twins’ prospect batted an impressive .282 with a .833 OPS across four levels, ending his 2024 minor league journey at Double-A Wichita, where he will eventually land when activated off the minor league injured list.

When available, Minnesota Twins top prospect producing beyond his age

Across 110 total minor league games to start his young professional career, Jenkins is slashing .299/.415/.471 with 27 doubles, 8 triples, and 9 home runs. He has also stolen 23-of-29 attempted bases and owns a 63/65 K/BB.

The North Carolina kid is a true five-tool talent who projects as a regular MLB All-Star caliber player. He may eventually have to move off center field, but he’s pretty damn good out there right now.

Walker Jenkins? More like Runner Jenkins because he's too quick with it 🏃‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/i7sgbdNk52

— Cedar Rapids Kernels (@CRKernels) August 7, 2024

Double it and give it to the next person! Two doubles already for Walker Jenkins tonight.pic.twitter.com/gitBr5ML7R

— Cedar Rapids Kernels (@CRKernels) August 7, 2024

On Monday, the MN Twins second-rated (and consensus MLB top 25) prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez hit the injured list for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. That makes the news that Walker Jenkins’ return even more welcomed.

It’s possible that Jenkins plays well enough to force the Twins into a promotion to Triple-A St. Paul, by the end of the this season. He has the talent and ability to make that a reality. But really, the most important thing is that he stays healthy and gains experience.

Related: Another Top MN Twins Prospect Hits the IL

Because by 2026, and certainly in 2027, Rodriguez and Jenkins should be contributing in the big leagues. Hopefully, in that time, both guys blossom into outfield cornerstones of the Minnesota Twins organization for a long time to come.