Walker Jenkins News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/walker-jenkins/ Minnesota sports, but different Mon, 08 Sep 2025 19:40:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Walker Jenkins News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/walker-jenkins/ 32 32 Top MN Twins Prospect Gets All Clear https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/emmanuel-rodriguez-completes-rehab-assignment-activated-triple-a/ Mon, 08 Sep 2025 19:38:01 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=68132 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.

]]> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:40:07 +0000 Minnesota Twins MN Twins Top Prospect Promoted Yet Again https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/walker-jenkins-promoted-triple-a-st-paul/ Mon, 25 Aug 2025 01:03:46 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=67301 The Minnesota Twins gutted their major league roster at the end of July. Most of the ten players sent packing had one year or less remaining on their contract. In return, the Twins received more prospects, transforming an already above-average farm system into one of the best in the big leagues.

One thing down on the Twins’ farm that remains the same, though, is the organization’s No. 1 prospect — 20-year-old outfielder Walker Jenkins, who Minnesota selected No. 5 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Walker Jenkins joins St. Paul Saints

There aren’t a lot of baseball players who possess the talent Jenkins does. And through 627 minor league at bats, he hasn’t disappointed, batting .303 with a .884 OPS, 17 HR, 36 SB, 111 SO and 106 BB.

And now, despite being just two years removed from his teenage draft age, Walker Jenkins has already reached Triple-A. That’s right, Minnesota’s top prospect is now just one step away from the big leagues. At 20 years and 188 days old, Jenkins is the youngest player in the International League.

Related: Unproven MN Twins Star Wants New Deal?

Jenkins is truly a five-tool player. Despite having the capability of hitting 20-plus home runs. He possesses elite speed, bat control skills, and defensive abilities.

To this point, Jenkins looks like he could stick in center field, too, depending on how long Byron Buxton stays there. Multiple outlets had Jenkins as a top five prospect coming into the 2025 season. Given the numbers he’s put up, his rank won’t be falling anytime soon.

Jenkins had the start of his season stunted due to an ankle injury. Still, it took him just 52 games at Double-A Wichita before he earned a promotion. That’s what happens when you post a .309/.426/.487 slash line (.333/.449/.524) since August 1st.

What’s next for Minnesota Twins top prospect?

The St. Paul Saints are 55-69 and, like the Twins, have no route to postseason baseball. That means Jenkins has a maximum of 24 more games left to play. The timing of his promotion coincides with a two-week road trip for St. Paul. After a stop in Toledo (against old friend Randy Dobnak), St. Paul stays close and faces the Louisville Bats.

St. Paul returns home for their final homestand on September 9 against the Columbus Clippers. By then, Jenkins will have had time to acclimate to the level and he should see significant crowds for the final six home games of the season.

Related: MLB Bringing Back Iconic Cornfield Stadium, Inviting MN Twins

With this level of runway, there is certainly an outside chance he could make the Opening Day roster for the 2026 Minnesota Twins. It’s more likely he’ll begin in Triple-A and be among the first looked at to provide a burst. However, this is an uber-talented player and putting a cap on his trajectory is pointless.

Jenkins isn’t the only top Twins prospect that should end the season in Triple-A. Wichita teammate and 2024 first round pick Kaelen Culpepper is expected to join him as well.

]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2025 21:04:04 +0000 Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Avoids Serious Injury https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/walker-jenkins-hit-by-pitch-avoids-injury/ Sat, 16 Aug 2025 00:35:14 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=66728 If the Minnesota Twins haven’t kneecapped themselves by tearing down the roster, they have seen it happen due to unfortunate injuries. That hasn’t been exclusive to the big league roster either.

On Friday it was reported young pitching prospect Charlee Soto is officially done for the season. I guess maybe that’s the trade off for fellow star pitching prospect Connor Prielipp earning a promotion to Triple-A.

No one on the farm though, which is now ranked among the best in baseball, has been hotter than Double-A hitters Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper. The former was plunked on the hand Thursday and left the game.

Walker Jenkins ok after beanball

Playing against the Springfield Cardinals, Jenkins stepped in for his second at bat of the evening. Immediately following Culpepper’s ninth Double-A blast, and 18th of the year, Jenkins took a pitch up and in that got him on the hand.

After checking in on the status of his injury, it sounds like he won’t be slowed for long. Wichita plays Springfield again on Friday, and Jenkins won’t be in the lineup. He could miss just a single game though with a couple being the likely maximum.

Checked out postgame, it was revealed that Jenkins avoided any fractures or structural issues. That’s obviously great news for a guy who started behind after a hamstring injury.

In 46 Double-A games this season, the Minnesota Twins top prospect has batted .304/.411/.480 with ten doubles, a triple, and six home runs. He has continued to show a strong level of plate discipline despite the level up, owning a 38/28 K/BB.

Jenkins owns a .916 OPS since July 1 (34 G), and a 1.023 OPS across his last 23. As mentioned, he and Culpepper (38 G .906 OPS) are tearing up the opposition for Wichita. The more they can remain in the lineup, the better.

Promotions for MN Twins top prospects not unexpected

Not only is it great that Jenkins avoided injury for himself personally, but Minnesota Twins fans could soon see both he and Culpepper at Triple-A St. Paul. It would be an aggressive promotion strategy, but both have shown to be better than the competition thus far.

Like their parent big league club, the Saints and Wind Surge aren’t going to make the postseason. However, the Triple-A season is marginally longer and would be the final step prior to a major league call up.

Related: MN Twins Promote Star Pitching Prospect

At this point, it would take an unfortunate development for both Culpepper and Jenkins not to debut with the MN Twins next season. The sooner they get to Triple-A and acclimate, the further that potential timeline moves forward.

]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2025 19:35:17 +0000 Minnesota Twins Update Reveals New MN Twins Top 100 Prospect; Others Tumble Down List… https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/mlb-pipeline-top-100-prospects-update-post-trade-deadline-2025/ Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:07:27 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=66455 There are a few different places where you can check in on the best minor leaguers in the Minnesota Twins system. If you’re looking for MLB prospect rankings, most fans and media members reference Baseball America and MLB Pipeline, the latter of which is owned and operated by the league.

Some prospect rankings update more often than others. The MLB Pipeline list receives a major update following the MLB Draft and MLB trade deadline. And after the MN Twins’ historic 2025 midseason sell-off, there were a lot of reasons to keep an eye out for this year’s deadline update.

Minnesota Twins prospect rankings update – post MLB trade deadline

On Monday, when the MLB Pipeline’s post deadline prospect update went through, the Twins debuted a whopping 11 new faces in their top 30 organizational rankings.

In total, Minnesota landed five youngsters on the updated top 100 prospect rankings. Only one of those five were acquired before the deadline a couple weeks ago — 18 y/o catcher Eduardo Tait (No. 54), who was sent to the Twins by Philadelphia in the Jhoan Duran deal.

The other four — Walker Jenkins (No. 14), Luke Keaschall (No. 64), Emmanuel Rodriguez (No. 72) and Kaelen Culpepper (No. 77) — were already in the organization entering the season.

Emmanuel Rodriguez tumbles down MLB top 100 rankings

For the better part of the last two years, the Minnesota Twins top two prospects have been 20-year-old OF Walker Jenkins and 22-year-old OF Emmanuel Rodriguez, in that order. That is no longer the case, however.

After reaching as high as 37th at MLB Pipeline coming into the season, and top 20 at both Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus, Rodriguez dropped all the way to 72 in the latest Pipeline update. The problem for E-Rod hasn’t been his skillset… but instead, his availability.

Rodriguez was on the injured list with a right hip issue from June 2 through July 8th. He returned for just 10 days before landing back on the IL with a right oblique strain (July 18th). In total, Emmanuel Rodriguez has played just 43 games for St. Paul this season. And those are only the beginning of his minor league injury woes.

Related: Insider Compares MN Twins Rookie to MVP Candidate

Rodriguez has been largely the same prospect, when available. His .254/.411/.428 slash line could be better, but he has been more aggressive and willing to attack earlier in counts, something the Minnesota Twins have been asking him to do. It’s his inability to remain on the field that is hurting his prospect stock, though.

MN Twins’ top prospects are getting close…

Walker Jenkins — who has had his own health issues since being drafted No. 5 overall in 2023 — has been great at Double-A (.315/.421/.500 at Double-A), which makes his drop from 3rd overall prior to the season a bit odd.

He and Wichita teammate, Kaelen Culpepper, should both be ticketed for St. Paul by year’s end, if healthy and playing at a high level. Culpepper has been tearing up Double-A too, slashing .338/.402/.541. He earned his first top 100 ranking at MLB Pipeline pre-All-Star Game.

Eduardo Tait was the top piece acquired by the Twins during the trade deadline, and one of the highest rated prospects across the league to be dealt before July 31. Only Leo De Vries (No. 3), who was traded to the Athletics, is ranked higher.

Rounding out the group is Luke Keaschall, who will likely exhaust rookie status by the end of the season. He returned from the injured list after suffering a broken forearm. He immediately homered, then walked off the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Deadline acquisitions litter Twins top 30 prospects list

With the draft and trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Minnesota Twins farm system has seen an influx of new faces. As mentioned earlier, 11 of the players acquired over the past month are now considered top 30 organizational prospects, per MLB Pipeline.

Related: Former GM Admits MN Twins Can’t Keep Top Tier Talent

Top pick Marek Houston, who is considered an already above-average major league defender at shortstop, makes his debut as the 8th prospect. The Duran return from the Phillies shows up as the top acquisitions, which also makes sense.

Minnesota crushed Louie Varland by sending him to the Blue Jays. Derek Falvey insists Kendry Rojas was worth it, and MLB Pipeline has the new lefty starting prospect at 7th. Riley Quick, the Alabama product, slots in just behind fellow former Crimson Tide pitcher Connor Prielipp.

Ryan Gallagher (Cubs trade for Willi Castro) and Enrique Jimenez (Tigers trade for Chris Paddack) were the only other deadline additions to make the cut. Adding a bunch of draft prospects to the system is always a positive reflection of scouting as well.

]]> Tue, 12 Aug 2025 08:07:31 +0000 Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Finally Coming Off Injured List https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/news-walker-jenkins-activated-injured-list-wichita/ Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:12:11 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=63967 Injuries have made their presence felt for the Minnesota Twins this season, yet again. Pablo Lopez, Zebby Matthews, and Royce Lewis have all been placed on the injured list, recently. We’ll see how long Royce’s latest stay will be but both pitchers will be out two-three months.

The Twins’ injury issues began to pop up during Spring Training, affecting both big leaguers and prospects alike. One of those hit the hardest was top five overall MiLB prospect, Walker Jenkins, who suffered an ankle injury down in Fort Myers.

Walker Jenkins activated off IL to Double-A Wichita

After a failed return attempt from the IL in early-April, has missed about 60 games down at Double-A already this season. But come Tuesday, when the Wind Surge open a new series down in Wichita vs the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Jenkins will be back in the lineup. This, following a successful two-week long rehab assignment down in Fort Myers.

Jenkins played in a total of nine rehab games, for the FCL Twins. He went 7-for-25 with a home run and a couple stolen bases, looking largely like the five-tool prospect he has been billed as. Prior to going on the injured list back in April, Walker Jenkins went 1-for-8 with two strikeouts.

Jenkins started last summer in the same place he did his rehab assignment (Low-A Fort Myers). He finished it with the Wind Surge, where he logged just six Double-A games before their 2024 campaign ended. The 20-year-old went 4-for-25 with a double.

When healthy, hitting the ball has not been a problem for a healthy Walker Jenkins so far during his professional career. In three seasons as a minor league ball player, Jenkins is batting .297 (.860 OPS) with 10 HR, 82 RBI and 25 SB. All 444 of his at-bats have come while he has been far younger than most of his competition. That will certainly be the case again this season, at Double-A.

When could Minnesota Twins call upon Walker Jenkins?

Walker Jenkins was selected fifth overall pick during the 2023 MLB Draft, out of high school, who doesn’t turn 21 until February. Realistically, especially after his early-season injury, we won’t see Jenkins up with the Minnesota Twins this season. More likely, fans should put a pin on the 2026 season, as long as all goes as planned.

Triple-A, however, is more realistic. But he’ll have to earn it. Whenever he does eventually make it to St. Paul, a callup becomes possible at any time. For now, the Wilmington, North Carolina native is likely focused on staying healthy and producing where his feet are.

Related: MLB Insider Reveals Surprising Minnesota Twins Trade Deadline Plans

Minnesota’s outfield has been relatively consistent this season. with Byron Buxton manning centerfield. Harrison Bader is on a one-year contract though, and the future of the corners is a crapshoot.

Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach have looked good at times, this season… but we’ve been saying that about Twins’ corner outfielders since Derek Falvey took over the front office. Play well and good things will happen.

]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:15:25 +0000 Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins No. 1 Prospect is Finally Back https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/news-walker-jenkins-rehab-assignment-fcl-twins/ Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:50:05 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=63617 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.

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.

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.

]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2025 07:57:38 +0000 Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins Continue to Wait on Byron Buxton… and Walker Jenkins https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/injury-updates-byron-buxton-walker-jenkins/ Tue, 27 May 2025 02:28:14 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=63445 Carlos Correa rejoined the Minnesota Twins lineup over the weekend. He had missed a week after suffering a concussion in a nasty collision with centerfielder Byron Buxton.

The other end of last week’s star-studded crash, Buxton continues to work his way through Major League Baseball’s concussion protocol. Byron did travel with the team to Florida and he “participated in outfield drills” pregame Monday, prior to the Twins 7-2 loss against the Rays.

Minnesota Twins will continue to wait on Byron Buxton…

Byron Buxton - Minnesota Twins
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Still, according to what manager Rocco Baldelli told Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune), the 31-year-old former No. 2 overall draft pick out of Baxley, GA still has some cognitive tests to pass and proverbial hills to climb before he’ll ready for a return to the Minnesota Twins lineup.

Byron Buxton, who remains on the seven-day concussion injured list, participated in outfield drills and ran the bases before Monday’s game in Tampa. “It’s going to take a little time, I think,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “But he is here for a reason — because he is doing well.”

Buxton’s 1.9 fWAR continues to lead the Twins this season. He is batting .261/.312/.522 with five doubles, three triples, and ten home runs. The strikeout-to-walk ratio is ugly at 56/11, but Buxton has been a pillar of health thus far. Buxton is a perfect 8-for-8 on stolen base attempts and, per usual, he’s played exceptional defense in center field, as well.

Meanwhile, Matt Wallner is expected to rejoin the Minnesota Twins lineup when their road trip shifts from the east to west coast later this week. Their final game in Tampa vs the Rays is scheduled for Wednesday. Then, they have an off-day Thursday, before seven total games in Seattle and Sacramento (Athletics).

Walker Jenkins still not ready

Outside of those three injuries, the Twins have a relatively clean bill of health… at least up in the big leagues. Down on the farm, top prospect Walker Jenkins — who Minnesota selected with the No. 5 overall in 2023 — has missed pretty much the entire start of the minor league season with a high ankle sprain he suffered during spring training.

Walker Jenkins, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK

After he returned for a couple of games in April, Jenkins went back on the injured list, where he has remained ever since. Nightengale gave the first update we’ve heard on Walker Jenkins in a while… and it wasn’t as positive as we’d hoped.

The 20-year-old out of North Carolina got a cortisone shot around a month ago. The Twins aren’t saying whether or not it worked as they’d hoped… but Bobby did aggregate an update from Minnesota GM Jeremy Zoll, via a recent interview with Sirius XM Radio, noting that Jenkins is still two to three weeks out.

Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins, who received a cortisone shot to aid his left high ankle sprain at the end of April, is still a couple of weeks from returning to minor league games. “I think we finally flushed out all the inflammation and all the soreness,” Twins General Manager Jeremy Zoll said on Sirius XM’s MLB Network “Front Office” radio show. “He’s been ramping up his activity. … We’re optimistic that he’ll be on the field within the next few weeks.”

Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune

It was determined that Jenkins — who last played on April 6 — needed a cortisone shot weeks after his injury, once his ankle didn’t progress as he and Twins doctors were hoping it would.

What is the MN Twins organization missing with Jenkins out?

To this point, Baseball America’s No. 5 overall prospect in 2025 has played just 110 professional games in two-plus professional seasons since the Minnesota Twins selected him out of South Brunswick high school.

Related: Report: Potential Minnesota Twins Buyers are Losing Interest

In the two games he’s played this season, Jenkins is 1-for-8. Last year, at just 19 years old, the outfield slugger played 82 games across four different levels, slashing .282/.394/.439, a journey that ended with six games at double A Wichita. Once he is healthy, that is where he will restart 2025.

Jenkins is a true five-tool player. He posted 22 doubles, four triples, and six home runs while owning a 47/56 K/BB. He was successful on 17-of-20 stolen base attempts as well. Speed is certainly part of the Jenkins’ game, but he could eventually shift more towards a corner spot and lean into the power.

The Wichita Wind Surge are currently 23-22 to start the year, and could use an elite talent like Jenkins in their lineup. If Walker Jenkins is going to see run at Triple-A this summer, he needs to get back on the field ASAP.

]]> Mon, 26 May 2025 21:28:17 +0000 Minnesota Twins New Day, New Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Injured https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/news-walker-jenkins-injured-list-ankle-april-2025-wichita-sind-surge/ Wed, 09 Apr 2025 23:45:38 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=62317 The Minnesota Twins 2025 season has not gotten off to the best start. Well, at 3-8, that is putting it way too lightly. There’s been ineptitude from the lineup and, at times, their pitching has been worse.

For a team that had projections of winning the AL Central division, nothing gone well out of the gates, and that includes player health. While they did receive some positive news on Brooks Lee this week, after he started a rehab assignment down in Florida, before it was moved to Triple A St. Paul two days later.

Walker Jenkins on the Double-A injured list for MN Twins

But as could have been expected, as soon as one former top prospect is about to get healthy, the Minnesota Twins current top prospect — 2023 No. 5 overall draft pick Walker Jenkins — is now hurt. On Wednesday, the Double A Wichita Wind Surge placed the 20-year-old center fielder on injured reserve.

As Gleeman reports, this is the same ankle injury that forced Walker Jenkins to miss time during spring training. The South Brunswick high school graduate came into the 2025 season as a consensus top five prospect in baseball.

This, after he posted a .282/.394/.439 slash line last season with 22 doubles, four triples, and six home runs between low A and Double A ball last summer. It’s plausible the 20-year-old actually debuts with in the big leagues this season, but that’s only going to happen if he stay on the field and produce.

In 2024, Jenkins hurt himself on Opening Day, an injury that ultimately limited his season to just 82 games. This time around, the Wilmington, NC kid played just a pair of Double-A games, before finding his way to the shelf. Prior to landing on IR, Jenkins started the Wichita season 1-for-8 with a pair of strikeouts.

Minnesota Twins top prospects bring all the injury risk

It remains to be seen how long his absence will be. Of course, the Twins will be cautious when it comes to getting Jenkins back on the field, as they should be. He is a huge part of their future.

For years Minnesota Twins fans have brought frustration to the table when it comes to their evaluation of Byron Buxton. He is a former top prospect that has struggled to stay on the field, and his 100+ games last year was just the second time he accomplished such a feat during his career.

Related: MN Twins Give Optimistic Update on Pablo Lopez Injury

Jenkins isn’t the only top prospect in the Twins system who’s been dealing with injuries this spring. Their second-best prospect, Emmanuel Rodriguez, missed much of spring training because of an ankle injury of his own.

Then, in the second game of the St. Paul Saints’ regular season, Rodriguez jammed his thumb which caused him to miss another game or two. Remember, Rodriguez had to have surgery on his other thumb this offseason.

]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:45:41 +0000 Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins Provide a Bunch of Injury Updates https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/minnesota-twins-news/spring-training-injury-updates-jenkins-rodriguez-matthews-topa-tonkin-canterino/ Sat, 08 Mar 2025 19:50:50 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=61081 The Minnesota Twins are now multiple weeks into Spring Training. They have tied a few times but ultimately own a 6-5-3 record. For Major League Baseball, spring is about a couple things. Obviously, teams are preparing for Opening Day, which for the Twins comes on March 26 in St. Louis.

But the most important part of this time of year is staying healthy. Last year, the Twins struggled to do that, and it wound up being a running narrative throughout the season. And this last week, we’ve seen more of the same thing down in Florida, though most of this year’s injuries have involved prospects, not impact big leaguers.

Minnesota Twins prospects dealing with injuries down in Spring Training

MLB: Spring Training-Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees
Credit: Dave Nelson-Imagn Images

Let’s start with oft-injured, aging pitching prospect, Matt Canterino, when he suffered a shoulder strain back in early March. He isn’t the only pitching prospect dealing with injuries, though. Zebby Mathews, another advanced minor league pitcher the Twins are hoping will make an impact in their rotation this summer, has a hip strain.

Minnesota Twins hitting prospects have been bitten by the injury bug too. In fact, the best two prospects in the entire organization — Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez — are both trying to recover from their own injuries too. Big league relievers Justin Topa and Michael Tonkin are also dealing with shoulder issues.

Matt Canterino, Erasmo Ramirez injury update

On Saturday, Minnesota Twins injury updates were aplenty, on all the aforementioned prospects. Matt Canterino, who hasn’t pitched in a professional game since 2022, is dealing with the same type of shoulder injury that cost him all of last season. Local insider Darren Wolfson took it a step further on SKOR North this week, saying Canterino is expected to miss at least 6-8 weeks.

“Matt Canterino, shoulder strain, looking at 6-8 weeks if not more. It’s just another injury for the Twins pitching prospect. Very unfortunate.”

Darren Wolfson – Skor North

Canterino was placed on the Minnesota Twins 40-man roster prior to the 2023 season. He has yet to be placed on the 60-day injured list, but that could be coming. Matt Canterino’s 1.48 ERA and 130 strikeouts across 85 professional innings makes a fan wonder. Unfortunately, his body isn’t reliable.

Related: Minnesota Twins Prospects Revealed for Exclusive MLB ‘Spring Breakout’

Erasmo Ramirez, who was likely ticketed for St. Paul, may not wind up pitching in the Twins organization at all this season. The veteran threw 20 2/3 innings with a 4.35 ERA for Tampa Bay last season, but a significant shoulder tear may end his season.

Zebby Matthews, Michael Tonkin, Justin Topa injury updates

News regarding Zebby Matthews appears to be positive after he left the game following a ball he fielded coming off the mound. The starter suggested he could continue pitching but the Twins wanted to error on the side of caution and re-evaluate him.

Matthews has pitched well this spring and owns a 7/0 K/BB across 6 1/3 innings. He is on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, but could challenge both Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson.

Related: Minnesota Twins Flamethrower Struggling to Find Heat

Speaking of Paddack, he threw on Saturday but exited after just 2 2/3 innings after as he was hit in the head by a comeback line drive that thankfully deflected off his glove first. Paddack walked off the field under his own power and is not showing concussion symptoms, per LaVelle E Neal (Star Tribune).

Unfortunately, bullpen updates are less promising. Michael Tonkin, who’s near the bottom of the pecking order, has allowed four runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings this spring. He needs more time to rest, and is a likely candidate to begin the season on the injured list.

Justin Topa has consistently been injured since joining the Twins. Last season was a knee issue and now he has shoulder soreness. There is a possibility he could have been a capable middle-relief arm, but not if he can’t stay on the field.

Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez injury updates

Both Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are on their way back for the Minnesota Twins. Spring training minor league games started on Saturday and Jenkins told me he is “doing good.” The hope is that he can be in games soon.

Fellow top prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez has now had back-to-back days of batting practice. He had thumb surgery to end his 2024 season and told trainers he’s swinging pain-free “for the first time in seven months.” Rodriguez will start running next week and shouldn’t miss any regular season time. MLB Pipeline’s Sam Dykstra had updates on both prospects, as well.

Walker Jenkins is on his way back from a left ankle sprain after jumping for a ball at the outfield fence. Says he’s on his way back, not a concern long term. My interview with him will be on MLB Network’s 30 in 15 series later today.

— Sam Dykstra (@samdykstramilb.bsky.social) March 8, 2025 at 10:18 AM

Emmanuel Rodriguez taking BP cuts on the backfields too:

[image or embed]

— Sam Dykstra (@samdykstramilb.bsky.social) March 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM

Although it was just a 47 game sample size, it’s beyond impressive that Rodriguez played through pain to post a .280/.459/.567 OPS and reach Triple-A. He’s way up there on top 100 prospect lists. Both Rodriguez and Jenkins should have a real shot to turn heads in 2025.

Related: Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli Wants a F***ing Parade

Minnesota needs to continue a trend of more positive injury updates and have the bill of health remain clean through the final weeks of March. They were hit hard just before Opening Day last season. Hopefully history doesn’t repeat itself.

]]> Sat, 08 Mar 2025 17:32:41 +0000 Minnesota Twins News Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins Top Prospects Sidelined at Spring Training https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/minnesota-twins-news/marco-raya-emmanuel-rodriguez-walker-jenkins-injury-updates/ Sat, 01 Mar 2025 16:18:48 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=60823 Spring Training is well under way around Major League Baseball. The Minnesota Twins have already played six games. Entering Saturday’s game vs the Boston Red Sox, starter Bailey Ober was the only projected Opening Day rotation starter who had yet to throw an exhibition pitch this Spring.

It was around time last year that the injury bug first started hitting the Minnesota Twins 2024 roster. Last March was when they first lost Jhoan Duran and Brooks Lee, who eventually returned to the lineup. Justin Topa and Anthony DeSclafani also went down while the team was down in Fort Myers a year ago.

Emmanuel Rodriguez - Minnesota Twins
Credit: Chris Tilley-Imagn Images

We’d later find out those early injury issues were only the start of a narrative that would eventually derail what looked like another playoff-bound season, during the first half. Outside of some underreported top prospect injuries from February, health hasn’t been a huge concern for the 2025 MN Twins, so far.

But on Saturday, a slew of injury updates painted a worrisome picture regarding the health of multiple top prospects in the organization. Two of the three involved the most exciting non-pitching prospects in the Twins’ system, both top 10 in the MLB, depending on where you look.

Walker Jenkins out for Minnesota Twins

The first involves the youngest of the Twins’ top talent, 20-year-old Walker Jenkins. The 2023 No. 5 overall draft pick is being slowed to start minor league Spring Training, yet again, this time due to an ankle sprain he suffered upon his arrival to MiLB camp last weekend.

Unlike last March, when back spasms caused him to miss the start of the minor league regular season, this injury is not expected to be a problem when regular season games begin across the organization. This, according to a report from The Athletic’s Dan Hayes.

When camp breaks, Jenkins should be ticketed for Double-A Wichita, where he played the final six games of his 2024 regular season. Jenkins — who enters the season ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB.com — hit .282/.394/.439 across 82 games last season, including 22 doubles, four triples, and six home runs.

Jenkins combines incredible raw talent, power and speed. He’s a five-tool player who projects as a future masher of baseballs, and an above-average glove in center field, should the Minnesota Twins decide to keep him there.

Related: Minnesota Twins Hiding Plans for Louis Varland, Who Did Not Change His Name

If Jenkins can get healthy this spring and start the regular season off on the right foot, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him knocking on the door of the major leagues at some point near the end of the season.

Emmanuel Rodriguez remains sidelined for Twins

As noted above, Emmanuel Rodriguez remains out of action for the Twins. His ankle sprain has kept him off the field and he won’t be in a game for another week and a half. That means Rodriguez will have just over two weeks of game action for Minnesota before starting the regular season.

Emmanuel Rodriguez — who was brought in as an international free agent before the 2021 season — had surgery on his thumb last year, an injury that forced him to miss considerable stretches of the 2024 summer. Given all of the hype surrounding baseball’s No. 37 overall prospect (according to MLB.com), the last thing the Twins want is him entering the season with an injury.

Last year’s injury issues allowed Rodriguez to play in only 47 minor league games last season. He has never played in more than 99 games, as a professional. That was back in 2023, the only season in which he’s topped 50 games played. His .280/.459/.567 slash line from 2024 was exceptional. The Twins just need him to stay healthy and on the field.

Rodriguez earned a promotion to Triple-A St. Paul last season, and that’s where he is expected to immediately made an impact for the Saints in 2025, as long as he can stay healthy. That’s a big “if”. Health-willing, though we should see Emmanuel Rodriguez in a Twins uniform this season, sooner than later.

MN Twins pitching prospect Marco Raya also injured

Another notable absence down in Fort Myers has been that of Twins top pitching prospect, Marco Raya. He was scheduled to pitch last week, but didn’t make his appearance, due to a left quad strain he has been dealing with.

Health has been something that Minnesota has tread carefully with Raya on. He made 25 starts last season, but averaged less than four innings per outing. The former fourth-round pick is just 22 years old, but the organization continues to slow-play his build up.

The quad injury is hopefully minimal and will allow Raya to get back on the mound in short order. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen for the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, with live batting practice expected to take place later in the week.

Related: Multiple Minnesota Twins Players Rattled After Near Death Experience

Last season, Raya owned a 4.05 ERA across 97 2/3 innings. He struck out 103 but walked 44. There is a lot to like in his profile, but the Twins have to determine whether or not he can hold up as a starter. Raya hit Triple-A St. Paul last season and is projected to be in their rotation. He could be a possibility for the Twins at some point this summer.

Through their first six games of Grapefruit League action the Twins have showcased a few of their top pitching prospects. Cory Lewis and Andrew Morris have both appeared in action.

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