What to Expect from Twins Outfielder Walker Jenkins

From an advanced point of view, Jenkins checks all the boxes in terms of someone who could easily fit in the top third of the Twins’ future lineup. Last year was a perfect example of the type of approach he has, as Jenkins took a lot of pitches outside of the strike zone, resulting in a low CS/Take%. Why does that matter? Good swing decisions make a good hitter even more dangerous.

From July 1 through August 27, his 24.8% Chase% was in the top 40% of all Triple-A hitters. The changeup was the one real pitch that got him to expand regularly with St. Paul.

On top of that, it’s really hard to get anything past Jenkins at the plate. In Triple-A this season, the 21-year-old had a Whiff% on four-seam fastballs of 7.8%. He had either a sub-20% or sub-30% Whiff% on every other type of pitch. While he was more vulnerable down and out of the zone, it was nearly impossible for hitters to beat him in the strike zone.

There was also one part of the strike zone, middle-away, where no pitcher beat him on 46 swings.

Defensively, Jenkins is a center fielder by trade. The Twins outfield prospect played the vast majority of his games in center throughout his Minor League career. But he did see 12 games on the corners this year, seven in left field and five in right.

The Twins officially selected Walker Jenkins’ contract on August 28.

Analysis

This month, the Twins have gotten a good look at their future. Earlier this month, shortstop Kaelen Culpepper was summoned to the big-league level. And after a torrid August in Triple-A, Jenkins received the call on August 28.

Jenkins now joins a Twins club that is fighting for a playoff spot. It hasn’t been the easiest stretch for the Twins, a club that lost five of six on the road between San Diego and Sacramento. Additionally, the Twins were without Byron Buxton on the 26th, as he continues to deal with a nagging hip that’s bothered him throughout the year.

Again, as noted above, Jenkins is a highly polished hitter, one who is going to be a key building block for the future in Minnesota. And in the interim, someone who will need to keep the offense moving as the Twins look to get back into a playoff spot.