Twins' top pick Jenkins launches grand slam for first pro homer
Walker Jenkins is off to a scorching hot start in his professional career. The 2023 fifth overall pick blasted a grand slam for his first professional home run in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League on Monday afternoon, giving the FCL Twins the edge in a 9-7 victory.
Jenkins, who also doubled, has been unstoppable to start his professional career. In his debut on Thursday, the 18-year-old smoked the first pitch he saw to the opposite field for a double. He’s slashing .462/.500/.846 with five RBIs in three games.
The North Carolina native recently wrapped up the Twins’ 2023 Draft signings as he inked a $7,144,200 bonus on July 25.
Heading into the Draft, Jenkins, who was No. 4 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 250 Draft Prospects list, was viewed as a left-handed slugger with all five tools. The 6-foot-3 outfielder had 60 grades for his hitting, power and arm strength, along with a 55 for his fielding and running abilities. He was one the best prep prospects out of North Carolina since Josh Hamilton went No. 1 overall in the 1999 Draft.
Perhaps the most strongest part of Jenkins’ game is his swing. The lefty has the ability to turn on fastballs quickly and hit the ball out to any part of the field. His light-tower power is something opposing pitchers will have to be cautious of.
During his time at South Brunswick High School, Jenkins took home Gatorade’s North Carolina Player of the Year award in both 2022 and 2023. He slashed .388/.520/1.150 throughout his high school career, including a 2022 season where he hit .527 in 30 games.