MINNEAPOLIS -- They’ve been teammates and rivals, friends and competitors. Now they’re the starting center fielders for two AL Central teams. And they’re still just 21 years old.

For Emmanuel Rodriguez, the refrain remains the same: the Twins' outfield prospect is among the most talented and productive hitters in the Minors … when he is on the field. After missing nearly three months with a torn UCL in his left thumb, Minnesota's No. 5 prospect is once again

MINNEAPOLIS – Facing Tigers utility man Zach McKinstry and his sub-40 mile per hour pitches in the eighth inning of the Twins’ 11-1 win on Monday night, Walker Jenkins had one thought in his mind. “Dude. Don't strike out,” Jenkins recalled.

This story was excerpted from Matthew Leach’s Twins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Khadim Diaw took his promotion by the horns. The Twins' No. 9 prospect headed up to Double-A Wichita on June 15 after a career-high 58 games at High-A. Diaw slashed .300/.405/.454 with 15 doubles, five homers and one triple for Cedar Rapids, and the 23-year-old hasn't wavered during his adjustment

MINNEAPOLIS -- Rarely does a player get a standing ovation after flying out to center field. Sure, if it’s a sacrifice fly to tie or win a game, that will earn an eruption of cheers from the crowd. But Walker Jenkins was the exception as he received a standing ovation

MINNEAPOLIS – Unlike some Minor League callups, Walker Jenkins didn’t have to catch an early morning flight or endure an hours-long travel day to make it to his Major League debut. That doesn’t mean he slept well. Or at all.

If the idea is to strike while the iron is hot, the Twins got the assignment right. Walker Jenkins has joined the big league club and was in the starting lineup on Friday, as the Twins host the White Sox in a key AL Central series.

This story was excerpted from Matthew Leach’s Twins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Vahn Lackey has played baseball nearly all over the country since his season began with Georgia Tech back on Feb. 13. He donned new threads once again Tuesday night after earning the first promotion of his Minor League tenure. And he made sure his first contest at home in Iowa

Walker Jenkins can do this all day. MLB's No. 15 prospect, whose nickname is "Captain America," delivered his second two-homer game of the week in Triple-A St. Paul's 8-5 loss to Columbus at Huntington Park.

Vahn Lackey has hit some memorable homers in his baseball career, but his latest dinger is one he won’t ever forget. MLB’s No. 19 prospect showcased his 60-grade power as he slugged his first professional homer in Single-A Fort Myers’ 7-6 loss against Palm Beach at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium

Walker Jenkins always factored into the Twins plans this season – pending a clean bill of health, of course. And although the injury bug reared its ugly head in May and delayed the top-ranked Twins prospect’s season from really getting going until mid-June – he has more than made up

MINNEAPOLIS -- Three days ago, the Twins were licking their wounds after losing three straight games to the Phillies. What a difference three days can make.

This story was excerpted from Matthew Leach's Twins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Now that’s a good early impression. Carson Tinney, the Twins’ second-round pick in this summer’s Draft at No. 43 overall, mashed a pair of home runs on Wednesday, his first multi-homer game in just his 10th appearance with Single-A Fort Myers. That included a walk-off, two-run blast to lift the

The Trade Deadline is an important mile marker in every season, at which point contending clubs bolster their rosters for a postseason push. And while trade acquisitions are an important way that teams boost their chances at making the playoffs and potentially a deep October run, there is another way

MILWAUKEE -- Kaelen Culpepper's whirlwind 24 hours started with a shower and ended with a different type of shower that featured mustard and baby powder in his hair. In between, the 23-year-old introduced himself to the Major Leagues with a bang.