Walker Jenkiins goes 3-for-4, homers versus Twins

One of the top prospects in baseball, Jenkins hit just .226/.293/.393 with four homers, 10 RBI and one steal in 93 plate appearances over 26 games after receiving a late-season promotion to Minnesota. The 21-year-old former top-five pick should be a full-go at the start of spring training given the nature of the procedure, but fantasy managers should monitor his status throughout the offseason to ensure that he’s on track for the outset of the regular season.

Jenkins gave the Twins an insurance run in the seventh inning, leading off the frame with a solo homer off Duncan Davitt. The 21-year-old outfielder is up to four homers and one steal while hitting .214/.295/.414 across 79 plate appearances.

It’s the highest spot that Rodriguez has batted since being called up back on September 12. The 23-year-old top prospect launched a solo homer during Monday’s series opener at Oracle Park, but is hitting just .194 (7-for-36) with 13 strikeouts and one walk through 10 games at the outset of his big-league career. He’s hitting directly behind fellow top prospect Walker Jenkins with Luke Keaschall back in the leadoff spot in this one.

Jenkins draws his second consecutive opportunity atop Minnesota’s lineup after hitting .529 (9-for-17) with two homers over his last five games. The 21-year-old phenom has managed to turn things around after a rocky start to his big-league career and is finally starting to look like the hitter that fantasy managers saw at the Triple-A level for the last few months. He should be rostered in deeper fantasy leagues, especially with a six-game week to close out the season.

Of course, velocity data doesn’t go back all that far. Still, we’re guessing Jenkins set some sort of record for greatest velocity difference on pitches hit for a player’s first two major league homers. Jenkins’ first came off a 37.4-mph “other” from Tigers infielder Zach McKinstry in an Aug. 31 blowout. Tonight’s, however, saw him turn around a 100.9-mph fastball from one of the game’s hardest throwers. The three-hit game made Jenkins 7-for-49 as a big leaguer.

Jenkins is just 4-for-41 as a major leaguer. He did make good contact the one time he put a ball into play today, hitting a ball 100.4 mph to center, but it was still an easy play for Steven Kwan. Now that Byron Buxton has been ruled out, Jenkins figures to finish out the season as the Twins’ center fielder. However, in light of his struggles, he probably will do some sitting against left-handers.

Jenkins takes a seat with Emmanuel Rodriguez making his big-league debut in center field. The 21-year-old top prospect is hitting .108 (4-for-37) with one homer, five RBI and one steal in 13 games since arriving in the majors last month. It’s not uncommon for an elite prospect to experience an adjustment period as they acclimate to everyday life at the highest level. Jenkins is the type of talent that fantasy managers shouldn’t be concerned about long-term, even if he struggles down the home stretch.

It’s unclear if Jenkins is sitting just because the Twins are facing a left-hander, or if they just wanted to give the 21-year-old outfielder a breather after starting in seven straight games. He has struggled at the dish thus far, slashing .130/.286/.304 with one homer, three RBI, one stolen base and a 6/5 K/BB ratio over 28 plate appearances to begin his MLB career.

Jenkins is hitting .188 (3-for-16) with one homer, three RBI and one steal in five games since being promoted from Triple-A last week. It’s worth noting that the homer came off position player Zach McKinstry in garbage time during a blowout. The 21-year-old top prospect checks every conceivable box from a physical projection and raw talent standpoint, which makes him worth rostering in all fantasy formats. It’s not uncommon for hitters to struggle with the leap to the majors and it could take Jenkins a little while to find his footing. He’s the type of talent that is worth stashing even when things aren’t going his way.

Jenkins remains at the bottom of Minnesota’s lineup after going 2-for-9 with one RBI and a stolen base in three games since being called up from Triple-A last week. The 21-year-old top prospect projects as an extremely impactful fantasy contributor based on his talent and minor league production. The early results haven’t quite been there, but he’s put together some quality at-bats and hasn’t looked overmatched at all so far.