Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins called up, bats 9th and plays center field in MLB debut

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins was called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, and the 21-year-old outfielder was in Minnesota’s lineup against the Chicago White Sox, batting ninth and playing center field.

Minnesota drafted Jenkins fifth overall in 2023 as a high schooler from North Carolina. He was promoted to Triple-A late in the 2025 season and had spent all of this season with St. Paul.

Jenkins received a standing ovation from Twins fans at Target Field before his first at-bat in the second inning. He hit a deep fly to the warning track his first time up, which drew another round of cheers from the home crowd.

Two innings later, Jenkins singled to right for his first big league hit — which earned him another hearty ovation.

“It gave me straight chills. Having fans and people that come and support me and support this team like that is incredible,” Jenkins said after Friday’s 7-4 loss to the White Sox. “I’m playing baseball, hitting a ball with a stick, and you’ve got people coming out like that that support you. It’s truly amazing.”

In 69 games at Triple-A this year, Jenkins batted .308 with a .940 OPS and 17 stolen bases. He hit 12 homers, including five in his past six games with the Saints. He was 15th in Major League Baseball’s prospect rankings.

To make room on the 26-man roster for Jenkins, the Twins optioned outfielder Alan Roden to St. Paul. That means ailing outfielder Byron Buxton avoids the injured list for now, with manager Derek Shelton saying Buxton is day-to-day with right hip discomfort.

Right-hander Woo-Suk Go was designated for release or assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Jenkins.

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