Twins Promote Walker Jenkins; Prospect Slashes .308 With 12 HR at St. Paul

The Minnesota Twins have officially called up outfielder Walker Jenkins from Triple-A St. Paul, where the 21-year-old posted a .939 OPS and 12 home runs.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins finalized the promotion of center fielder Walker Jenkins from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter arrives in the major leagues after slashing .308/.391/.548 across 69 games for the Saints. During his tenure in the International League, the North Carolina native recorded 51 runs scored, 12 home runs, and 17 stolen bases. His recent performance included a significant power surge where he launched eight home runs over his final 15 games before receiving the call to the big-league club.

Key details

Jenkins enters the Minnesota system currently ranked as the 12th overall player on ESPN’s top 100 Major League Baseball prospect list for the 2026 season. Originally selected as the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the outfielder must be formally added to both the organization's 40-man roster and the active 26-man squad. These administrative transactions are required before the Twins initiate a three-game series this Friday against the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox at Target Field.

The roster move follows persistent health concerns regarding All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton. The veteran has battled a hip injury for the past two months, which limited his availability throughout the summer. Buxton was most recently forced out of Tuesday's contest due to an aggravation of that specific ailment, leading to an immediate need for defensive reinforcements. While the Twins were off this Thursday, the front office has not yet confirmed which player will be designated for assignment or optioned to accommodate Jenkins' arrival on the active list.

Walker Jenkins demonstrated elite production during his 69-game stint with the St. Paul Saints this year. Beyond his .308 batting average, he showcased a rare combination of speed and power by tallying 17 steals alongside his 12 round-trippers. His slugging metrics were heavily bolstered by the eight home runs he produced in just a two-week span leading up to the promotion. The 2023 first-round selection has maintained high-level output since entering professional baseball, justifying his status as a top-15 league-wide prospect according to multiple scouting outlets.

Latest developments

Minnesota faces the division-leading Chicago White Sox in a critical three-game set beginning Friday evening. Jenkins is expected to provide immediate depth in center field, a position primarily occupied by Buxton before his recent physical setbacks. The club utilized social media platforms to broadcast the news of the promotion during a scheduled off-day for the major league team. Because the Twins did not play on Thursday, the official paperwork for the 40-man and 26-man roster spots remains pending until the gates open for the series opener against Chicago.

Jenkins represents a pivotal addition for the club as they navigate the final months of the 2026 campaign with their primary All-Star outfielder sidelined by chronic hip issues. The rookie's .939 OPS at the Triple-A level suggests he is prepared for the velocity of major league pitching. Scouts have noted his improved plate discipline, evidenced by a walk rate that climbed during his final month in St. Paul. This promotion marks the first time the 2023 fifth-overall pick will appear on a Major League roster, fulfilling the high expectations set when he signed his initial professional contract out of high school.

Defensively, Jenkins logged over 500 innings in center field for the Saints this season, committing only two errors while recording five outfield assists. His range factor of 2.45 ranks among the top tier for Triple-A outfielders in 2026. The Twins' coaching staff will likely slot him into the middle of the batting order to capitalize on his recent run-producing efficiency. As the pennant race intensifies, the integration of a top-12 global prospect provides a necessary spark for a lineup that has struggled to maintain consistency during Buxton's absences. The upcoming series against the White Sox will serve as the first true test for the young outfielder in a high-leverage environment.