Twins take North Carolina prep Walker Jenkins with No. 5 pick in MLB draft

SEATTLE – With a consensus five top players available in the major league draft, and the No. 5 overall pick, the Twins took the one who was available to them.

The Twins selected Walker Jenkins, a North Carolina high school outfielder who impressed throughout the spring and was considered one of the two best prep players in this year's draft class. It was a fortunate position for the Twins after they leapt eight spots in the inaugural draft lottery last winter.

"This is the first step to getting to my final goal of being the best ballplayer ever," Jenkins told reporters in North Carolina. "I want to go No. 1 because I want to be the best, but that's not always how it works. I plan on going out and proving that to everyone, and the first four teams that didn't take me, proving it to them that they're ultimately going to regret their decision."

Jenkins, 18, was rated the No. 4 player in the draft class by Baseball America. The 6-3, 205-pound lefthanded hitter stands out because he uses such a simple, compact lead-in to his swing, but he hits for as much power as any high school hitter.

ESPN draft analyst Kiley McDaniel wrote Jenkins is the "best prep hit/power combo since Bobby Witt Jr. in 2019 and has a shot to be the face of a franchise." ESPN will rank him as the No. 21 prospect in the sport once he signs. The slot value for the No. 5 pick is $7.14 million.

At Jenkins' high school, South Brunswick, players did not have to ride the bus back from away games because of the distance. It gave many of them a chance to return home faster. There were times when the team bus arrived, and Jenkins was already at the school taking more swings in the batting cages.

"Win or loss, he could be 3-for-4 or, unfortunately, a game where he gets walked every at-bat," said Mike Anderson, who coached Jenkins in his sophomore and junior seasons, "he would be in there just working away because he wasn't satisfied with the outcome of that particular game. It's something I've never witnessed before with a player."

Scouts view Jenkins, a University of North Carolina commit, as a potential 30-home run threat. He features solid speed and may be given a chance to start his pro career in center field, but he could be an impact corner outfielder with his power profile. He's the top North Carolina high school position player prospect since Josh Hamilton was the No. 1 pick in 1999.

Despite being pitched around at the high school level, Jenkins hit .417 this year with a .632 on-base percentage and .633 slugging percentage as he cemented himself as a top-five pick. Born with a hip impingement, he was sidelined during his freshman year after surgery and took up swimming, a sport where he helped his school to eighth at state in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

He suffered a hamate injury last summer, costing him a chance to play on the U-18 national team. When he was told he wouldn't be on the roster because of his injury, he thanked all his coaches.

"We called him Captain America," said former Twins pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, who coached Jenkins at the Prospect Development Pipeline showcase last year. "Very respectful. Works his butt off and loves playing the game of baseball."

The Twins had three of the first 49 picks in the draft, a chance to recoup some of the prospect capital they lost from trade deadline deals to acquire Tyler Mahle and Jorge López last summer. They picked Florida high school righty Charlee Soto with the No. 34 pick, a Central Florida commit, and Arizona State infielder Luke Keaschall at No. 49.

Soto is newer to pitching after converting from shortstop and one of the youngest players at 17. He broke into tears with his mother, Wanda, when he heard his name called.

"It was exciting, nerve-wracking, everything in one," Soto said of his draft experience.

Jenkins, who was surprised the Twins took him because he had more communication with other teams, will immediately challenge shortstop Brooks Lee, last year's first-round pick who is playing at Class AA Wichita, for the No. 1-rated prospect in the organization.

The Twins have until July 25 to sign their draft picks. The draft will continue with rounds 3-10 on Monday and rounds 11-20 on Tuesday.