Twins select prep standout Walker Jenkins 5th overall
With the fifth pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Minnesota Twins selected Walker Jenkins, an outfielder out of South Brunswick High School in Southport, N.C.
Widely considered the best prep prospect in the class, Jenkins has shot up draft boards after filling out physically and showing more prominent power.
His development wasn't without its snags, though. After making Team USA's U18 squad as an underclassman in 2021 and tearing the cover off the ball as a junior to the tune of a .519 batting average with 10 homers en route to winning Gatorade's Baseball Player of the Year for North Carolina, Jenkins suffered a hamate injury that prevented him from playing on the showcase circuit.
He's quelled any doubts, though, by bouncing back well as a senior.
"Walker is an absolute stud," head coach of nearby New Hanover High School Aaron Rimer said. "We 100% would not throw him a pitch (to hit) with any runners on base. He's an absolute stud defensively as well in center field, covers from gap to gap, and made a catch against us that only he makes. He's just a special player."
Bio
Age: 18
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6-3, 210 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
School: South Brunswick HS (N.C.)
NCAA commit: North Carolina
Pick value (#5): $7,139,700
Tools
- Polished hitter with good approach
- Plus arm strength
- Flaunted elite speed in early high school
Why fans will love this player
- Lefty slugger with quiet swing; small leg kick
- Made USA's U18 team as underclassman
- Gatorade Player of the Year for North Carolina (2021-22)
- Considered best prep prospect from N.C. since Josh Hamilton
- Likely to start pro career in center
Things he'll need to overcome
- Still working on defense; might profile better as right fielder with strong arm
- Losing speed as he develops more power, size
Take a look ...
(Video source: MLB Pipeline)