Following a measly 38-42 start to the season, the Twins recently committed another year to their manager. This came amid a 2-8 stretch with inconsistent performances left and right. However, there may be hope in the future, as according to Baseball America, the Twins have the 8th-best farm system. This is highlighted by outfield prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez, both top 30 prospects.
The Journey Here for Twins Prospects
After being signed out of the Dominican Republic for $2.5 million in 2019 at the age of 16, the Twins struck gold with the talent. After losing his first season due to COVID-19, he made his debut in 2021 at rookie ball. Over 37 games, Rodriguez slashed .214/.346/.524 with 17 XBH and 23 RBIs. He then began the 2022 season in Low-A, where he saw success with a 1.043 OPS in his first 4 games. Unfortunately, he would suffer a torn meniscus sliding into a base, losing the rest of the season. Despite that, he started the next season with the High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels. In 99 games, Rodriguez managed to hit .240 with a .863 OPS, walking 92 times and securing 55 RBIs. Now at the Double-A level, Rodriguez tore it up with a 1.100 OPS before another injury shut him down. Despite this, he managed to reach Triple-A for the 2025 season, where he once again came down with an injury, slowing his progression.
With the 5th pick in the 2023 MLB draft, the Twins selected Walker Jenkins out of high school. He quickly made it to Low-A ball after only 14 games at Rookie Ball, where he had a .927 OPS. Now at Low-A, Jenkins hit .392 in 12 games, striking out 6 times while drawing 4 walks. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring strain to begin the 2024 season, missing two months in the process. When he returned, he didn’t miss a beat, allowing him to advance to High-A. In 34 games, he slashed .290/.382/.481 with 17 XBH and 8 stolen bases in the process. This success then led him to Double-A by the end of the 2024 season. Jenkins has struggled to start the year with only a .590 OPS before suffering another injury.
What Does the Future Hold for the Twins
Despite the injury worries, the Twins’ prospects have shown the ability to be elite-level outfielders. This comes as the Twins’ outfield has an average age of 29 years, highlighted by Byron Buxton. With Jenkins at the Double-A level, it is unlikely we will see him with the Twins this year. However, once fully healthy, it is very possible that Rodriguez makes it all the way before the season’s end. Once both make it, Jenkins could anchor in center field with Rodriguez in right, which will give the Twins a formidable outfield for the foreseeable future.
Main Photo Credits: Landon Bost/Naples Daily News/USA TODAY Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK
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