Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins spoke with KSTP Sports on Friday afternoon at Target Field. He’ll make his MLB debut Friday night, batting 9th and playing center field vs. the White Sox.
“It’s absolutely incredible being able to come out here and be around these guys,” Jenkins said before his first game. “I like the routine aspect, so I’m glad to get that rolling and be here.”
***Click the video box above to watch Jenkins’ pregame media availability***
The call-up became official Thursday in a moment Jenkins will never forget. Surrounded by teammates and coaches at Triple-A St. Paul, he learned he was headed to the big leagues.
“It was incredible,” Jenkins said. “Having that type of moment with your teammates, with the coaching staff, the guys you’ve been around all year and competing with, having guys that I think truly care for me and were happy for me, just makes the moment even better.”
The announcement came courtesy of Triple-A manager Brian Dinkelman, who gathered the team and delivered the news during what Jenkins initially thought was a normal meeting.
“I saw some of the guys with cameras and thought something was a little suspicious,” Jenkins recalled with a laugh. “Then Dink called the guys together and said we were making a playoff push. After that he said, ‘But Walker won’t be there. He’s going to the big leagues.’ It was pretty awesome.”
Jenkins arrives in Minnesota after a strong stretch offensively, including a recent power surge that has reinforced what scouts and evaluators have long believed about his bat. He was batting .308 with 51 runs, 12 homers and 17 steals with a .939 OPS in 69 games for AAA-St. Paul. The 21-year-old native of North Carolina hit eight home runs in his last 15 games for the Saints.
While the home runs have come in bunches lately, Jenkins said the improvement is more about consistency than any dramatic change.
“I would say most of it’s natural,” he said. “Some swing adjustments and working through things, but then being healthy, stringing a bunch of healthy at-bats together and being able to go and compete.”
His ability to drive the ball to all fields has been especially noticeable. Jenkins credits maturity and a better understanding of opposing pitchers for that development.
“Some of it’s just growing in my body, becoming a more mature hitter, understanding the approach against a lot of different profiles and what I’m trying to do,” he said.
Jenkins won’t lack support when he takes the field. Friends and family have descended on the Twin Cities from his hometown, although even Jenkins has lost track of exactly how many people are making the trip.
“Probably two dozen family members and friends that I’ve kind of invited,” he said. “Then it sounds like half my town’s coming that I didn’t even know were coming.”
The excitement didn’t leave much room for sleep. After receiving the news, Jenkins spent much of the night wide-awake.
“No, are you kidding me?” he said when asked if he slept. “I laid in bed. It was like 1:30 (am) and I’m just wide awake looking at the ceiling.”
Even his dog, Rooster, joined the celebration when he got home.
“Rooster was insane when I got home,” Jenkins said, smiling.
Despite the enormous spotlight, Jenkins insists he isn’t trying to put extra pressure on himself. Instead, he’s focusing on enjoying the game he’s loved his entire life.
“You know there’s going to be pressure,” he said. “I’m going to feel it, but I’m going to love it. I get to play baseball for work and get to go out there and have fun. So I’m going to have fun regardless.”
Jenkins believes the full significance of becoming a major leaguer may not hit him until he stands on the field during the national anthem.
“The anthem normally gets you,” he said. “You’re lined up out there and you’re seeing people in the crowd. It’s so humbling just understanding, like, you’re here. I’m a big leaguer now. It’s an incredible thought.”
The promotion comes as the Twins remain in the thick of the playoff race, a fact that makes the opportunity even more meaningful for Jenkins.
“I’m just thankful that they think enough of me to call me up at this time when it’s got a lot going on, a lot of big games here,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to go out and help this team win.”
For Jenkins, the path to the majors required patience. Several members of his draft class reached the big leagues before him, but he never allowed himself to become consumed by the timeline.
“Faith is such a big part of my life,” Jenkins said. “Things like that that I can’t control, I’m not going to worry about it. I was just going out and playing ball every day.”
Now, after years of anticipation and months of preparation, Jenkins’ wait is over. The next time he steps onto the field, he’ll do so as a major leaguer.
