Meet the 5th overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, Walker Jenkins

The Naples Daily News and the News-Press will feature a member of the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels each week to introduce fans to the Minnesota Twins’ Single-A prospects as they progress through the ranks of minor league baseball in Southwest Florida.

Walker Jenkins is in his second year of professional baseball after being selected fifth overall in the 2023 draft by the Minnesota Twins. The Southport, N.C. native signed a full $7.14 million bonus and followed that up with a solid rookie season, posting a .988 OPS, .362 batting average with three home runs, 22 RBIs and 16 runs scored in 26 games between the FCL Twins and the Mighty Mussels.

Jenkins was ranked as the fifth-best prospect in Major League Baseball, according to the latest MLB Pipeline rankings released on July 1, despite missing two months after suffering a hamstring injury on Opening Day. Through the July 14 game, Walker had a .260 batting average with a .385 slugging average and two home runs, five doubles, 24 RBIs and 15 runs scored for the Mussels.

THE Naples Daily News I sat down with the 19-year-old outfielder to find out more about him.

Question: When you look back on your career, do you have a favorite memory or a moment that you remember fondly?

Jenkins: I would say growing up in the All-Star league is one of the most fun things I’ve ever had. And looking back, it’s one of the best memories I’ve had. We had a really good team growing up, we always went really far and won a couple of state championships. We would go to the ballpark for four hours every day, so I really love looking back on it.

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Do you have a sporting achievement that you are most proud of?

Jenkins: I feel like playing for Team USA (2021 18U National Team) was probably the coolest and honestly the most important thing I’ve ever done. Putting on that jersey and representing your country is an unparalleled feeling. It’s probably number 1 right now.

What challenges do you think you have been able to overcome since arriving in Fort Myers?

Jenkins: I think you just have to create a routine. I’ve always loved to work. I just want to work, work, work, work. Every time I play every day and do something every day, I’ve had a few bumps and bruises along the way. So you have to figure out how to try to stay healthy and stay on the field. So that’s something that’s still developing, trying to figure out how to manage that so I can go out and play and do what I love.

What’s something a casual Mussels fan might not know about Class A baseball?

Jenkins: You know, I’m sitting in the clubhouse right now at 12:30, and we don’t have a game until 7:05 tonight. We have to lift weights, run, hit, do all of these things before the game to be ready to play and continue to get better. So I think that’s what the average fan might not know. A lot of people who have played baseball, it’s just show up, take a few swings, throw, and then go play. But you don’t just come here to play, you come here to get better and work every day. So you come in six or seven hours before the game to get ready to play.

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What advice would you give to young baseball players?

Jenkins: I would say that first and foremost, you have to have fun. If you can’t go out and have fun, you start to feel like a burden and it’s hard to make a career out of it. So you have to have fun. But you have to work hard. If you want to be successful and go far, you have to put in the work. But those two things go hand in hand. I think if you’re having fun, it’s easy to go out and work.

What does your usual pre-game routine look like outside of the things the team has set for you?

Jenkins: I always sit and pray, for our team and for the other team. Just for the health and safety of everybody and that we can play a good game. Because that’s what a game is at the end of the day. As competitive as I am and I love it, I hope that nobody gets hurt. It’s a life-changing thing, and it’s part of my routine and I’m going to do it every day. It’s a little out of the norm for a lot of people.

Do you have a favorite jersey/theme party?

Jenkins: Since I’ve been here, I’ve liked the Star Wars one. I grew up watching Star Wars and always thought it was pretty cool, so when they came out with this one, I thought I’d give it a try.

Is there a story behind your number 27 jersey?

Jenkins: No, it was really just me and (Andrew Pagliughi, director of baseball and clubhouse operations) talking it over. He asked me what number I wanted, and I said I didn’t care, whatever worked for me. How about 27? A lot of good baseball players wore that.

What is your favorite place to eat in town?

Jenkins: I’ve tried a lot of good tropical smoothies, I’m a smoothie fanatic. Also, I don’t mind a good pizza, I like to go to Mellow Mushroom or there’s a place called Grimaldi’s that’s really good in the area. But I wouldn’t say I have a place here yet.

Calendar of upcoming Mighty Mussels

July 19-21 at Clearwater Threshers

July 23-28 at the Dunedin Blue Jays

July 30 – August 4 vs. St. Lucie Mets

August 6-11 at Jupiter Hammerheads

August 13-18 vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers

August 20-25 at Tampa Tarpons

August 27 – September 1 vs. Clearwater Threshers

September 3-8 at Lakeland Flying Tigers

Visit MightyMussels.com for game times and more promotions.