Develop More Usable Power

Jenkins entered professional baseball with a sweet left-handed swing and the promise of offensive impact. Still, questions remain about how much of his raw power will translate to game situations.

Some comparisons exist between Jenkins’s swing and that of Joe Mauer, a name that resonates deeply with Twins fans.

While Mauer’s swing was built for elite contact and gap power, his one notable limitation was a lack of consistent home run production. Could Jenkins bump his head on a similar ceiling?

Jenkins has a slightly smaller frame than Mauer, but there is room for him to continue to add strength. His bat speed and leverage suggest significant power potential. However, tapping into that potential at the highest levels requires more than just physicality.

Jenkins must refine his approach at the plate, particularly in generating backspin and attacking pitches in the heart of the zone.

Last season, his Barrel%, 90th% EV, and Hard Hit% were each in the 61st percentile or lower, during his time at Low-A Fort Myers.

There is room for those numbers to improve significantly, given that he’s thus far run a low pull percentage (21st percentile) and an even lower percentage of pulled fastballs (17.3%, 13th percentile). He might unlock more extra-base hit potential if he can pull the ball with authority.

A key focus for Jenkins will be adjusting to advanced pitching, especially as he faces better velocity.

While his early professional track record showed a hitter capable of making loud contact, his development in the minors will determine whether his raw power can evolve into the type of game-changing tool that sets him apart.

Prove He Can Stick in Center Field

There’s no denying that Jenkins’s bat will shape his future value, but his ability to handle the rigors of center field is a close second.

Jenkins has all the tools to stick at the position, with above-average speed, plus instincts and a strong arm. Last season, Jenkins played 35 games in center field and 45 at DH.

Some of those lineup decisions were based on him returning from an early season injury.

However, questions linger about whether his physical profile will ultimately lead him to a corner outfield spot.

Center field is demanding, and Jenkins must prove he can cover ground effectively as he continues to grow into his frame.

He’s already seen time in the corners, where his plus arm and offensive profile are natural fits.

The Twins should resist the temptation to permanently move him off center field unless absolutely necessary.

Minnesota has moved some top prospects from shortstop to utility roles in recent years, which might be a flaw in their development process.

Keeping him in center, even as a part-time option, significantly enhances his long-term value and gives Minnesota flexibility with their roster construction.

The Twins have had success grooming athletic center fielders, with a lineage stretching from Byron Buxton to Denard Span and Torii Hunter.

Jenkins must consistently show he can handle the position’s physical and mental demands. If he can do that while continuing to refine his offensive game, he’ll cement himself as a rare five-tool talent.

Stay Healthy

For all the promise Jenkins brings, staying on the field might be his biggest hurdle. Early in his professional career, injuries have already been a concern.

A quad strain slowed him down and caused him to miss six weeks at the start of the 2024 season.

Twins fans are all too familiar with how injuries have derailed top prospects, as players like Byron Buxton, Miguel Sanó, and Royce Lewis have all faced significant setbacks.

“Being injured somewhat hindered the way I like to play,” Jenkins said at TwinsFest. “I had to be able to manage my body, and I wasn’t able to go what I felt like was full throttle all the time.”

For Jenkins, durability will be paramount if he hopes to reach his potential. Part of this will involve building strength and flexibility to minimize soft-tissue injuries.

He’s incorporated swimming into his offseason routine. It will also mean learning to manage his workload, especially as the grind of professional baseball intensifies.

Jenkins’s combination of size and athleticism puts him at risk for wear-and-tear injuries, so proactive measures (including conditioning and recovery protocols) will be critical.

If Jenkins can stay healthy, he’ll have the opportunity to log the at-bats and repetitions he needs to refine his skills.

Availability is a skill in its own right, and for a player with his tools, simply staying on the field could be the difference between being an excellent prospect and becoming baseball’s best.

Jenkins has the potential to be a generational talent, but becoming the best prospect in baseball is anything but guaranteed.

By focusing on developing more usable power, proving his ability to stick in center field, and maintaining his health, Jenkins can position himself as one of the brightest young stars in the game.

If he can rise to the challenge in these areas, Twins fans may soon have another homegrown superstar to cheer for at Target Field.