South Brunswick’s Walker Jenkins selected 5th-overall by Twins in MLB Draft
The newest Twin's first move after being drafted was to thank the community
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Walker Jenkins is set to begin his career in professional baseball. The South Brunswick High School star outfielder was taken 5th overall by the Minnesota Twins in the 2023 MLB Draft.
“This is the first step in getting to my final goal of being the best ball player ever,” said the newest Minnesota Twins outfielder. “Some of the conversations are crazy. I think it’s so weird I’m sitting in my kitchen and having conversations with MLB baseball teams, the front office guys. It’s still surreal. I still haven’t wrapped my head around everything.”
Jenkins was named the NC Gatorade Player of the Year for the second year in a row back in June. He admits he had less communications than with some other teams that were drafting in the top 5. His top-five selection in the draft came as no surprise, following a .421 batting average and .637 on base percentage last year.
“Oddly enough things worked out the way they did and I’m fortunate to go to this great organization and can hopefully be a part of a winning team and bring winning to that organization.”
Jenkins was the second high school player taken in this year’s draft, after Max Clark of Franklin Community High School. Paul Skenes, a pitcher from LSU, went number one overall.
“Kudos to (Max Clark). I thought I was going to go higher than him but he’s a great ball player and I’m sure he’s worked extremely hard as well. Obviously I want to beat everybody. I want to go 1-1 to prove that I’m the best. I want people to think I’m the best. But that’s not always how it works. I plan on going out and proving to the first four teams what I can do and what they are missing out on.”
The crowd at Generations Church as the community finds out Walker Jenkins is drafted #5 overall to the Minnesota Twins! pic.twitter.com/Kddu0iy1ya
— Jake Eichstaedt (@Jake25Eich) July 9, 2023
Jenkins says about 10 minutes after he was drafted, he decided to drive to Generations Church, where a watch party with hundreds of his fans congregated to watch the MLB draft. He called it an ‘obligation’ to stop by.
After a surprise entrance, Jenkins stayed to sign autographs. Some items included the usual baseball hat, baseball, or bat. Other more odd items ranged from dollar bills to a shoe.
“It means the world to me. Growing up with people that support you, positive influences all my life outside of my parents… It not only makes me a better person, it translates to the ball field. I feel like going out there with a positive attitude has only helped me perform better. And it’s rewarding to give back to a community that has done so much for me. I couldn’t ask to be in a better area.”
He is conscious of the potential impact that has on his fans, especially the young ones who want to be like Walker Jenkins.
“Growing up for me, going to games, you look up to them. Something as much as a hello, fist bump, signing an autograph means more than people know. You grow out of being a child, grow out of the fantasy of being a professional baseball player as you get older. I hope that can be a reality for some of these kids and they can strive to be better than me.
“Playing ball, I’d probably play either way if people watched or didn’t watch but it’s awesome to be an inspiration.”
Jenkins says as of draft night he does not know his immediate schedule, but assumes it involves flying to Minnesota for a physical soon and then heading to Florida with the Twins Rookie Ball team. He admits he’s scared of the thought of playing playoff baseball in Minnesota, who plays outdoors, but says he will bundle up and figure it out.
“When you are doing something you love, you’ll be alright.”
