Credit: William Parmeter
The Minnesota Twins have surpassed the halfway point of the 2026 season. While they remain below .500 (42-46), a lackluster American League first half has them very much in the early playoff fight.
Through 88 games, All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton has led the way, but the Twins have gotten valuable production from all over a suprisingly competent lineup, despite injuries trying to trip them up along the way.
Eventually, Twins fans hope that starting pitcher Joe Ryan will join Buck in Philadelphia, though his last performance in Houston certainly wasn’t All-Star caliber, so we’ll wait and see how that all plays out in the coming days as Mid-Summer Classic rosters get set in both the AL and NL.
Meanwhile, the big league All-Star Game isn’t the only talent showcase that will take place that week. On July 12, two days before the MLB All-Star Game and one day before the Home Run Derby, Citizens Bank Park will play host to the 2026 Futures Game.
Walker Jenkins joins 2026 Futures Game roster
As long as he is healthy enough to play, the Minnesota Twins were already scheduled to be represented by Major League Baseball’s No. 33 overall prospect (per MLB Pipeline), shortstop Kaelen Culpepper.
On Thursday, however, they got another name added to the roster, this time their farm system’s top prospect and MLB’s No. 14 overall prospect, outfielder Walker Jenkins.
Our NEW selection for the 2026 All-Star Futures Game🌟@WalkerJenkins6 | @Twins#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/pktnYlACs6
— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) July 2, 2026
Like Culpepper, Jenkins recently returned to the St. Paul Saints (AAA) from injury, though his injury (separated shoulder) was more severe and required more time on the injured list was much longer than his Triple-A and Futures Game teammate.
The MN Twins’ real-life superhero
Now back in St. Paul, Jenkins has picked up where he left off and nearly hit for the cycle earlier this week, nearly hitting for the cycle on Wednesday, the same day that he saved a young kid who passed out during the playing of the National Anthem.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear a #23 Saints jersey.
We are happy to share Lincoln is doing well, and even got some new merch🥹💙 pic.twitter.com/yGs3dcc4Kb
— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) July 1, 2026
In 31 games at Triple-A this season, Jenkins is batting .272 with an .820 OPS, plus a near-even strikeout to walk ratio of 21/20 K/BB. While he has just two home runs, he smacked 10 extra base hits on the season.
Jenkins plays primarily in centerfield, but can play anywhere. When he eventually makes his big league debut, the 2023 No. 5 overall draft pick will be in one of the corners, as long as Byron Buxton is on the team and healthy. It remains to be seen where he will play during All-Star week.
Mentioned in this article: All-Star Game Walker Jenkins
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