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Walker Jenkins Sitting Atop Stash Rankings Ahead of Week 22
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has enjoyed a surge at the Triple-A level and is on the verge of earning the call to the major leagues. Over his last 11 games at Triple-A St. Paul, the young outfielder has only gone hitless once and has carried an elite .452/.558/.881 line over this stretch. Over these 11 games, the outfielder has gone deep five times and swiped six bags. While injuries have limited his playing time, when active, Jenkins is among the most productive bats in the upper minor leagues. On the season, Jenkins has held a .306/.406/.525 line with 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 16 stolen bases across 67 Triple-A games. Even though there is not a clear path to MLB at-bats at this time, Jenkins' current production puts him in a prime position to earn a late-season taste of MLB pitching.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Walker Jenkins Making a Case For Promotion
Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins is producing nicely this month at Triple-A St. Paul with five homers and eight RBI while hitting .379. Jenkins missed a large portion of the beginning of the season with a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. That injury set him back in his timeline for advancing to the major leagues, and he still is looking to prove full health to his organization. Jenkins was a first-round pick in 2023 and has advanced nicely in the minor leagues. At age 21, he is primed for a shot at the big leagues with a 60-grade hit tool, 60-grade power, and 55-grade speed. The left-handed hitter has hit well in limited action at St. Paul this season with nine homers and 23 RBI in 65 games at the Triple-A level with a .294 batting average. Jenkins is looking for an opening to play in Minnesota, and he will be a big asset for fantasy managers if given the chance.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Joe Ryan Throws Encouraging Bullpen Session
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) threw an encouraging bullpen session on Tuesday, his first since landing on the 15-day injured list with a mild left-glute strain, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The All-Star hurler threw all fastballs and sinkers in a 25-pitch session that pleased his coaches. "It's a step in the right direction for sure," Ryan said. "Very encouraging," Twins manager Derek Shelton said. "He looked free and easy. He's a very important part of our team. To see him out there and be healthy -- (it's the) first step in the progression to getting him back." Ryan has been solid all year for the Twins, but he allowed seven home runs and 16 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings in three starts after the All-Star break before landing on the IL. Pitching coach Pete Maki said that Ryan has implemented some delivery fixes while throwing on flat ground, and Maki has been encouraged. Ryan is happy to have resumed throwing off a mound, but he's still a bit cautious, and he has some more boxes to check before the Twins will clear him to rejoin the big-league starting rotation.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Walker Jenkins a Top Offensive Stash with Multi-Category Potential
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins continues to show off the toolset that made him a fifth-overall draft pick in 2023, hitting .378 with six multi-hit efforts, a 1.107 OPS, three home runs, and three steals in 11 games in August. The Twins' top-ranked prospect missed time with an injured shoulder earlier this season, but in the 66 games he's played, the left-handed hitter owns a .289/.388/.477 slash line with seven home runs, 13 steals, and nearly as many walks (36) as strikeouts (43) at Triple-A St. Paul. The 6-foot-3 slugger is expected to make his major league debut over the final month of the season, and with a strong combination of hit, power, patience, and speed, the 21-year-old should be considered one of the top offensive stashes left in the minor leagues for redraft leagues because of his potential to be a multi-category contributor.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kaelen Culpepper Remains a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Priority
Across 33 plate appearances since making his MLB debut on August 7, Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper is hitting .250/.333/.393 with one home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. The 23-year-old is widely considered one of the top prospects in the Twins' farm system and was having a big year at Triple-A before his promotion, slashing .271/.367/.478 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. While Culpepper has logged an inflated 33.3% strikeout rate in his very limited sample size of big-league plate appearances, he posted a strong 18.7% strikeout rate in the minors this season. Culpepper has logged near-everyday playing time at shortstop for Minnesota since being called up. As long as he stays in the lineup, Culpepper profiles as an above-average power/speed threat with five-category upside for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Walker Jenkins Emerging as the Clear No. 1 Hitting Prospect to Stash
Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has had a red-hot month of August at Triple-A St. Paul and is looking like the next call-up prospect for the Twins after Kaelen Culpepper. Jenkins is hitting .381 this month with three homers and five RBI in 42 at-bats. That has raised his overall batting average between three minor league levels to .306 this season with nine homers and 23 RBI in 65 at-bats. The left-handed hitting stud prospect missed a large amount of time this season with a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. But now that he is back, he is one of the top hitting prospects to stash in redraft leagues for the rest of the season. He will likely join Culpepper in getting a shot at an MLB debut, and when he does, he will showcase his 60-grade hit tool and 60-grade power.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Yoendrys Gomez Still the Primary Source of Saves in Minnesota
Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Yoendrys Gomez hasn't been perfect so far in the month of August, but he remains the Twins' primary closer, despite the addition of veteran reliever Jeff Hoffman at the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Gomez has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings over five appearances so far in August, losing two games. It hasn't been perfect, but he also has picked up three saves and doesn't look to be in any danger of losing out on save opportunities to Hoffman. The 26-year-old Venezuelan hurler had a 6.23 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with one save in 17 1/3 innings pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays to begin the year before the Twins acquired him. Gomez has been a much better pitcher with the Twins in an elevated role, posting a 2.00 ERA (3.41 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, 16 saves, 37 strikeouts, and 18 walks over 36 innings. As the primary closer for Minnesota, he deserves to be rostered in more than 34% of Yahoo leagues. He has yet to blow a save chance with the Twins.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Twins Reinstate Byron Buxton From Injured List
The Minnesota Twins announced on Thursday that they reinstated outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) from the 10-day injured list. The Twins have not announced their starting lineup for Thursday's game at home against the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola, but we'd think that Buxton would be back in the lineup, potentially as the designated hitter. Buxton is finally back from a right-hip impingement that kept him out since July 28. Now that the 32-year-old three-time All-Star is back in Minnesota, fantasy managers should be ready to reinsert him into their starting lineups. Buxton had a career-high 35 home runs, drove in 83 runs, and stole 24 bags in a resurgent 2025 campaign, and although he hasn't been quite that good in 2026, his power continues to be very valuable for fantasy managers. He is returning to a .263/.320/.544 slash line with an .864 OPS, 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven steals through 82 games played this year. Buxton hit just .207 (6-for-29) with zero home runs in nine games in July before going on the IL, so the Twins are hoping he can get going again as they seek a playoff spot down the stretch.
Source: Minnesota Twins
Source: Minnesota Twins
Byron Buxton Could Return to Twins Soon
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) was mashing during on-field batting practice at Target Field on Tuesday and could be close to coming off the 10-day injured list, according to Chris Long. Manager Derek Shelton said that Thursday is a possibility for Buxton. The 32-year-old veteran has been sidelined since the end of July due to a right-hip impingement, but he appears close to being ready to rejoin the major-league starting lineup without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The Twins face the Philadelphia Phillies for the Field of Dreams game on Thursday, which would be a nice time for Buxton to make his return. Although the 12-year veteran doesn't run much these days, he continues to be an excellent source of power in 2026 (25 homers) after clubbing a career-high 35 long balls a year ago. Buxton was struggling at the plate in July in nine games before his hip injury, though, going 6-for-29 (.207) with a double, two RBI, a run scored, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He hasn't homered since June 22.
Source: Chris Long
Source: Chris Long
Joe Ryan Plays Catch on Flat Ground
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) played catch on flat ground on Monday, according to AaronGleeman.com. Ryan is already throwing after being placed on the 15-day injured list with a left-glute strain last Friday. The 30-year-old veteran could have a chance to return to the Twins' starting rotation when he's eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 21, but that remains to be seen. Ryan struggled to repeat his delivery since the All-Star break, which led to the Twins shutting him down for at least two weeks. His poor results so far in the second half can be attributed to his glute injury. Overall, Ryan, a two-time All-Star, is 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA (3.42 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 27 walks in 125 2/3 innings and 23 starts. He's seen a slight drop in his strikeout rate (26.4%), but his command remains stellar with a 5.2% walk rate in his sixth year in the majors. Ryan needs to remain stashed in all fantasy formats with his return potentially right around the corner.
Source: AaronGleeman.com
Source: AaronGleeman.com
Byron Buxton Works Out Before Monday's Game
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) worked out on the field and took batting practice on Monday before the team's game at Target Field, according to LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Manager Derek Shelton said it was a "very encouraging workout" for Buxton, who is currently on the 10-day injured list with a right-hip impingement. The 32-year-old veteran had been progressing slowly from his hip injury, but Monday represented some real progress. It's unclear when Buxton might be able to rejoin the major-league roster, but Shelton did note that he is not expected to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, which makes us think he will most likely be back before the end of August, barring a setback. The three-time All-Star is limping to the finish line in 2026, but he's had a fine season to this point, slashing .263/.320/.544 with an .864 OPS, 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven steals in 82 games played after clubbing a career-high 35 long balls with 83 RBI and 24 steals in 2025. Buxton remains rostered in nearly all Yahoo leagues (95%) while he rehabs from his hip injury.
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - LaVelle E. Neal III
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - LaVelle E. Neal III
Walker Jenkins Posts Another Multi-Hit Effort as MLB Debut Approaches
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins turned in another dominant effort at Triple-A St. Paul as his MLB debut continues to loom closer. On August 8 (Saturday), Jenkins went 2-for-5 with a triple and a stolen base. Over his last 10 games at the top club in the Minnesota system, the former fifth overall selection has posted a .333/.391/.595 slash line with three doubles, two home runs and two stolen bases. During this noted stretch, Jenkins has posted five multi-hit efforts and only gone hitless three times. On the season, Jenkins has appeared in just 57 Triple-A contests (due to injury), but has posted a sharp .838 OPS with six home runs and 11 stolen bases. With the Twins competing for a Wild Card, expect them to turn to their top-ranked prospect in the near future to add another spark to the lineup, especially with Byron Buxton still on the shelf.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Zebby Matthews Exits with Foot Issue
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews (foot) was forced to make an early exit from Friday's outing against the Milwaukee Brewers. Matthews came out to warm up for the sixth inning, but was taken out shortly after that. It has been announced that Matthews was pulled from this game due to a blister on his right foot. Before leaving, Matthews allowed three earned runs on seven hits while striking out four batters across five innings of work. For now, Matthews is lined up to start against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should monitor his status over the next few days. He could be a deep league streaming option if he's available to pitch versus the O's.
Source: Dan Hayes
Source: Dan Hayes
Twins Officially Place Joe Ryan on Injured List With Glute Strain
The Minnesota Twins announced on Friday that they placed right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) on the 15-day injured list with a left-glute strain and recalled right-hander Zebby Matthews, who will start on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. The Twins initially were saying that Ryan was dealing with right-arm fatigue, but an MRI exam on Thursday showed his glute strain, which was making it difficult for him to repeat his delivery on the mound. It helps explain why he has struggled mightily in his three starts since the All-Star break, allowing 17 runs (16 earned) on 25 hits (seven home runs) while walking two and striking out 10 in 15 1/3 innings of work. Overall, the 30-year-old veteran is 6-8 in 2026 with a 3.65 ERA (3.42 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 27 walks in 125 2/3 frames across 23 starts. It's unknown if Ryan might be ready to return from the IL when he's eligible in two weeks, but fantasy managers in all league formats need to keep him stashed for the stretch run.
Source: Minnesota Twins
Source: Minnesota Twins
Byron Buxton Progressing Slower Than Expected
Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (right hip) is progressing slower than expected as he works back from another flare-up of his hip impingement, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Buxton is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list this weekend in Milwaukee, but he has yet to resume baseball activities after receiving an unspecified injection last week. The 32-year-old has increased his loading, isometric, and weight-training work and hopes to carry that progress onto the field over the next few days. This is Buxton's second IL stint because of the same hip issue. He is batting .263 with 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs, and seven steals in 82 games. Fantasy managers should keep him stashed, as there is still no firm timetable for his return.
Source: Minnesota Star Tribune
Source: Minnesota Star Tribune
