One of the biggest names fans are talking about ahead of tonight’s MLB Draft is South Brunswick (N.C.) High School outfielder Walker Jenkins, two-time Gatorade N.C. Player of the Year.
The 18-year old from Southport, who is currently committed to play baseball at UNC next year, is widely-regarded as the best high school player available.
Look at his numbers alone. According to GameChanger, Jenkins hit for a career .469 and recorded 97 hits across four varsity seasons, mashed 16 home runs, drove in 61 RBIs and stole 47 bases. Jenkins also showed plenty of discipline as a high school hitter, drawing 66 walks to just 19 strikeouts.
In his junior season, Jenkins helped the South Brunswick Cougars to a 25-5 (11-3) record, the Mideastern 3A/4A conference title and an appearance in the NCHSAA 3A state title series against South Rowan. South Brunswick won Game 1, 4-3, behind a 2-for-4, 1-RBI performance from Jenkins, but South Rowan took the next two.
Jenkins is a tall, powerful lefty who can hit the ball to any field and has a strong arm. Watch a couple of Jenkins’ highlights from last year – he’s got a good set of wheels on himself, too.
According to Keith Law’s latest MLB Mock Draft, Jenkins is currently projected to go 7th overall to the Cincinnati Reds. He’d be a good fit in Southwestern Ohio – not only because of his talent, but the fact that the Reds only have three listed outfielders on their active roster – Will Benson, Jake Fraley and TJ Friedl.
In other words, the likelihood of Jenkins ever stepping foot on UNC’s campus again is slim-to-none.
Jenkins wouldn’t start out in the MLB, but if his skills transition smoothly from the amateur to the professional level, he could see himself on a major league roster in a year or two.
Jenkins would be a huge boost to the Tar Heels’ lineup, especially with another power-speed threat in current Tar Heel Mac Horvath slated to be selected tonight.
If you’re projected to go top-10 in the draft, though, it’s pretty hard to turn that selection down.
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