Eric Jenkins
| AB | 1738 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .224 |
| OBP | .29 |
| SLG | .323 |
| HR | 20 |
- Full name Eric Durant Jenkins
- Born 01/30/1997 in Chadbourne, NC
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School West Columbus
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Drafted in the 2nd round (45th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2015 (signed for $2,000,000).
View Draft Report
The top high school prospect in North Carolina, Jenkins has a chance to develop into an impact player, profiling as a leadoff hitter and rangy center fielder. He's been known for a few years, having played summer baseball with the Dirtbags travel team, but he really emerged last summer, showing outstanding feel for the barrel, with timing and pitch recognition skills to match his intriguing bat speed. A lefthanded hitter, Jenkins has loose wrists and long arms, and a short, line-drive stroke. He can lose balance at times, and he will need to develop more strength as he gets older, but the raw materials are there for him to develop into a top-of-the-order presence. Jenkins has a lean 6-foot-2 frame, with room to fill in his lower half. He's a plus-plus runner, running the 60-yard dash in approximately 6.4 seconds, and he knows how to use his speed in the outfield and on the base paths. Scouts envision him staying in center field long-term, and his potential above-average arm gives him some versatility. Jenkins is committed to UNC Wilmington, which is less than an hour from his home, but it is unlikely that he will end up on campus, with just about every pro team in on him this spring.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Signed for $2 million as the No. 45 overall pick in 2015, Jenkins piled up strikeouts in 2016 at low Class A Hickory and generally had a tough time. He still showcased double-plus speed by stealing 51 bases, most in the South Atlantic League and third overall in the minors. Jenkins has extremely quick hands and strong wrists, but his barrel doesn't stay in the hitting zone very long. He is still learning to trust his hands by keeping them back and repeating his load and separation rather than getting caught out front. Jenkins has trouble recognizing changeups, which further contributed to him getting off balance. He has more power that his lean 6-foot-1 frame suggests and could hit 10-15 home runs, though his swing path isn't geared to hit the ball in the air. Jenkins is an outstanding athlete with the speed to cover plenty of ground in center field along with an average arm. The Rangers have had other tooled-up outfielders like Lewis Brinson and Nomar Mazara repeat Hickory before, so Jenkins could follow that path unless the Rangers push him to high Class A in 2017. -
Jenkins impressed scouts as a high school senior with his combination of speed, athleticism and bat speed. The Rangers drafted him in the second round at No. 45 overall and paid him an above-slot $2 million bonus before sending him to the Rookie-level Arizona League for his pro debut. Jenkins finished the year as part of low Class A Hickory's championship run, then broke his right hamate bone at the end of instructional league. With Nick Williams traded to the Phillies, Jenkins may have the fastest hands in the organization. He has loose wrists and a short, line-drive stroke. He doesn't always repeat that swing though, losing his balance and letting his shoulders fly out early. That causes his swing to get in and out of the zone too quickly, creating more strikeouts than scouts were expecting as an amateur. His pitch recognition skills are solid and he shows the patience to take his walks. Jenkins is an exciting, explosive athlete with 70 speed, which he uses well on the basepaths already, going 28-for-31 stealing bags in his debut. Jenkins has a lean frame with room to add much-needed strength. He has some sneaky power now in batting practice with a chance for 8-12 home runs, but his swing isn't conducive for loft. He uses his speed well in center field, where he has good range and average arm. Jenkins fits the mold of toolsy, premium athletes the Rangers have targeted in recent drafts. He could develop into an everyday center fielder, with his first full season starting next year back in Hickory as long as his hand is healed.
Draft Prospects
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The top high school prospect in North Carolina, Jenkins has a chance to develop into an impact player, profiling as a leadoff hitter and rangy center fielder. He's been known for a few years, having played summer baseball with the Dirtbags travel team, but he really emerged last summer, showing outstanding feel for the barrel, with timing and pitch recognition skills to match his intriguing bat speed. A lefthanded hitter, Jenkins has loose wrists and long arms, and a short, line-drive stroke. He can lose balance at times, and he will need to develop more strength as he gets older, but the raw materials are there for him to develop into a top-of-the-order presence. Jenkins has a lean 6-foot-2 frame, with room to fill in his lower half. He's a plus-plus runner, running the 60-yard dash in approximately 6.4 seconds, and he knows how to use his speed in the outfield and on the base paths. Scouts envision him staying in center field long-term, and his potential above-average arm gives him some versatility. Jenkins is committed to UNC Wilmington, which is less than an hour from his home, but it is unlikely that he will end up on campus, with just about every pro team in on him this spring.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Few AZL prospects gained as much late helium as Jenkins, who signed for an over-slot $2 million as the Rangers' second-round pick. His raw approach at the plate was evident early in the season, but he settled into a comfort zone later in the summer. Jenkins has the bat speed and strong hands to drive the ball, so he won't just be a slap hitter. He projects to have enough bat to allow his plus speed to play. "He's that guy who people need to plan for or try to defend," Rangers manager Kenny Holmberg said. "When he's at first, he's in scoring positon." In the field, Jenkins will be a difference-maker, with a chance to become an elite defensive center fielder. He's a quick-twitch athlete with arm strength and whip to his throws. His arm is a bit below-average now but should improve with strength. Holmberg paid tribute to Jenkins' work ethic, stating that he's a great learner and has the hunger to succeed.
