Before the First Pitch, Twins’ Top Prospect Became Someone’s Hero

By Carew Abdullateef

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Long before the first pitch was thrown and before the cheers of baseball fans echoed around CHS Field, Walker Jenkins had already delivered the night’s most unforgettable performance.

It was not with a towering home run, a spectacular catch or a game-winning hit. Instead, the Minnesota Twins’ top prospect reminded everyone that some of sport’s greatest moments happen away from the scoreboard.

As players lined up on the field during the national anthem before the St. Paul Saints’ game last week, a group of local children stood beside them as part of the pregame ceremony. Among them was a young boy named Lincoln, positioned next to Jenkins.

As temperatures soared during a heat wave that gripped much of the United States, Lincoln suddenly began to lose his balance. Within moments, he started collapsing.

Without hesitation, Jenkins sprang into action.

The 21-year-old outfielder quickly lifted the boy into his arms and carried him directly to the dugout, where St. Paul Saints head athletic trainer Chase Thompson immediately attended to him and moved him into the shade.

Fortunately, the frightening incident ended on a positive note. The Saints later confirmed that Lincoln had only suffered a fainting spell, most likely caused by the intense heat, and was doing well. Before leaving the ballpark, the youngster received a special keepsake—a Saints jersey bearing Jenkins’ No. 23.

The club celebrated the moment on social media with a simple message, noting that not every hero wears a cape; some wear a Saints jersey with the number 23 on the back.

The incident quickly resonated far beyond Minnesota because of the man who came to Lincoln’s aid.

Jenkins is widely regarded as one of baseball’s brightest young talents. Selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Twins in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft out of South Brunswick High School in North Carolina, he chose to begin his professional career immediately instead of attending college.

Now ranked among the top 15 prospects in baseball by MLB Pipeline, Jenkins has earned praise for his exceptional hitting ability and defensive skills. Teammates have even nicknamed him “Captain America”—a playful title that suddenly seemed remarkably fitting after his instinctive act of compassion.

His performance on the field later that evening only added to an already memorable day.

Jenkins finished 3-for-5 at the plate, recording a double and a triple, scoring three runs and driving in another as the St. Paul Saints defeated the Buffalo Bisons 12-6. He came within a home run of completing the cycle, but many fans agreed that his biggest achievement had come hours before the game even started.

As his Major League Baseball debut with the Minnesota Twins draws ever closer, Jenkins continues to build a reputation that extends beyond his impressive baseball talent.

For Lincoln and everyone who witnessed the touching scene, however, Walker Jenkins will be remembered not just as one of baseball’s finest young prospects, but as someone who saw a child in distress and acted without a second thought—a reminder that sometimes the greatest victories in sport have nothing to do with the final score.