- Full name James Jenkins
- Born
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Jenkins was considered the best power hitter coming out of the high school ranks in 1999, but he dropped down to the third round in part because of concerns about his diabetic condition. While that hasn't been a problem, a back injury shut him down after 23 games in high Class A last year. He didn't require surgery, but he has endured a long process of rest and rehabilitation. It was a key year for Jenkins, too, because it was his first as an outfielder after struggling defensively at third base. What he does best is hit the ball hard and far. He has a very live bat and enormous power potential. What he does worst is make contact. Jenkins has fanned 213 times in 608 professional at bats. He was a poor fielder at third base but had displayed signs of becoming an adequate outfielder, despite his lack of speed, before his back injury. He's destined to return to Lakeland in 2002. -
This much is certain about Jenkins, even at this early stage of his professional career: He'll go only as far as his bat takes him. He made 46 errors in 99 games at third base in 2000 while displaying next to no range. His future probably lies at first base. Hitting is a different story. Jenkins is strong and has an exceptionally live bat. When he lays the bat on the ball, it carries. He was the only player at West Michigan, which has a spacious home ballpark, to reach double figures in home runs last season. But he doesn't consistently lay the bat on the ball, as his 151-38 strikeout walk ratio indicates. Jenkins was considered the best power-hitting high school prospect in the 1999 draft. Depending on how he performs this spring, he'll either return to West Michigan or move up to Lakeland.