Adam Brett Walker II - 2014

[TRex]

Not sure if it is available on the 1500ESPN website, but it is certainly available on iTunes.

 

Ruesse had an interview with Dougie Baseball on Monday in which Dougie (in TK form) was very complimentary of Adam Walker. He thinks his power will play at higher levels, and also noted Walker's knack for driving in runs, especially in key situations (actually said that Walker's homers aren't when the team is ahead by 7 runs, etc.).

[lightfoot789]

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[TD=colspan: 1]Walker Hit his 19th Home Run Thursday Night and drove in his 66th RBI [/TD]

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[DocBauer]

Of position players in the Twins system, Walker is tied for 3rd with Vargas and Polaco for hope/want/belief in a kid who has the ability to make an impact.

 

He seems like a really good guy, and that only escalates the rooting for him.

 

Pure average and contact are not the be-all and end-all of being a productive ML player. But much like Vargas, though a better athlete with real positional ability, if he can simply maintain acceptable Avg and OB numbers with his power, he had a high floor and an excellent ceiling.

[lightfoot789]

Below is an interview with Ft. Myers Miracle manager Doug Mientkiewicz. He speaks on Buxton; Polanco; Adam Brett Walker; and Berrios. I think many a blogger would find his & organizational comments interesting on Walker. [Click link below and find Monday July 7th interview "The Ride with Reuesse" (Hour 1) - you might have to scroll to middle of interview to find Dougs comments]

TRex found this interview and I agree it was interesting

Ruesse had an interview with Dougie Baseball on Monday in which Dougie (in TK form) was very complimentary of Adam Walker. He thinks his power will play at higher levels, and also noted Walker's knack for driving in runs, especially in key situations (actually said that Walker's homers aren't when the team is ahead by 7 runs, etc.).

 

http://www.1500espn.com/ondemand/reusse

[lightfoot789]

Earlier this week Adam Brett Walker tied Brock Peterson (2006) for the Fort Myers Miracle Franchise HR record. It was a 450 foot shot out of the stadium in LCF.

 

All while eading the FSL in HRs - RBI - and Strikeouts, Walker has managed to stay in the Top of the FSL in Runs (7th) and Total Bases (5th). His low OBP and K rate have been his major flaws thus far in his short professional career.

 

That being said: Walker is the only college 3rd rounder (position player) to still be playing in the FSL from the 2012 draft (who hasn't spent significant time on the disabled list). Joey DeMichele (Carolina League) is the only other college 3rd rounder still in High A and he is repeating High A this season.

 

Trivia Question: Who is the last minor leaguer to lead his leagues in HRs at each level of his career?

 

Leading the FSL in HRs (by 7) should warrant consideration for a promotion. If he falters at AA - Let him repeat AA next year. Throw a dog a bone........ (21 HR / 75 RBI / 97 Games).

[lightfoot789]

Adam Brett Walker in the month of August:

BA   (.393)

HRs  (3)

RBI  (10)

OBP  (.452)

SLG.  (.750)

OPS  (1.202)

Ks   (5)

BB   (3)

 

With the FSL being listed as the hardest league in baseball (minors & MLB) to produce runs and HRs - Walker is having argueably a better year in those categories than last year's MVP season:

2013

.278  BA

.319  OBP

 27  HRs

 109  RBI

 83 Runs

 

2014

,244  BA

.301  OBP

 24 HRs

 85 RBI

 65 Runs

 

There are still 23 games left in this season

 

X-Factors: Breaking Down Various Ball Park Effects

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140205&content_id=66911570&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

[lightfoot789]

Walker finished his FSL week (8/4 thru 8/10) with the following:

.320 BA

.370 OBP

.960 SLG%

1.330 OPS

4  Runs

1  2B

3  HRs

9  RBI

2  BB

1  SB

8  K                       

Thru six games

[lightfoot789]

Adam Brett Walker II

14th in the FSL in Hits

5th   in the FSL in Runs Scored

1st in the FSL in HRs

1st in the FSL in RBI's

1st in the FSL in Total Bases

 

Toughest League in Baseball in Multiple Offensive Categories

24 HRs and 91 RBI to date - 14 games left.......................

 

His Miracle team won tonight behind a great pitching performance by his Jacksonville University  teammate Matt Tomshaw.  Team is 2.5 games back from sweeping 1st and 2nd half championships.

[lightfoot789]

In August thus far:

.333 BA

.400 OBP

.574 SLG%

.974 OPS%

[lightfoot789]

Adam Brett Walker II -  finishes the 2014 regular season with mixed emotions from the Twins Daily fan base.  To his credit, he led the Florida State League in:

• Home Runs (25) by  a total of 6.  The closest Miracle teammate had 11.  This also led everyone within the Twins minor league affiliates as well.  Has led his respective leagues in each of his professional seasons.
•  
• RBIs (94) by a total of 16.  The closest Miracle teammate had 76. This also led everyone within the Twins minor league affiliates by 15.
•  
• Total Bases  (220) by a total of (6).  This also led all Miracle teammates by (48)
•  
• Games Played (132).   Which is a testament to his outstanding work ethic. Strong Conditioning and Durability are important characteristics to have especially when playing in Florida for 132 games.  I believe he has played in more games than any Twin minor leaguer over the last 2 MiLB seasons. 
•  
• Strike Outs (156).   An obvious dubious honor.  His 28% K rate is up 8% from last year and must get back under control.
•  
• He also led all MIracle players in HITS despite his .307 OBP and .246 BA.   He was 11th in the Florida State League in Hits as well.
•  
• His 44 Walks (BB) were more than anyone on either the New Britain and / or Rochester rosters (combined) with the exception of Diebinson Romero.  I wonder if I'm the only one to find that surprising or stimulating moving forward?
•  
• He was short of the Miracle team lead in Runs Scored by 2 with (78) and short of the Florida State League lead by 5 Runs Scored.
•  
• Adam Brett Walker II  was the only Miracle position player to be selected as either a Mid Season All Star and / or Post Season All Star in 2014.  The only position player in the Twins organization to be selected to Post Season All Star Team in 2013 & 2014.
•  
• Has reached the MiLB playoffs in each of his professional seasons with the best record in the league each year.  He won a championship series his 1st season.  He helped team to the more wins (best record) than any other team in minor league baseball last season (2013).  He helped the MIracle to the second best record in Franchise history (82 wins) this season.  They fell short of the team record by 1 win. 
•  
• Despite his non believers (and that is their right) - Not a bad season.   I still find it hard to drop him on rankings and overlook his consistent body of work.  Home Runs aren't everything, but when you put into account that Walker has 1 less home run than Dalton Hicks; Stuart Turner; Max Kepler; and Travis Harrison combined (26 to 25), and they are the next 4 respective leaders still on the team?  That is something that should be loudly recognized and not "yeah but".   Not to mention all the other categories he leads his team in which represent positive numbers.

[Secondary User]

I think 2015 is going to be a very decisive year for Adam.  AA is the toughest jump to make in the minors, and he has the type of profile (power with a low hit tool) that could fizzle very quickly.  I believe they'll have to put him on the 40 man after next season, so this will be a very important for him.

[lightfoot789]

I think 2015 is going to be a very decisive year for Adam.  AA is the toughest jump to make in the minors, and he has the type of profile (power with a low hit tool) that could fizzle very quickly.  I believe they'll have to put him on the 40 man after next season, so this will be a very important for him.

I agree - But if the Twins don't put him on the 40 man roster with what he's done over the first 3 seasons - Another team will pick him up with the intentions of fixing whatever flaw they find.  His talent is undeniable.  His potential is the only thing holding bloggers from joining his band wagon.   I don't know if there was a better minor league figure head than Chris Colabello.  Great Average - Great Slugging % - Great minor league stas up and down the board.  Fizzled.  No one would have predicted Vargas would have the success he's having now so early.  You never know and potential will never take the place of results.   That's what Walker brings you every year.  His style of play will always leave you saying "not sure if he can do that next year".  Like everyone said about Dozier.

[jokin]

I agree - But if the Twins don't put him on the 40 man roster with what he's done over the first 3 seasons - Another team will pick him up with the intentions of fixing whatever flaw they find.  His talent is undeniable.  His potential is the only thing holding bloggers from joining his band wagon.   I don't know if there was a better minor league figure head than Chris Colabello.  Great Average - Great Slugging % - Great minor league stas up and down the board.  Fizzled.  No one would have predicted Vargas would have the success he's having now so early.  You never know and potential will never take the place of results.   That's what Walker brings you every year.  His style of play will always leave you saying "not sure if he can do that next year".  Like everyone said about Dozier.

 

I appreciate your undying support for Adam Walker, he seems like a great, hardworking Midwestern kid from a great family.  I would argue that Walker's potential is the main thing that keeps him on every bloggers "intriguing" list, the power and athleticism are undeniable.    The flaws in his game at this level are also undeniable.

 

Regarding Cola and Vargas,...  those of us that were skeptical on a 30 year old succeeding from 8 years in Indy ball, there was very little to indicate that what he did would somehow translate to the major leagues.  But regarding Vargas,  I must say that having followed him for the last 3 years, and then especially noticing his major adjustment that he made in late April of this year, which included a very favorable increase in his BB% coupled with a nice reduction in his K%, suggested that he had a decent chance for success at the major league level, and I called for his promotion on the Twins West Coast swing in June when the Twins were short a bat (and chose Hermann, instead)...  not because of any prescience on my part, just that the numbers he was putting up were supported by high contact rates and very solid plate discipline for a guy who came in with a rep as a free-swinging big bopper.  I'm anxious to see Walker take similar steps next season, if he does, he'll get a great deal more respect from the Twins organization than batting 7th in a playoff game.

[lightfoot789]

We will see this time next year.  Similar season and similar commentary.  "AAA will be the level that tells what we can expect from Walker" 

 

BTW - 4 BB (walks) and 2 runs scored in a 8-7 playoff win tonight.

When the lights are on, he has shined brightest...........................  Gotta love all these night games

[jokin]

We will see this time next year.  Similar season and similar commentary.  "AAA will be the level that tells what we can expect from Walker" 

 

BTW - 4 BB (walks) and 2 runs scored in a 8-7 playoff win tonight.

When the lights are on, he has shined brightest...........................  Gotta love all these night games

ABW walked twice against strikeout machine, Pirate phenom,  MLB Top 100, Tyler Glasnow (Glasnow struck out 8 tonight in 3+ IP).  Good for him.  If he can get the K rate down next year, just South of 20% and his BB% just North of 10%, he will be on his way.