Adam Brett Walker, 3rd round 2012 draft

[TRex]

Drafted in the 3rd round (97th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2012 (signed for $490,400)

 

MiLB site: http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=608724

 

 

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Adam Walker 38 | RF

Status: Active

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Cedar Rapids Kernels

Class A Midwest League

MLB Parent Club: Minnesota

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Stats

AVG:

.286HR:

3RBI:

15SB:

0

Bookmark Player

Full Name: Adam Walker

Born: 10/18/1991

Birthplace: Milwaukee, WI

College: Jacksonville

Height: 6' 4"

Weight: 225

Bats: R

Throws: R

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[TRex]

Here are some pertinent (and excellent) posts from last year's Adam Walker adopt-a-prospect page:

 

 

alarp33:

Adam Walker

 

Pos: 1B/LF

 

Ht./Wt.: 6'5"/ 225lbs

 

B/T: R/R

 

Drafted: 2012 - 97th overall out of Jacksonville University

 

Junior Season: Hit .343 w/ a .426 OBP, 14 doubles, 12 home runs and surprisingly for a guy his size 19 stolen bases

 

From MLB Scouting Report:

 

The son of a former NFL running back, Walker looks the part of a future slugger. The question is if he has the baseball skills to get there. There's no question about his pop at the plate. He might have as much raw power as anyone in the Draft class, with some scouts giving him an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also has a very good approach to hitting, though his hitting instincts lag behind. That leaves some wondering if he'll learn to tap into that power consistently enough against advanced pitching. A big, physical specimen, Walker has played both first base and the outfield. His arm is well below average, and while some think he could handle playing left field, his defensive home is up in the air. He draws comparisons to Giancarlo Stanton, both in body type and power potential, but there is some concern that he's a Ferrari with a VW engine.

 

 

Will begin his Professional career in Elizabethton

 

 

 

lightfoot789: http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp...=.jsp&sid=l120

MILB Top Offensive Player in the Post Season for Appalachian League

Seemed to figure it out at the right time.

Appalachian League

Adam Walker

, Elizabethton

(.375/.483/.792

,

6 G, 9-for-24, 1 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 3 SB)

After a slow start, Walker finished the regular season tied for the league lead with 14 home runs. He didn't let up in the playoffs, going deep three more times (and swiping three bases, one shy of his regular-season total) and driving in seven runs in the E-Twins' run to the title. A third-round pick in the 2012 Draft, Walker had hits in each of Elizabethton's six games and fell a triple shy of the cycle in its playoff opener, a 4-0 win at Danville.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

Walker was pretty impressive when I saw him in Cedar Rapids. He did a very nice job in the press conference. Watching him take batting practice is quite the spectacle. He has as much power potential as Miguel Sano. He is so strong. Like many, he'll have to improve his breaking ball recognition. It'll be interesting to see how many homers he can hit this year.

[lightfoot789]

Great game for Adam Brett Walker. 1 Triple and a HR that was crushed according to announcer. Kernels win another one 8-4. He is starting to find his groove during the last 10 games. Hitting over .333 during that span (10 games).

[Seth Stohs]

On Thursday night, Walker hit his third double and his third home run and drove in four runs.

[TRex]

Adam Walker may just be a slow starter...

 

After signing in 2012, his first 30 games in E-town resulted in a not-quite terrible line of (data thanks to GGR):

30/122 4D/2T/4HR 24RBI 43K 8BB .245/.292/.409

 

However, from that point on he HIT his stride:

28/110 3D/2T/10HR 21RBI 33K 11W for a triple/slash of .254/.322/.590

 

As you can see, the power was up and he showed improved plate discipline (although it was still not good).

 

Finally, as noted above, Walker's hot streak continued into the post-season where he batted

.375/.483/.792, 6 G, 9-for-24, 1 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 3 SB and was named the MVP.

 

Similarly, while his first 7 games in the MWL resulted in an unimpressive line of:

5/25 with 2D and no T or HR .200/.259/.259

 

he has been on fire for his last 10 games, at:

13/38 with 1D/1T/3HR .342/.390/.658

 

He is not on any of the leader boards thus far (4/26), but if will be soon if he keeps up this hot streak!

[lightfoot789]

Finally, as noted above, Walker's hot streak continued into the post-season where he batted

.375/.483/.792, 6 G, 9-for-24, 1 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 3 SB and was named the MVP.

TRex

 

 

The ball just jumps off this kids bat. He's my sleeper prospect in this system. AND All the kid does is win!!

GLSCL - Licking County Settlers (Champions / 1st time ever) in 2010

Cape Cod - Hyanis Harbor Hawks (Champions / 1st time in 20+ years) in 2011

Appalachain League (MILB) - Elizabethton Twins (Champions) in 2012

 

He has won a championship in each of the last 3 summer seasons. He was the Top player in 2 of the 3 championships as well. Everyone wants to know if he will be able to figure it out? I'm betting on his record!! Adam Brett Walker = Winner

 

Oh yeah - the Kernels are in first place this season (2013) too --- just saying...........

[lightfoot789]

2 HRs and 7 RBI yesterday for Walker and a replay of 2012 Elizabethton Championship game tonight --- Walker hits a game tying 3 Run HR in the bottom of the 9th and this time Travis Harrison hit the Grand Slam for the Walk Off in the 11th. UnReal !!!

[lightfoot789]

Sano Stats over last 10 games:

BA .289 / 38 AB / 11 R / 11 H / 1 2B / 0 3B / 5 HR / 11 RBI /

4 BB / 13 SO / .357 OBP / .711 SLUG

 

Walker Stats over last 10 games:

BA .385 / 39 AB / 12 R / 15 H / 1 2B / 1 3B / 5 HR / 18 RBI /

5 BB / 10 SO / .467 OBP / .846 SLUG

 

That's alot of production in the power category - I'll take Sano 9 times out of 10, but Walker should get the edge this week for Twins Minor League player of the week. I'm just saying............. Aint that right TRex [TABLE=class: dataTableClass]

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[greengoblinrulz]

I was pimping Walker all last season & even argued that he should have been a top 10 prospect (was for me) & he is showing this year that he is for real. His time in Iowa SHOULD be short lived!!

[kab21]

I was pimping Walker all last season & even argued that he should have been a top 10 prospect (was for me) & he is showing this year that he is for real. His time in Iowa SHOULD be short lived!!

 

It's a nice start but Walker shouldn't have been top ten based on a college player beating up on rk ball pitchers. He also posted a 30% K rate against them.

 

So far this year he's looking awesome but he should move up because he's a college player in low A ball. This brings up another issue. Do you promote Walker or Buxton first?

[lightfoot789]

Walker was one of the youngest college players in the draft last year, so I wouldn't be in a rush to promote him. The average age for the MWL is 21 anyway. He won't be 21 until after instructionals / Fall ball. Besides its a long season. I believe he can keep it up, but we will see?

[drivlikejehu]

He's 21 1/2, which is a little old for a prospect in low A ball. Hopefully he keeps playing well and gets to Fort Myers.

[Seth Stohs]

Just so people have them:

 

Adam Walker is about 21.5 years old...

 

The average age of a Midwest League Hitter is 21.3 years old...

The average age of a Midwest League Pitcher is 21.9 years old...

 

The average age of a Florida State League Hitter is 22.8 years old...

The average age of a Florida State League Pitcher is 23.2 years old...

[greengoblinrulz]

so.....do you/Twins promote due to age (ridiculous IMO) or due to production at the level you're at. Not saying promote him tomorrow, but he's in line with another solid month for June 1st. Love to see how his power translates to pitcher friendly FSL but also playing with Sano (protecting him in lineup).

[kab21]

I'm sorry that I offended some.

 

The biggest reason that there is no way he should have been in anyone's Twins top ten was that he struck 30% of the time last year and posted a .250BA with a .310 OBP. He's interesting because he has massive raw power but that only goes so far.

 

There is age and there is baseball experience. Walker played 3 yrs of college ball. It wasn't a major conference but it's still 3 yrs of college ball and he's up against guys that came out of HS/int'l prospects and played maybe a year of rk ball and appy league ball.

 

Additionally there is prospect age and league filler age. If you compare Walker to the other Twins prospects he is typically 1-2 yrs older than them. One of them that is close is Niko Goodrum but Goodrum was regarded as a really raw prospect out of the draft.

[lightfoot789]

kab21 - I agree that Walker is not worthy of Top 10 Prospect status. I also don't care if a prospect makes his MLB debut at 23 or 25 years old. However long it takes to get the job done once you arrive. If I asked you to tell me the debut age for Albert Pujols; Josh Hamilton; Prince Fielder; Ryan Braun; or Tori Hunter; - could you without looking it up? Some maybe, but probably not, because all that matters is that you produce once you get there. If Walker spent each year in his respective levels - he would be only 25 in his debut. Most 25 year olds should be able to play at least 7-10 more years at a productive level. My point is "age only becomes an issue - when it becomes an issue" Profound I know - All that matters is working at being the best at each level you arrive at (A-A+-AA-AAA-MLB). If you do that regardless of age - You will be productive and fans should / will forget about age.

[lightfoot789]

Production wins championships & make up

[Seth Stohs]

Age to level-of-competition is certainly a piece of the Prospect equation and it should be. However, I do think that people make a little bit too big of a deal of it, especially with first or second year players. Walker is right where he is and ight where he should be at this stage.

 

What happens in Elizabethton has a lot to do with things that aren't necessarily baseball related. It's about adjusting to pro ball, the wood bat, etc., but it's also about having their first official job of their career and such. It's a good place for even the college guys.

 

Walker will move up if he keeps performing. He's playing 19 games in Low A. He wasn't very good the first 10 or so. He's been tremendous the last 5-8 or so. Let's let him sustain that for a little while. He'll likely be promoted at the All Star break at which he'll be like 21.7.

 

Age is a piece, but it's not one to worry about when you're less than 22 or 23.

[kab21]

MLB debut age is not the debate here. Walker has played against more experienced competition for longer than the guys that he is competing against. College players are pretty much expected to do well in rk ball, short season ball and also to an extent in A ball.

[kab21]

I also have no problem with Walker starting last year in the appy league or in CR this year. I'm just not going to get really excited about the numbers that he's putting up. Although he's really hot right now.

[Seth Stohs]

kab21 - I agree that Walker is not worthy of Top 10 Prospect status. I also don't care if a prospect makes his MLB debut at 23 or 25 years old. However long it takes to get the job done once you arrive. If I asked you to tell me the debut age for Albert Pujols; Josh Hamilton; Prince Fielder; Ryan Braun; or Tori Hunter; - could you without looking it up? Some maybe, but probably not, because all that matters is that you produce once you get there. If Walker spent each year in his respective levels - he would be only 25 in his debut. Most 25 year olds should be able to play at least 7-10 more years at a productive level. My point is "age only becomes an issue - when it becomes an issue" Profound I know - All that matters is working at being the best at each level you arrive at (A-A+-AA-AAA-MLB). If you do that regardless of age - You will be productive and fans should / will forget about age.

 

Very well stated, and Walker is not a Top 10 guy for me either... yet. As someone with the Twins once told me, their job is not to get them to the big leagues quickly. It's for them to be ready and prepared when they get there.

 

I too could care less if a guy debuts as a 22 year old or a 25 years old. I find it funny when people say that Dozier was old for his level of competition but he debuted in the big leagues at 24. Kyle Gibson will likely be 25 and that's only because Tommy John delayed his debut by about 2 years. Now, Hall of Famers may make it when they're 20 or 21 or so, but Jamey Carroll made it to the big leagues when he was 28 and has been around for 12 years.

 

Mauer made it at 20... he's a Hall of Famer. Arcia made it at 21. I hope Colabello makes it at 29!

[ashbury]

He wasn't very good the first 10 or so. He's been tremendous the last 5-8 or so. Let's let him sustain that for a little while.

 

Has he been channeling Aaron Hicks?

 

I'm with you on the age thing. Give any player a season or maybe even two to mess up and learn from; coaches' input, more than stats, should rule. Around season three, comparing batting stats and age and league level starts to matter. By age 26 or so, no more scholarships - either he produces or he's gone. For college players making the transition to pros, this gives a short window. For high school age guys coming in, there's a very long period where it may not be clear whether he is worth a 40-man spot or not.

[greengoblinrulz]

Remembering back, when I said top 10....I think I had him10/11 before we got Meyer/May, so I stand by top 15. I wish they would push some draftees more in their draft yr, but ELIZ was fine. MN tends to handle college guys as slowly as HS draftees, when they are separate types of players as far as maturity. As streaky as he is, he needs maybe another month to prove this week isn't a fluke.....but guys with MUCH less numbers get promoted. Im not saying rush a prospect, but when a guy has shown he can easily handle a level...get him promoted rather than goin by age/level/etc rather than waiting for a guy to fail to justify your decision to wait a full season.

[drivlikejehu]

Walker lasted until the third round because he has significant vulnerabilities in his approach/swing. His power has never been in question. There's nothing wrong with where the Twins have assigned him (and I liked the pick a lot) - it just means that his numbers have to be taken in context.

[jokin]

Walker lasted until the third round because he has significant vulnerabilities in his approach/swing. His power has never been in question. There's nothing wrong with where the Twins have assigned him (and I liked the pick a lot) - it just means that his numbers have to be taken in context.

 

So did David Ortiz. Walker is the same height and frame, I hope they give him every chance to rise through the minors, his RH bat might be a good fit at DH in Target Field.

[lightfoot789]

So did David Ortiz. Walker is the same height and frame, I hope they give him every chance to rise through the minors, his RH bat might be a good fit at DH in Target Field.

 

No Doubt, but I think he has a little more versatility than Ortiz. A better athlete and better looking speciman at same age. As far as levels and expectations (That's up to management - not fans)

 

Most people evaluate players - By production and consistency. Success in the minors is about dominating your currrent level and improving in areas your organization expects you to. Walker has cut down his strike out rate to 22% as of todays game. Last year he was at 33%. The kid deserves credit for that (for now). His average has also improved by 40+ points in the process. It's all about development and he seems to be working in right direction.

[jokin]

No Doubt, but I think he has a little more versatility than Ortiz. A better athlete and better looking speciman at same age. As far as levels and expectations (That's up to management - not fans)

 

Most people evaluate players - By production and consistency. Success in the minors is about dominating your currrent level and improving in areas your organization expects you to. Walker has cut down his strike out rate to 22% as of todays game. Last year he was at 33%. The kid deserves credit for that (for now). His average has also improved by 40+ points in the process. It's all about development and he seems to be working in right direction.

 

I was going to say "and a better athlete" (at least by my eye test), but I thought it might end up in online dispute. I'll go with your assessment, but I'm not sure yet about how versatile he might end up being. Regardless, excellent point about opportunities for improvement- a 22% K rate for a power-hitting DH would be more than acceptable (Ortiz's career K rate is 18.1%)

[TRex]

I understand they may be the same size, and you are looking at a 'best case scenario; but I don't think you can say that Ortiz had Walker's 'significant vulnerabilities in his swing'. Ortiz hit .332 with an OBP of .403 as a 19 year old in rookie ball and at 20 hit .322 with an OBP of .390 in the MWL.

[TRex]

DOH! I lost my update on Walker last night... the highlights included the following points:

 

1) I agree that Walker should be the Twin's ML hitter of the week.

2) In 5 games during the week of 4/21 to 4/27, he was 9/22 with 1D, 1T, 5HR and 16RBI (.409/.480/1.227; OPS 1.707!).

3) He walked 3 times and struck out only 4 times.His torrid week has rocketed him to the top of the MWL in HR and RBI (as of 4/28).

4) His strikeout rate for the season is now <20% (19.2%), which is more than acceptable.