Article: Adam Walker: Power and Potential

[clutterheart]

He has the power tool and fielding tool but man he strikes out a lot. His lack of improvement in that area continues to be a big red flag.

 

But boy he seems like a good guy. Hope he can improve.

[highlander]

I'll take a .220ba with 25 big flys, and a duck hunter any day

[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

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

[Ncgo4]

In an earlier post someone said he is hitting around .400 with bases loaded and very well with runners in scoring position is key. It might mean that when he concentrates he can be very succesful. It may also mean that when he bats in a non-high reward situation he has a much more cavalier attitude. This should be something that is coachable.

[diehardtwinsfan]

In an earlier post someone said he is hitting around .400 with bases loaded and very well with runners in scoring position is key. It might mean that when he concentrates he can be very succesful. It may also mean that when he bats in a non-high reward situation he has a much more cavalier attitude. This should be something that is coachable.

 

I'd agree, but those also tend to be fastball situations as well. Walker can destroy fastballs in the zone. He needs to learn to lay off breaking pitches out of the zone and be able to do something with the ones in the zone. As he progresses, he's going to see much better breaking pitches. I really hope he figures it out, because if he does, he's going to be a star.

[Jim H]

It is easy to root for Walker but the contact issues are a huge concern. When you add in plate discipline issues as well, it is hard to see him as a top prospect, yet. When you compare him to say Arcia, Arcia is struggling with contact issues in the majors, yet was able to hit for average at every level as well as show comparable power to Walker.

 

 

I hope Walker figures some things out, but I feel that Adam Dunn type players are somewhat overrated. Their production generally comes in bunches, with long stretches of time where they not only almost worthless offensively but are often a drag on the team if they have no defensive value or aren't walking much.

 

 

I suspect there is some hope for Walker because he is considered a good athlete rather than just a bat, like several other prospects in the Twins system. I am also sure he will get opportunities, he certainly has a high ceiling.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'll take a .220ba with 25 big flys, and a duck hunter any day

 

A .220 BA, with very few walks and 25 HR's would be a pretty awful hitter. That would be like Adam Dunn without the OBP and half the power. Yikes.

[stringer bell]

Walker has to mature as a hitter, IMHO. This might mean that he is a guy who can be pitched to, but who pounds "mistake pitches". If he can turn a bunch of mistakes into long balls, he can be successful at any level. The other piece in the puzzle is to be more selective, without losing too much aggressiveness. It's tough to thread the needle, but some hitters can and do succeed despite high K numbers.

 

Also, it helps that Walker has good speed, and a good arm. He should develop into an above-average outfielder who can steal a few bags in addition to having plus-plus power.

[lightfoot789]

What is the rationale for getting on base at a lesser rate than most (low OBP), but scoring more than most in the league? This again has been a pattern yearly and not a lucky phenomenon.

 

if he were able to repeat this improbable series of performances like he has throughout the minors thus far, (.250 BA - .300 OBP - 150 Ks - 90+ Runs - 30+ HRs - 110+ RBI) at the MLB level, would you want him in the Twins lineup? Just YES or NO and why?

[diehardtwinsfan]

What is the rationale for getting on base at a lesser rate than most (low OBP), but scoring more than most in the league? This again has been a pattern yearly and not a lucky phenomenon.

 

if he were able to repeat this improbable series of performances like he has throughout the minors thus far, (.250 BA - .300 OBP - 150 Ks - 90+ Runs - 30+ HRs - 110+ RBI) at the MLB level, would you want him in the Twins lineup? Just YES or NO and why?

 

The extra-base hits are likely what's driving this. He's been consistently among the home run leaders for his league in his career, so that right there is going to count for a lot of runs scored. I'm not sure I'd put a .300 OBP in the middle of the order. My fear is that he's going to kill a lot of rallies too. That production at the lower part of the order would be a bit more acceptable, except that he's not going to get the RBIs batting down there.

[drivlikejehu]

if he were able to repeat this improbable series of performances like he has throughout the minors thus far, (.250 BA - .300 OBP - 150 Ks - 90+ Runs - 30+ HRs - 110+ RBI) at the MLB level, would you want him in the Twins lineup? Just YES or NO and why?

 

How about this question - has any player in MLB history shown a special ability to score runs despite a horrible OBP? Could you point out such a player for us?

 

Or is Walker unique in the history of professional baseball? He just magically scores a lot of runs?

[lightfoot789]

The extra-base hits are likely what's driving this. He's been consistently among the home run leaders for his league in his career, so that right there is going to count for a lot of runs scored. I'm not sure I'd put a .300 OBP in the middle of the order. My fear is that he's going to kill a lot of rallies too. That production at the lower part of the order would be a bit more acceptable, except that he's not going to get the RBIs batting down there.

 

That's a fair assessment. If you take away all the self runs (19) scored due to HRs, he is still leading team in RBIs by 4. Take away same 19 runs scored and he has 31 runs scored as opposed to his 50. Take away his teammates HRs in the same fashion and he is 5th on the team in runs scored instead of 2nd. That being said- "if ifs and buts were candy and nuts .................." [just joking] Can't dismiss the fact that he still leads team in RBI even after you take away all 19 HR (self) RBI. That's impressive to me. Especially since that would have been the case last year as we'll. Consistency

[lightfoot789]

How about this question - has any player in MLB history shown a special ability to score runs despite a horrible OBP? Could you point out such a player for us?

 

Or is Walker unique in the history of professional baseball? He just magically scores a lot of runs?

 

Good question!

Walker is a career .308 OBP guy. Without knowing any of these players OBP this season, would you want them on your Twins (regardless to salary), based on a particular skill set or reputation?

 

Billy Hamilton

Trevor Plouffe

Xander Bogaerts

Jay Bruce

Nick Castellanos

Elvis Andrus

Chris Davis (1st place Baltimore)

JJ Hardy (1st place Baltimore)

Tori Hunter (12 HR and 52 RBI)

khris Davis (1st place Brewers 14 HR & 47 RBI)

y. Cespedes (1st place Oakland)

Allen Craig (1st place Cards)

 

All with an OBP under .315

If you heard the Twins acquired any of the above without giving up something, what would be your first reaction? Before you looked at intangibles. If excited - you have to fairly ask yourself WHY?

[Mr. Brooks]

Good question!

Walker is a career .308 OBP guy. Without knowing any of these players OBP this season, would you want them on your Twins (regardless to salary), based on a particular skill set or reputation?

 

Billy Hamilton

Trevor Plouffe

Xander Bogaerts

Jay Bruce

Nick Castellanos

Elvis Andrus

Chris Davis (1st place Baltimore)

JJ Hardy (1st place Baltimore)

Tori Hunter (12 HR and 52 RBI)

khris Davis (1st place Brewers 14 HR & 47 RBI)

y. Cespedes (1st place Oakland)

Allen Craig (1st place Cards)

 

All with an OBP under .315

If you heard the Twins acquired any of the above without giving up something, what would be your first reaction? Before you looked at intangibles. If excited - you have to fairly ask yourself WHY?

 

Shouldn't you be comparing players with a similar OBP through A+, rather than a similar OBP in a down season at MLB level?

Seems like apples to race cars to me.

[lightfoot789]

My point is that despite a down year - Would you be happy with the production from these players in a down year as you say it? Many MLB players have a very similar OBP in MLB that they had as a minor league OBP average.