Is Adam Walker UNDERrated, or OVERrated?

[diehardtwinsfan]

yeah, I fail to see how it is that he won't start in Rochester next season.

[Thrylos]

For a lot of those kids, if they are not going to make it to the MLB, Chattanooga, TN is a bit more palatable place to be in April than Rochester NY.

 

Hunter retired or not, the Twins will have numbers issues at the OF again this season, even if they do not sign or re-sign any MiLB FAs (and they will...)

[Monkeypaws]

 

K's vsBB's.  meh, he's still learning.

 

This has been my point exactly - he get promoted, he jacks and whiffs phenomenally, repeat.

 

What happens when he settles, that's what I'm looking at.

[Nick Nelson]

There's just not much precedent for someone who strikes out that much in the minors finding their way in the majors. The power potential is undeniable. We haven't seen many players come through this organization with that kind of raw pop.

[TNLooky2015]

I have often thought that Walkers problem was not that he swung and missed a lot, but that he takes so many called strikes early in the count and puts himself in must protect situations.  Those situations (down in the count) tend to create more bad decisions, especially when one is trying to protect.  

 

I personally think he needs to swing more - Just early in the count and not letting strikes run over the plate because they are not the perfect pitch.  I predict his average and production will increase oddly enough.  If you have swing and miss issues - Don't take so many pitches for called strikes.  He probably saw as many pitches per AB as any player on the Lookout roster.  For that reason - underrated

[nyazbeck]

Well... I tried to think of someone who strikes out a lot in the majors and still has some success. Chris Carter comes to mind. He had about a 28 percent K rate through the minors and in AA ball as well.  34.8 percent in AA for Walker does not look good and there is not going to be a lot, if any comparisons to that. 

So I guess he's overrated, but I'm still hopeful.

if Walker is in a lineup that he is protected he is much better off when sano and buxton were around him he was a much better hitter i believe he was hitting .278 at one point this season

[mudcat14]

I have no idea what Twins personnel think of ABWII's future, but does it mean anything that he typically hit 6th (behind Harrison & Hicks) for the Lookouts?  He has been in the 7 or 8 hole in the AFL.

[Willihammer]

The precedent isn't there but we're in an era that emphasizes strikeouts and big velo like never before. It doesn't feel completely fair to compare K-rate to players from 6 or 7 years ago even.

 

If you watch the Mayo/Callis preview of Twins prospects at the AFL, there's an intereview with ABW where he uses the phrase "continue to work on my plate discipline." I doubt Mark Reynolds and other players with that profile from 5-10 years ago had that same focus. So I'm encouraged by his attitude and if the blip in BB% this year is any indication, maybe that is the start of a trend where those efforts begin to bear fruit.

[jimbo92107]

There are two main ways for ABW to improve: 1) Pitch selection, and 2) Contact percentage. 

 

With practice, preparation and good coaching, Walker has a chance to improve both those aspects of his hitting. He can study the tendencies of each starting pitcher, which will give him a better idea where to expect pitches in certain situations. He can work on shortening his swing and on hitting junk, like whiffle balls thrown from ten feet. He can refine his pitch recognition. add a flatter "contact" swing for 2-strike situations. 

 

I see no reason why further training can't make Walker a better hitter. I assume the man can learn. I'm sure he wants to. I would definitely keep him around. Heck, I'd hire Chili Davis to coach him. Davis is the closest comp I've seen to Walker. 

[HitInAPinch]

 

I have no idea what Twins personnel think of ABWII's future, but does it mean anything that he typically hit 6th (behind Harrison & Hicks) for the Lookouts?  He has been in the 7 or 8 hole in the AFL.

I would say no to both. 

[HitInAPinch]

 

 

There's just not much precedent for someone who strikes out that much in the minors finding their way in the majors. The power potential is undeniable. We haven't seen many players come through this organization with that kind of raw pop.

I'm not even sure how to look that up.  The only 2 I could think of were Dave Kingman [ biggest upper cut I've ever seen ] and Jim Thome [ who was an hitting freak ].  And their MiLB stints were pretty brief. 

[sane]

"I'm working on my plate discipline and trying to get pitches to hit up in the zone," he said. "Sometimes I have a tendency to chase stuff in the dirt, so I'm looking for more pitches up in the zone and making sure I don't miss them.

"I'm trying to stay short and not get too big," he added, "and making sure I'm getting the barrel to the ball and sticking to my approach."

 

IMO, If ABW stays focused on the two items above, he will prove that he was UNDER-rated

[ashbury]

We haven't seen many players come through this organization with that kind of raw pop.

I'm fairly high on him as a prospect, despite the breath-taking K numbers. But as far as "raw pop" goes, is he really in rare company, or has he made the conscious choice to accentuate this one (undeniably strong) aspect of his game to a far greater degree than almost anyone else, and strikeouts be damned?

[BoomBoom]

It's crazy, because he seldom looks like he over swings.  His swing looks slow half the time but when he hits it - It doesn't look or sound like other hitters.  

[Hrbowski]

Neither, in my opinion.

[TNLooky2015]

Like someone said - It only matters what the Twins think (Under or Overrated?)

[Secondary User]

 

Walker's BB% has been increasing every year and is above average now, as more pitchers recognize his power he'll walk more. 

 

His walk rate is not great considering the power tools he has.  And again, his K/BB ratio is still atrocious.  His strikeouts need to come down by a big chunk (talking 15%) and his BB% still needs to continue to climb

[BoomBoom]

Because he has stolen 36 out of 45 bases (80% success rate) as a professional and still gets down played for his athletic ability at times - I say underrated.

 

65% as a minor leaguer - Eddie Rosario

77% as a minor leaguer - Byron Buxton

83% as a minor leaguer - Max Kepler

 

ABW is a better athlete than given credit for IMO.  He scores from 1st base routinely on doubles down the line.

 

 

[GMinTraining]

AFL SEASON

Played 13 of 20 games

 

.306 BA

.414 OBP

.633 SLG

1.046 OPS

 

2nd in HRs

2nd in RBI

2nd in SO

 

Team in 1st Place

 

same dude - same results

 

See Burdi - Garver and Walker tonight at 6:00 MST

AFL Fall Star Game

[GMinTraining]

ABW II - AFL SEASON
Played 15 of 23 games

League Rankings

.298 BA  (21st)
.403 OBP (9th)
.632 SLG (4th)
1.035 OPS (4th)

4th in TB  (36)

2nd in HRs (5)
2nd in RBI  (17)

2nd in SO (22)

9th in BB  (8)

Team in 1st Place

same dude - same results

 

Just Win Baby

[GMinTraining]

Mad Max AFL Numbers (2014) - Maybe the AFL does serve as a spring board

 

Max Kepler SRR CF  75  13  23  4  3  0  7  33  6  14  3  0 .366 .440 .307 .806

G 18

AB    75

R      13

H   23

2B   4

3B   3

HR   0

RBI   7

TB  33

BB   6

SO   14

OBP  .366

SLG   .440

BA    .307

OPS   .806

[BoomBoom]

 

ABW II - AFL SEASON
Played 15 of 23 games

League Rankings

.298 BA  (21st)
.403 OBP (9th)
.632 SLG (4th)
1.035 OPS (4th)

4th in TB  (36)

2nd in HRs (5)
2nd in RBI  (17)

2nd in SO (22)

9th in BB  (8)

Team in 1st Place

same dude - same results

 

Just Win Baby

I believe ABW II is getting traded - There is no place for him in the outfield as it currently plays out and they just paid for a new millionaire DH for the next few years.  Despite a possible springboard AFL season.  Would be a bad move IMO

[Major League Ready]

 

I believe ABW II is getting traded - There is no place for him in the outfield as it currently plays out and they just paid for a new millionaire DH for the next few years.  Despite a possible springboard AFL season.  Would be a bad move IMO

They have a year or two before he becomes a minor league free agent so they are not forced to make a move.  His current trajectory works out well if you ask me.  Put him at AAA and see what happens with Buxton, Rosario, Kepler, and Arcia.  If they all pan out, halleluiah, figure out which ones to keep if we ever get to this enviable position. 

 

What if Mauer is even worse this year?  I really hope he bounces back but if he needs to go if he continues to decline.  Then, Park goes to first and AB Walker/Arcia are your DH and 4th outfielder.  I don’t see a problem

[diehardtwinsfan]

yeah, I could see Walker being part of some trade talks if the other team wants him, but I doubt the Twins are actively shoping him.  He's got 3 option years remaining and enough upside that unless someone else is really high on him and wants to give us something we desparately need right now, he's going to be a Twin for a couple more seasons.  I agree there's a glut here, but Walker, Buxton, and Kepler all have their own quesiton marks. If they all pan out, yeah, someone gets traded.  But it's better to hold all of them and use the ones that pan out vs. trading one prematurely and finding out you sent the wrong guy packing. 

[GMinTraining]

Ranking the Top 10 MLB Prospects Making Waves in Offseason Leagues
By Luke Strickland , Featured Columnist Nov 14, 2015

 

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2589031-ranking-the-top-10-mlb-prospects-making-waves-in-offseason-leagues

 

AFL Stats: 16 G, .300/.400/.617, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 1.017 OPS

Is there a more exciting prospect in the minor leagues than Minnesota's Adam Brett Walker?

The talented outfielder burst on the scene with a 25-homer season in High-A in 2014. Walker was promoted to Double-A in 2015, and proceeded to mash 31 homers and drive in 106 runs this past season.

 

With his power, as in most cases, comes high strikeout totals. According to MLB.com, Walker's ability to curtail his swings-and-misses will dictate just how far he can progress:

Power, obviously, is what evaluators would call Walker's carrying tool. He has as much power potential as anyone in the Twins system not named Sano. He's also struck out in over 25 percent of his plate appearances as a pro, and therein lies the rub. How will Walker continue to tap into that prodigious raw power if he can't make enough contact? It remains to be seen, though he hit for power even with the move to Double-A in 2015.

 

Even with the K's, Walker has established himself has one of the most intriguing players in the minors. While in the AFL this season, he's continued to pad his resume with five homers and 17 RBI in 16 games.

 

Power like Walker's doesn't grow on trees. He's displayed it at every level of the minors, including against top-notch pitchers in the AFL, which bodes well moving forward.

 

 

Good to see ABW II getting some love on a national level.

[TNLooky2015]

Ranking the Top 10 MLB Prospects Making Waves in Offseason Leagues

By Luke Strickland , Featured Columnist Nov 14, 2015

 

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2589031-ranking-the-top-10-mlb-prospects-making-waves-in-offseason-leagues

 

AFL Stats: 16 G, .300/.400/.617, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 1.017 OPS

 

 

Good to see ABW II getting some love on a national level.

 

Agreed

[AKTwins]

Comparison, how about jack cust?

[TNLooky2015]

Comparison, how about jack cust?

Except it took Cust 9 minor league years to equal the totals Walker had in 4. But I get your point.

[Major League Ready]

The odds against seem pretty steep but how great would it be if AB Walker significantly improved his pitch recognition.  He is big trouble if you have to throw it over the plate.  A 3-6 off Kepler/Sano/Park and AB Walker could be SCARY!  Is it not about time the Twins get lucky with players developing.

[ThejacKmp]

 

AFL SEASON
Played 13 of 20 games

.306 BA
.414 OBP
.633 SLG
1.046 OPS

2nd in HRs
2nd in RBI
2nd in SO

Team in 1st Place

same dude - same results

See Burdi - Garver and Walker tonight at 6:00 MST
AFL Fall Star Game

 

I enjoy that the game was quoted in Mountain Standard Time. You see people talk about EST or PST and even "central" but I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen someone say things in terms of MST. I'm going to start doing this.