Article: Q&A With Twins Outfield Prospect Adam Brett Walker

[Seth Stohs]

Adam Brett Walker has been a very polarizing figure in the forums of Twins Daily. Yes, there are the strikeouts, but he has immense power. In 2015, he hit .239/.309/.498 (.807) with 31 doubles, 31 homers and 106 RBI. He led the Southern League in extra-base hits, home runs and RBI. And strikeouts. He has led his league in homers and RBI the last three years. He had a solid showing in the Arizona Fall League and last month he was added to the Twins 40-man roster.

 

Walker just turned 24 in October and will head to big league spring training for the first time in February. He was the Twins third-round draft pick in 2012 out of Jacksonville University which is where he spends a lot of his offseason time. However, he is a Milwaukee native so he won’t be intimidated by the weather in Minneapolis when he makes his first trip to Twins Fest next month.Recently, Adam Brett Walker was willing to answer several questions for Twins Daily. Feel free to comment below.

 

 

Seth Stohs (SS): What was that adjustment from the Florida State League to the Southern League like for you?

 

Adam Brett Walker (ABW): I think the biggest change was the abilities for pitchers to have more control over their third and fourth pitches. They attacked the zone more and their misses were much smaller.

 

SS: What were your thoughts when you got the invite to the Arizona Fall League? What were your hopes going into the Fall League?

 

ABW: When I found out I was going to the AFL, I was very excited. I heard a lot of great things about the league. I knew there was going to be some very good competition and was looking forward to the challenge and see how it went.

 

SS: Now that the AFL season is complete, you won a championship, and have had a little time away from it, what was the experience like there, and did you learn anything about yourself through it?

 

ABW: It was an awesome experience on and off the field. It’s fun to be able to have new teammates and create friendships. We were able to try and learn from each other and help. Overall I was pretty happy with the way I played. Besides, the last week I was definitely happy. Was able to finish with winning a championship so that always helps.

 

SS: You’ve won championships in Elizabethton (2012), Ft. Myers (2014), Chattanooga (2015) and Scottsdale (2015), and that Cedar Rapids team had the best record in the Midwest League in 2013. What does that say about you and your teammates and coaches, and how much fun is it to be part of a team where winning a championship is realistic?

 

ABW: It is an awesome feeling to have been able to have been on so many winning teams. I've always been pretty competitive so I love winning. I've been with a lot of the same guys throughout my professional career with the Twins, and I believe we have created a winning mentality and expect to win wherever we go. In the AFL, I was lucky to have such a great group of guys on my team. I think we all came together as a team and decided we wanted to stay and win it all in the beginning. When a group of people decide to play as a team and expects to win every day it becomes very fun to play the game.

 

SS: What do you do with all of the rings?

 

ABW: I personally don't wear my rings very often but I am starting a nice collection that I definitely enjoy looking at. I want to keep working hard so I can add more to the collection.

 

SS: You worked with Doug Mientkiewicz and Chad Allen the last two years. What does each bring to the table for your teams, and individually, how does each help bring out the best in you?

 

ABW: Doug and Chad are two great coaches that I know what they want for us and push us to succeed. Doug has been very fun to play for as a manager. He loves to let us have fun as a team and enjoy coming to the field every day. He also holds the bar high and expects us to go out there and play our best every night. if we aren't playing to the best of our abilities, he will let us know. But that is why I respect him as a manager. Chad as a hitting coach is awesome as well. He has always been there for me to talk or go to the cage and work on things. He is very open to our thoughts as players and tries to learn from us as well. There is a lot of knowledge on the coaching staffs I've been on, and they love to help us become the best we can be.

 

SS: How did you find out about being added to the 40-man roster?

 

ABW: I was in Arizona at the time, and it was an off day so I had some time to relax at my apartment with my roommate. I received a phone call, and they talked to me about their selection to put me on the 40-man roster. It was a very exciting moment for me and a definite honor.

 

SS: What's the plan for the rest of the offseason? How long before you start getting into baseball activities?

 

ABW: I have been enjoying some time off after the AFL, spending time with my family and friends. It's been a crazy but fun offseason traveling around from Arizona to Wisconsin and a couple other places. I am enjoying this time, but I am starting to get back into baseball mode. After the holiday season, it will be time to really focus and get ready for spring training.

 

SS: Are you looking forward to being at Twins Fest? Since you’re from Milwaukee, I can’t even scare you with tales of cold and snow storms!

 

ABW: I am very excited for Twins Fest. I've heard it is a very fun time but very cold. I think I will be able to handle it though after growing up in Wisconsin. I am definitely looking forward to Twins Fest though.

 

SS: What are you most looking forward to in your first big league spring training?

 

ABW: First, I think spring training will be a great opportunity for me to show my talents and skills. I am definitely looking forward to being around and learning from guys though. Being able to see how some have been so successful for such a long time. You can learn a lot from just watching how players prepare for a season and day-to-day routines that may be able to help me. There is a lot of knowledge on the big league side, and I will always want to learn how to make myself a better player.

 

A big Thank You to Adam Brett Walker for taking his time to answer our questions today. Feel free to discuss or ask questions below.

 

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[HitInAPinch]

I'm not all that concerned about the K's at this point.  However, I do think this year ABW needs to work on his PA's and get those strikeouts under control.  Under 100 would be nice.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm not all that concerned about the K's at this point.  However, I do think this year ABW needs to work on his PA's and get those strikeouts under control.  Under 100 would be nice.

 

That would be nice... but to move up a level and the cut your strikeouts in half seems a bit much. How about 150? maybe 160?

[slash129]

 

I'm not all that concerned about the K's at this point.  However, I do think this year ABW needs to work on his PA's and get those strikeouts under control.  Under 100 would be nice.

Having Edwin Encarnacion at AAA would be awesome

[Mike Sixel]

Thanks for taking the time!

 

I have been moving more and more to the "he'll find a way to succeed in the majors" side lately. 

[Loosey]

I think the floor for ABW will be super high quality bench bat. 

 

Would be nice to have a pinch hitter come in the late innings down a run or two knowing he can put the ball in the seats on any given pitch. 

 

I think the ceiling is poor man's Chris Davis.  Most likely lower OB and batting average, less walks, similar strikeout numbers, probably slightly less HRs, more versatile defensively. 

[amjgt]

 

I'm not all that concerned about the K's at this point.  However, I do think this year ABW needs to work on his PA's and get those strikeouts under control.  Under 100 would be nice.

 

I did the math on this a while back, but if he magically cut his K's in half, he would project to be an annual MVP candidate. 

 

Edited to add:

 

Here's the link to the math: http://twinsdaily.com/topic/18595-adam-brett-walker-ii-my-case/

 

That was in June, so the numbers are from roughly a half season. If I have time today, I'll do a similar thing for his full season.

Edited December 23, 2015 by amjgt

[diehardtwinsfan]

Given the following he has here, Seth should have encouraged him to setup an account

 

That said, good luck to him. I do agree that he needs to cut down on the Ks and increase the BBs.  If he does that, he's going to be a downright scary major leaguer.

[GMinTraining]

 

 

That said, good luck to him. I do agree that he needs to cut down on the Ks and increase the BBs.  If he does that, he's going to be a downright scary major leaguer.

Agreed - Couldn't have said it better

[Monkeypaws]

 

That would be nice... but to move up a level and the cut your strikeouts in half seems a bit much. How about 150? maybe 160?

As long as he keeps moving up and raking, I don't care if the strikeouts stay the same.

 

I am hoping when he repeats a level(hopefully (MLB), then we will see a drop in the Ks. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

As long as he keeps moving up and raking, I don't care if the strikeouts stay the same.

 

I am hoping when he repeats a level(hopefully (MLB), then we will see a drop in the Ks. 

 

This is my hope as well... 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Given the following he has here, Seth should have encouraged him to setup an account

 

Who knows? Maybe he already has a registered account and has been monitoring these forums at Twins Daily all year long!

[Guest]

Like so many other Twins farmhands, he is such a good guy that he's so easy to root for. If he can find success, he will be an instant fan-favorite. I'm really pulling for him.

[goulik]

Who knows? Maybe he already has a registered account and has been monitoring these forums at Twins Daily all year long!

Are you saying he's just another lurker?

[goulik]

As long as he keeps moving up and raking, I don't care if the strikeouts stay the same.

 

I am hoping when he repeats a level(hopefully (MLB), then we will see a drop in the Ks.

 

If he can keep getting 100 plus RBI's with each level, then Heck yeah!

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Really encouraging answers from ABW. While I would be tickled pink if he cut down his k rate, at least ks don't become double plays

[ashbury]

Really encouraging answers from ABW. While I would be tickled pink if he cut down his k rate, at least ks don't become double plays

Yes, this is why teams pay no attention to the K/9 rates for their pitchers.

[TNLooky2015]

I'm impressed that he hits as many doubles as he does home runs.  Plus he's stolen 36 out of 45 bases as a professional (80% success rate).  That tells me he is athletic enough to play in the OF.  Time will tell.

[Tom Froemming]

You can live with the strikeouts as long as he can live up to his surname and keep drawing more free passes and consistently work deep counts. Walker has increased his walks from 31 to 44 to 51 the past three years. Baby steps, yes, but it's encouraging to see improvement continue as he faces tougher pitching.

[BoomBoom]

ISO according to Fangraph

ISO = SLG – AVG

ISO = ((2B) + (2*3B) + (3*HR)) / AB

ISO = Extra Bases / At-Bats

 

Rating ISO
Excellent  - 0.250
Great  - 0.200
Above Average  - 0.170
Average  - 0.140
Below Average  - 0.120
Poor  - 0.100
Awful  - 0.080

 

ABW II MiLB ISO

Rookie - .246

Low A - .248

High A - .190

AA - .259

AFL - .253

 

Excited to see some of that extra base hit power come to Target Field

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

That would be nice... but to move up a level and the cut your strikeouts in half seems a bit much. How about 150? maybe 160?

 

He shouldn't need to cut them in half. Even a 20% drop would be pretty significant.  Yeah, there will still be a lot out of outs in there, but a few more singles and maybe a couple walks would go a long way towards writing a ticket to Minnesota. I suspect he will be there at some point this year or next.

[GMinTraining]

Just throwing this out there:

 

What if Walker completely out hits Park in ST and/or AAA?  Do you promote him as the DH or do you stay with Park because you gave him 3 million+?

 

Both are essentially upper level prospects............................

[ashbury]

He shouldn't need to cut them in half. Even a 20% drop would be pretty significant. 

His SO have been climbing so fast as the competition quality increased.  High-A was 28% of PA, AA was 35%, AzFL was 40%.

 

And you're right. If we take 35% as his current baseline and if he could take back out 20% of that, and apply a 30% BABIP because he's now putting those balls in play (and/or walking), that's about .020 of OBP. That is enough to make an important difference in a career.

 

Or of course you can just go by rules of thumb and say that he shouldn't strike out at historic rates like that.

[BoomBoom]

His SO rate dropped each year while in college.  2 years in the MLB and he will flourish IMO

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Yes, this is why teams pay no attention to the K/9 rates for their pitchers.

we're not talking about pitchers. Ya you're right , k/9 is a great way to measure a pitchers individual effectiveness in ways that ground outs are more of a team effort.

 

We're talking about hitters. If your getting a 250 batting average, would you rather Plouffe and Mauer who hit into double plays 25% of the time, or Sano and ABW who K 25% of the time?

 

I prefer the latter, esp w/ the power that accompanies.

[Thrylos]

The one question that needed to be asked, was not:  Packer's fan?

 

I think that Walker is at the Steve Balboni - Jay Buhner line.  If his K rate continues to climb, if he does not take any walks, and his defense does not make any strides, he will be more like Balboni.   If he makes a decent improvement in all will be more like Buhner.  That's his ceiling.  Not that bad.  But we are not talking Sano here.  We are not even talking Vargas, as a matter of fact (other than defense.)

[ashbury]

would you rather Plouffe and Mauer who hit into double plays 25% of the time

What is a number like that based upon?

 

Joe had 22 GIDP in 666 plate appearances this past season. Trevor led the league with 28, in 632. Obviously that's not close to 25%, so we must be talking about fewer PA.

 

Focusing for simplicity on the greater DP threat, Trevor, I see on his b-r.com splits page that he had 48 PA all season where it was one out and only a man on first. 13 GIDP came from that, which is a 27% rate. Inning over, a very bad outcome, for those times. A strikeout (he also did those sometimes ) is bad too, but not as bad.

 

There were also (if I added in my head correctly) 78 other PA with any combination of a man on first (and/or other bases) with fewer than 2 outs, from which came the other 15 DP. That's under 20%. A strikeout is bad too, but not as bad.

 

And then there are the other 506 times Trevor came to bat, when a DP was a very remote possibility if at all. (Indeed none of his DP that season came when no one was on first.) That's 0%. A strikeout is worse in all those situations, by not even putting the ball in play for a chance involving your BABIP, nor adding a baserunner via a walk.

 

If choosing a pinch hitter, sure, one would factor these chances in with the particular situation. For the starting lineup, hopefully what we're mostly talking about here, one is kind of stuck with the situational luck of the draw through the course of the game.

 

The DP rips your heart out that inning. Strikeouts are death by a thousand (OK, one or two hundred) cuts, representing missed opportunity. Over the long season, I don't see the DP as markedly more deadly.

[TNLooky2015]

 

Just throwing this out there:

 

What if Walker completely out hits Park in ST and/or AAA?  Do you promote him as the DH or do you stay with Park because you gave him 3 million+?

 

Both are essentially upper level prospects............................

 

You know I would go with Walker

 

Merry Christmas Everyone

[HitInAPinch]

 

That would be nice... but to move up a level and the cut your strikeouts in half seems a bit much. How about 150? maybe 160?

Another year of experience, moving up a level to a better quality of pitchers i.e. more pitches in the strikezone?  I can see a pretty good drop in K's, which, hopefully, show and increase in BA, W and OBP.

K's?  195 is too many at any level.  I'm a believe that will drop some with better quality pitching in the upper minors. 

 

I'm with Mike:  "he'll find a way to succeed in the majors"

[BoomBoom]

 

Another year of experience, moving up a level to a better quality of pitchers i.e. more pitches in the strikezone?  I can see a pretty good drop in K's, which, hopefully, show and increase in BA, W and OBP.

K's?  195 is too many at any level.  I'm a believe that will drop some with better quality pitching in the upper minors. 

 

I'm with Mike:  "he'll find a way to succeed in the majors"

I agree with you 100%, but remind you that Trout won the MVP while leading the league in strikeouts in 2014.   I just want that great production he puts out consistently every year.   33 HRs / per 162 & 123 RBI / per 162 (professional averages).  OK - I want less Ks too.