AAA is One Step Away

[lightfoot789]

http://www.faketeams.com/2016/3/21/11272042/five-unheralded-prospects-who-could-contribute-in-2016-al-central-matt-davidson-mike-clevinger#comments

 

The beauty of being in AAA.  Not likely to happen, but you never know when runs and rbi become important to a line up.  Unheralded like Vargas and Santana were 2 years ago (2014).  Just saying.............

 

Again not likely, but it's fun to dream when reading about your favorite prospect.  36 for 45 in stolen bases (80%) as a professional and 76 for 86 since college (88%).  Here is to hoping the start of AAA improves his flaws, because I like what the article says about his strengths.

[ashbury]

ABWII is one of only five pure outfielders on the 40-man. In case of someone's injury not requiring a 60-day stay, it wouldn't be strange at all for him to get called up. Getting enough playing time to make an impact on someone's fantasy team might be another story, ditto for having actual success - my fear is that he might let the major league environment overwhelm him and he ends up hitting for neither average nor power in short usage. All in all, a long shot to be someone's sleeper pick on a fantasy team, but who knows.

[Thrylos]

 

ABWII is one of only five pure outfielders on the 40-man.

 

He is a DH at this point of his career.  Sub-Revere arm at the OF and not much accuracy.   Might become a first baseman in the future, but I just don't see him play much OF with the Twins.

[bluechipper]

 

He is a DH at this point of his career.  Sub-Revere arm at the OF and not much accuracy.   Might become a first baseman in the future, but I just don't see him play much OF with the Twins.

I've never really seen him throw before so I don't know, but how is it possible for a guy who is 6'5" 225 to have a worse arm than Ben Revere? Or maybe you're just exaggerating a little to make your point.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

He is a DH at this point of his career.  Sub-Revere arm at the OF and not much accuracy.   Might become a first baseman in the future, but I just don't see him play much OF with the Twins.

A sub Revere arm? Is that possible? Evidence? I hadn't heard that.

[jorgenswest]

Baseball America wrote In the prospect handbook...

 

"he alarmed rival scouts with throwing problems that seemed to worsen. After playing mostly first base in college, Walker's mechanical issues threaten to make him a defensive liability even in left field."

[ashbury]

I don't remember seeing throwing problems but that was last spring. Maybe he's got a case of the Yips, a la Knoblauch and others (mostly infielders though). Revere just seems the wrong comp.

[Thrylos]

 

I don't remember seeing throwing problems but that was last spring. Maybe he's got a case of the Yips, a la Knoblauch and others (mostly infielders though). Revere just seems the wrong comp.

 

Not really.   He has issues with throwing.  He plants the wrong foot down sometimes when he throws.  Just want to describe that way of throwing from the wrong foot forward, he leans back instead of having a fluid motion, etc...  His arm might be stronger than Revere's but his throws are not.

 

Berardino wrote about it a bit here (albeit well concealed)

[sane16]

He plants the wrong foot down sometimes when he throws.

 

Berardino wrote about it a bit here (albeit well concealed)

I flat-out do not believe that. I have NEVER in 55 years of coaching, ever seen a baseball player (who is NOT a beginner)REPEATEDLY throw with the arm-side foot forward. Berardino never mentions that as his problem, and UNTIL I WITNESS IT, I won't believe it.

[Thrylos]

 

I flat-out do not believe that. I have NEVER in 55 years of coaching, ever seen a baseball player (who is NOT a beginner)REPEATEDLY throw with the arm-side foot forward. Berardino never mentions that as his problem, and UNTIL I WITNESS IT, I won't believe it.

 

trying to find video, but all there is there is his HRs... 

 

Not something he does all the time btw.  Just something he does when he is not thinking about it and rushing to get the ball "in".  The leaning back is more often.

[sane16]

trying to find video, but all there is there is his HRs... 

 

Not something he does all the time btw.  Just something he does when he is not thinking about it and rushing to get the ball "in".  The leaning back is more often.

OK, an occasional short distance careless toss is possible, if he is being sloppy.

I thought you were referring to a repeated flaw in his normal mechanics, like rushing your back-swing in golf. If he were unable to stop throwing with his arm-side foot forward, the scout who signed him should be arrested for fraud.

[ScrapTheNickname]

I'm glad we cleared that up.

[Thrylos]

 

OK, an occasional short distance careless toss is possible, if he is being sloppy.
I thought you were referring to a repeated flaw in his normal mechanics, like rushing your back-swing in golf. If he were unable to stop throwing with his arm-side foot forward, the scout who signed him should be arrested for fraud.

 

He does have a repeated flaw with leaning back and not following through his throws.  Trajectory is also problematic (his arching them).

 

Let's not forget that he was playing mostly 1B at High School and College and just a bit of OF in College.  

[Dantes929]

Throwing "like a girl" reminds me of a catcher last year.   I think it was for the White Sox.   When throwing the ball back to the pitcher he would put his glove hand on the ground and lean forward an throw of the right foot.    Looked awkward as heck and drove me crazy that a guy could get to that level and look that amateurish.but then when one of our guys tried stealing he threw a pea to 2nd to get him.

[Squirrel]

 

Throwing "like a girl" reminds me of a catcher last year.   I think it was for the White Sox.   When throwing the ball back to the pitcher he would put his glove hand on the ground and lean forward an throw of the right foot.    Looked awkward as heck and drove me crazy that a guy could get to that level and look that amateurish.but then when one of our guys tried stealing he threw a pea to 2nd to get him.

Moderator note: I just sent a PM to another poster who used the phrase 'throws like a girl' but since it's cropped up again in the same thread, I'm saying this now. Don't use is again, or anything like it. It's offensive and demeaning to girls everywhere. When I was a girl, I threw pretty damn well. My teammates, also girls, threw even better than me. I knew plenty of boys who couldn't throw at all and to describe their talents as 'throwing like a girl' would have rewarded them with way more than they deserved. So put it to rest.

[Halsey Hall]

Walker will never be an outfielder, Thrylos is correct. I mentioned several times this spring how he was out early before the other players daily, playing catch with Joel Lepel. He's got all the wrong motion and Lepel kept working with him on it.  First from like 20 feet and then backing up. He made some terrible throws in the games I watched this spring, and I saw quite a few. 

 

He can't hit a curve ball, but blasts fast balls.  Saw him lose one yesterday, and two the game before at home. He's destined as a DH if he ever makes it. He's really I nice young man and I'm hoping he can make it, but I don't think he'll ever have a decent arm.

[twinssouth]

Walker will never be an outfielder, Thrylos is correct. I mentioned several times this spring how he was out early before the other players daily, playing catch with Joel Lepel. He's got all the wrong motion and Lepel kept working with him on it.  First from like 20 feet and then backing up. He made some terrible throws in the games I watched this spring, and I saw quite a few. 

 

He can't hit a curve ball, but blasts fast balls.  Saw him lose one yesterday, and two the game before at home. He's destined as a DH if he ever makes it. He's really I nice young man and I'm hoping he can make it, but I don't think he'll ever have a decent arm.

Agree with Halsey, not accurate at all. Played LF last year at Chattanooga, always an adventure watching him. Also has trouble with breaking balls. Big year for hi n AAA. Hope he figures it out. Personally, I'd send him back to 1st base, see if he can become serviceable.

[Twodogs]

 

Throwing "like a girl" reminds me of a catcher last year.   I think it was for the White Sox.   When throwing the ball back to the pitcher he would put his glove hand on the ground and lean forward an throw of the right foot.    Looked awkward as heck and drove me crazy that a guy could get to that level and look that amateurish.but then when one of our guys tried stealing he threw a pea to 2nd to get him.

I wonder if that catcher just had a tough time with lobbing the ball to someone.  I have seen people who can throw a ton, like hit the cutoff man perfectly, but ask that person to toss the ball to the umpire and they have problems?  That might have been that catchers issue, had he gunned it to the pitcher every time the throw probably would have been perfect, but then that pitcher might have been a little peeved at the end of the game too, just my thought on why that guy threw like that?

[drivlikejehu]

Walker's defensive problems really limit his potential to carve out an MLB role. His upside was as a platoon corner outfielder... if he can't play corner OF, well, he won't have an MLB career. 

 

Even that would have required huge improvement at the plate. Walker's low OBP limits his offensive value - last year he was 6th on his own AA team in RC+. 

[HitInAPinch]

 

Not really.   He has issues with throwing.  He plants the wrong foot down sometimes when he throws.  Just want to describe that way of throwing from the wrong foot forward, he leans back instead of having a fluid motion, etc...  His arm might be stronger than Revere's but his throws are not.

 

Berardino wrote about it a bit here (albeit well concealed)

 

Thanks for the link.  Never heard of this problem before.   24 and doesn't know how to throw a baseball?  Must be too much time at 1st.

[bluechipper]

 

Throwing "like a girl" reminds me of a catcher last year.   I think it was for the White Sox.   When throwing the ball back to the pitcher he would put his glove hand on the ground and lean forward an throw of the right foot.    Looked awkward as heck and drove me crazy that a guy could get to that level and look that amateurish.but then when one of our guys tried stealing he threw a pea to 2nd to get him.

Geovany Soto is who I think you're referencing here.

[bluechipper]

Well this topic is disappointing. Walker hitting .230 with 30 HR potential as an average defensive outfielder is a lot more valuable than him as a DH who does not know how to throw a baseball, despite being a professional baseball player.

 

I would like to assume that there is a bit of exaggeration on the severity of the problem going on here though.

[lightfoot789]

The easiest way to find out if he has a strong enough arm and athleticism to play the outfield is to ask Jake Mauer; Tommy Watkins; Chad Allen; or Doug Mientkiewicz.  His former coaches know whether he has the tools to play the position.  He was an all state catcher in high school BTW.   Never saw a lot of problems with him tracking down balls.  Throwing issues can be cured if he has an arm.  Curious what former coaches say to that issue as well?

 

Terry Ryan comments following a playoff game in which he attended:

(On Adam Brett Walker and whether he has a chance to be a big leaguer)

"Yeah, he does, just because of his power potential. He looks like a major leaguer, he drives balls like major leaguers, he runs like a major leaguer. Now it's just a matter of polishing up fielding, throwing accuracy, release, his ability to lay off pitches out of the zone. But he's kind of what they look like up there where I watch them. It was good that home run (Monday night) was on a slider because you're almost certain he can handle a fastball.  Big, strong, athletic, has good makeup. Yeah, he has a chance to be a big leaguer."

 

 

[lightfoot789]

 

Well this topic is disappointing. Walker hitting .230 with 30 HR potential as an average defensive outfielder is a lot more valuable than him as a DH who does not know how to throw a baseball, despite being a professional baseball player.

 

I would like to assume that there is a bit of exaggeration on the severity of the problem going on here though.

Watch the first baseman from :34 seconds to 2:34 seconds. - Value (2010 2nd team all american at 1st base, but stole 40 of 41 bases in college / waste of athleticism is probably the thought)

 

[sane16]

Walker will never be an outfielder, He's got all the wrong motion" 

 

He can't hit a curve ball, I don't think he'll ever have a decent arm"

SO, ABW has incorrect throwing mechanics and has difficulty hitting curve balls.

Do you not understand that both of those afflictions may be curable? Throwing mechanics have been corrected in almost ALL pitchers and in MANY position players. Improved throwing mechanics can convert a poor thrower into a good thrower VERY quickly.

Difficulty hitting "good" curveballs is a common issue with hitters and some never master it. However, some do master it, eventually.

In either case, to say that someone will NEVER improve at these skills is a blind guess into the future. To say NEVER or ALWAYS is to assume a certainty that is impossible to possess. Please don't tell me the future. I don't believe in Financial Advisers, Psychics, weathermen, Doomsday Preppers or blog posters.

[Dantes929]

 

Geovany Soto is who I think you're referencing here.

Yes, I just did a google search and you  nailed it.   ,  

[Seth Stohs]

 

I flat-out do not believe that. I have NEVER in 55 years of coaching, ever seen a baseball player (who is NOT a beginner)REPEATEDLY throw with the arm-side foot forward. Berardino never mentions that as his problem, and UNTIL I WITNESS IT, I won't believe it.

 

Yeah, don't believe that. Walker has a strong arm, but for some reason, he just can't throw a baseball right now. They worked on it every day. He threw with the correct leg forward and some mechanics, but the throw is a lollipop and bounces. Few work harder than Walker, but he's got a lot to overcome in the field right now. He's a good athlete, in fact, I've heard he can throw a football 50+ yards. It'll be interesting to watch box scores to see if he's playing LF or if he's DHing. 

[lightfoot789]

Walker has averaged 131 games per year (tops in the Twins minor league system over last 3 seasons) and played the outfield in at least 85% of those games.  His teams have won 3 championships in those 4 years and held the best record in the minor leagues in the 1 season they didn't win the championship.   He definitely needs to get better throwing, but it's not as though he has prevented his previous teams from winning.  He can field his position.  He just needs to play with an edge (like Rosario) instead of making the safe throw ALL the time.  Major league players will start challenging him more for sure.

 

He had 6 outfield assist his 1st year in rookie ball in 53 games and averaged 6 every season thereafter in 131 games.  What happened?

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

 

 

He had 6 outfield assist his 1st year in rookie ball in 53 games and averaged 6 every season thereafter in 131 games.  What happened?

 

I'm guessing his competition got a bit better.  Rookie ball stats in general need to be taken with a grain of salt. 

 

I like Walker.  I find that there tends to be a lot of irrationality with him though that drives me nuts (and sadly on both sides of the debate).  What he is; however, is a flawed prospect with a very high ceiling and a very low floor.  I hope the kid makes it.  He seemed like a pretty nice guy.

[spinowner]

 

Moderator note: I just sent a PM to another poster who used the phrase 'throws like a girl' but since it's cropped up again in the same thread, I'm saying this now. Don't use is again, or anything like it. It's offensive and demeaning to girls everywhere. When I was a girl, I threw pretty damn well. My teammates, also girls, threw even better than me. I knew plenty of boys who couldn't throw at all and to describe their talents as 'throwing like a girl' would have rewarded them with way more than they deserved. So put it to rest.

I agree that this phrase should not be used. Perhaps the phrase "wrong-leg throwing" or something similar would be a satisfactory substitute. However, the use of the phrase has its origins in reality. I'm sure it's true that throwing while stepping forward with the leg on one's throwing side feels natural for a much higher percentage of females than the percentage of males.