Walker's skills, passion led to career in baseball

Adam Brett Walker knew that wearing a uniform and throwing a ball would be two of his future job requirements. He initially wasn't sure of the ball's shape or whether he would don a baseball cap or a football helmet.

Fast forward several years to the seventh inning on March 29, the final spring training game of 2014. Walker stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter for the Minnesota Twins, knocked the dirt off his cleats, and eyed Red Sox pitcher Tommy Layne.With one pitch and one swing, the ball left the park for a two-run homer and his name left an impression on all who witnessed the soaring shot.

At the surface, the audience saw just another player putting on a power show and adding to an eventual 7-4 Twins victory. Delve deeper, however, and one might discover a child's dream unraveling into a reality.

"It was an awesome experience," Walker reminisces. "I looked around and saw myself next to guys I watch on television. As far as playing, it was nice to have some success in my first time with the big league team."

As a child, Walker dabbled in several sports: soccer, basketball, football and baseball. His household was rich in athletic involvement with both of his parents influencing him in the practice of being active.

Despite having a father who played professional football with the Minnesota Vikings and currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator for Concordia University in Wisconsin, and a mother who coached volleyball and was a national high-jump champion, Walker found no lack in support when he began to realize that baseball was his calling.

"Growing up in an athletic household, I was always around sports," Walker said. "My dad loved baseball too and has always supported me in playing baseball, which I found a love for. (Baseball) has always been my favorite, ever since T-ball. I always wanted to get the bat and hit."

The 6-4, 225 pound Miracle right fielder had a hunch that athletics would not dessert him past his childhood. An abundance of encouragement from his parents bred and furthered a dream which brewed throughout his youth: to play "in the Bigs" one day.

When Walker rounded the corner into his years at Milwaukee Lutheran High School, he narrowed his turf to football and baseball. During recruitment season, colleges flocked to him after catching wind of his capabilities in both, but he had already decided his course. Even his coaches advised schools interested in his capabilities as a quarterback that Walker had an ingrained desire to pick up a glove and bat at the university level.

In 2009 Walker made the steep southward trip from his driveway in snowy, hilly Wisconsin to the warm climate of Florida for college. He admits that a large factor which drove his decision to call Jacksonville University home was its baseball-friendly weather.

"I love Wisconsin, but sometimes you start the season and a week from playing there's snow on the ground," Walker recalled with a laugh. "Getting to the south appealed to me for that reason."

He studied Sports Administration while manning a spot on the Dolphins roster, where he met two of his Miracle teammates in reliever Matt Tomshaw and fellow outfielder John Murphy. Occasionally the three teammates cannot help but recollect their collegiate adventures, from trials to hilarities, and especially the triumphs.

"Going to Regionals during my sophomore year was unforgettable," Walker remembers. "It was our school's best year and I will always remember that. We end up talking about things, like 'hey, remember that one time back in school?' But I'll always remember Regionals."

Walker's days at Jacksonville drew to a close when he was selected in the third round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft by the Twins and since then he has taken the world of minor league baseball by storm. With the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2013 he was named the Topps Midwest League Player of the Year, a Twins Organizational All-Star, a Midwest League Midseason All-Star and a Midwest League Postseason All-Star. He also led the league in home runs (27), RBI (109) and total bases (267).

Despite his accomplishments, Walker knows his game is not impeccably ironed out. Walker agrees with the observation several scouts had about his swing, which undoubtedly is filled with power but could use some training for consistency. He says he is constantly working to shorten his swing, fill in the holes and cut down the strikeouts.

"Consistency is the main thing I emphasize," Walker said. "It's important that I battle in every at-bat."

Along with the guidance from coaches, Walker finds help in learning from the successes of major leaguers. He grew up with a strong admiration for 13-time MLB All-Star Ken Griffey Jr., and occasionally watches video to take some pointers from his plate mannerisms and his hard-working and exciting approach to the game.

Regardless of the adjustments he continues to make, Walker's passion has yielded impressive results so far in 2014. He heads the Miracle squad in home runs, driven in 14 runs and has yet to make an error in the outfield.

Walker hasn't entirely abandoned his football roots despite his climb up the baseball ladder. He learned a good deal on the gridiron and transfers some of that experience to the diamond. A focused mentality, he said, is the most prominent.

"I try to take pride in leading by example and make sure I do things the right way," he explained. "I really try to take that on the field here in baseball. I'm not the most vocal person in the world, but I want to make sure my teammates respect me and I play the game hard."

All things considered, neither a loud or frequent voice is necessarily important for Walker. To coaches, to scouts and to fans, he leaves the main brunt of the talking to his bat.