MILWAUKEE - Adam Walker Junior from Milwaukee Lutheran High School is waking up in Mobile, Alabama this morning to take part in spring training.
Red Knight’s coach Bob Heinkel took his team to a warmer climate to loosen their arms, brighten their spirits, and get them ready for the upcoming baseball season.
“It’s a little cloudy right now but temperatures are in the upper 60s,” said Walker sounding elated to be able to play ball outside on a field that didn’t force puddle jumps or muddy slides. “I think we’re supposed to get into the upper 70s by mid-day.”
Walker is among a handful of returning players for Milwaukee Lutheran. He leads the Red Knights in hitting with a .569 average, along with senior teammates Jack Jorgenson and Ben Eggebrecht.
This year’s Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association yearbook predicts Milwaukee Lutheran will have a competitive season with five returning pitchers and some “young arms.” Last year’s team finished 6-6 and in the middle of the pack in the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference.
The Milwaukee Lutheran team is practicing this week at Mobile Christian School. Entering his 28th season as coach Heinkel is looking to build on past championships from 2001 and 2003.
Walker is touted as the team leader. A first team All-Conference selection in 2008, he hit eight homeruns and collected 29 RBI’s. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Walker is turning heads and taking the attention in stride with mature responsibility.
FOCUSED ON FUNDAMENTALS…
A “hitter with a quick swing and pretty good power” is how Walker defines his game as the number three hitter in the lineup. “I get extra base hits and drive in runs,” he said.
Last season, most of Walker’s homeruns were toward right center field although he felt he had “good pull on the ball” and could hit to all fields.
Defensively Walker has a strong arm. An athletic player he’s seen a fair amount of time behind the plate and in the outfield. Heinkel is expected to try Walker at third base or shortstop this season.
“Adam is a good leader for this team,” said Heinkel. “He’s pretty quiet and leads mostly by example but he has a big impact on the other kids.”
Heinkel also praised Jorgenson as a complete pitcher and key leader. “He’s an offensive player, a defensive shortstop and a number one pitcher. Although he was injured last year he played through it and this year he’s real important.”
DEVOTED STUDENT-ATHLETE..
“I always try to do well in the classroom,” said Walker with well spoken confidence. “I finished last semester with a 3.2 grade point average; I could have done a little better but I try.”
Walker easily praises the teachers and curriculum at school, admitting he’s a Methodist in a Lutheran atmosphere. “They really stress academics and the teachers are always there if you need help; it’s a great school to be at,” he said ticking off a list of current courses including pre-calculus, German III, religion, chemistry, personal finance, and drama-literature.
In November 2008, Walker secured a scholarship with Division 1 Jacksonville University in Florida. He plans on pursuing a career in sports management, even though he’s highly touted as “a legitimate pro prospect.”
While focused as a student-athlete, Walker humbly realizes there is a pro possibility. “My cousin, Damion Easley plays second base for the New York Mets. Just to know that he can make it and play professional baseball always kind of inspired me to keep going and play the game that I love.”
GOALS..
“My ultimate goal is to win state,” said Walker who has forged a hard work ethic combined with a high level of expectation. “I’ve already got into a school so there’s not too much pressure, but I just want to do my best and help the team.”
Other schools that had expressed an interest in Walker included University of Louisville, Washington, Carolina, Grambling, Villanova, Indiana State, Ohio University, Minnesota, and Jackson State.
Walker credits his parents for helping keep him focused. “They were both athletes, they have experience helping me and they know that school comes first.” Walker says his parents are fixtures in the stands at games, both home and away. “They’re very supportive.”
At 17-years-old, Walker laughs and shrugs his shoulders about the media attention and predictions that he’s bound for the bigs. “I just try to stay humble,” he said. “Last night we just did a devotion about humility and giving our devotion to God; he gave me all the abilities I have and I should not brag.”
Milwaukee Lutheran kicks off their spring season March 31st with a 4:30 p.m. home game against Winnebago Lutheran Academy.
JERSEY - Walker wears jersey #8. “I was born on October 18 and I like single digit numbers,” said Walker. “My dad’s favorite number is seven and my mom’s favorite number is nine so I got my favorite in between.” Walker wore #3 last year. “Ken Griffey Junior had that one and that was pretty cool because he’s my favorite player.
