American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, the Minor League Sports Report and This Week in the Association name Milwaukee Milkmen OF Adam Brett Walker II as the PURE Performance Player of the Year in the American Association for the 2021 season.

This Week in the Association and Minor League Sports Report Sponsored by PURE

Adam Brett Walker II Given PURE Performance Player of the Year

The Minor League Sports Report and This Week in the Association announced that Milwaukee Milkmen outfielder Adam Brett Walker II was named as the PURE Performance Player of the Year in the American Association. The Milwaukee outfielder set an American Association record for homeruns in a season with 33 and finished second in RBI with 101.

Adam Brett Walker II had been named as the American Association Player of the Year in 2020 when he hit 22 homers in 57 games. However, that was just an appetizer for the 2021 season.

The Milwaukee outfielder got off to a quick start, hitting .346 in 12 May games. He added five extra-base hits, including two homers, while scoring 10 runs and driving in nine.

In June, Walker went ballistic. In 27 games, the outfielder hit .321 with an American Association record for homeruns in a month, hitting 14. He scored 28 runs and drove in 35 and was named as the PURE Performance Player of the Month in June. Walker set a season-high with three homers and seven RBI on June 24 in an 11-9 victory over the Kansas City Monarchs. It was a contest where he homered in the eighth, then delivered a walk-off blast in the ninth to give the team the victory.

In July, Walker hit .327 with 12 doubles, nine homers, and 22 extra-base hits in 27 games. He continued to drive in runs, recording 29 RBI to go along with 20 runs scored. The outfielder posted an impressive .690 slugging percentage and a 1.084 OPS.

In August, Walker only had five home runs, but continued to hit well, batting .324. It was one of the most impressive parts of the season, as he continued to hit above .300 and every month except September, proving that he was more than just a power hitter. The Milwaukee star finished with 18 runs scored and 22 RBI, recording 11 total extra-base hits.

Over the final six games of the season, Walker hit a little slump, going 5-24, but three of his five hits were homeruns and he still produced six RBI.

For the season, Adam Brett Walker II appeared in all 100 games, the only player to do so. The Milwaukee outfielder hit .320 with 33 homers and 101 runs driven in. The 33 home runs were an American Association record for single season, and his 101 RBI is tied for the second most in a season. Walker finished with a .320 batting average, 80 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases.

The Milwaukee star finished near the top in several categories, including leading the league in extra-base hits (63) and total bases (262). Walker finished tied for second in hits (132), second in doubles (29), second in slugging (.636), and fifth in stolen base percentage (.923).

Martin, Altmann, Hernandez Round Out Contenders

Winnipeg Goldeyes 1B Kyle Martin finished second in the MVP voting. Martin set an American Association record with 106 RBI, and set a franchise record with 31 homers. The Goldeyes slugger hit .280, with 76 runs, 25 doubles, and a .980 OPS.

Lincoln Saltdogs infielder Josh Altman and Cleburne Railroaders outfielder Ramon Hernandez finished off the voting, tied for third. Altman set a Saltdogs record for homeruns in a season with 29. He scored 69 runs and drove in 72. Hernandez set a Cleburne record for RBI in a season with 100, hitting .324 with 23 doubles, 74 runs scored, and 21 homeruns.

For earning PURE Performance Player of the Year, Adam Brett Walker II will receive a check for $1000 from PURE as well as a trophy recognizing him as the PURE Performance Player of the Year.

This Week in the Association and Minor League Sports Report Sponsored by PURE

About PURE

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Learn more about PURE by following the link where you can also order a trial pack.

by Robert Pannier