The Minnesota Twins have a lot invested in Todd Walker and Travis Miller, both of whom were first-round draft picks in June 1994 after stellar collegiate careers.
If Wednesday night's Salt Lake Buzz game is any indication, the Twins will reap big dividends from their investment in the pair before too long. Miller, a left-handed starting pitcher, and Walker, a left-hand hitting slugger, powered Salt Lake to an easy 11-3 victory over the Albuquerque Dukes at Franklin Quest Field.The Buzz ended a two-game losing streak with the win and improved to 14-12, while Albuquerque fell to 12-14.
Miller pitched seven strong innings, giving up two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. It was the 23-year-old lefty's fifth straight quality start and the win evened his record at 2-2. He is now second in the PCL in strikeouts with 35 on the year.
Walker, meanwhile, continues to impress with his bat. The 22-yearold infielder listed as the Twins' top minor league prospect by "Baseball America," drove in five runs Wednesday - with three of them in the sixth inning on his fifth homer of the year. Walker, who went 3-for-5, leads the Buzz with 20 RBI on the year and is hitting .314 in his first season at the Triple-A level and in just his second year full year as a pro.
"As our front office people like to say, (Walker and Miller) are on the fast track (to the big leagues)," said Buzz manager Phil Roof.
Roof hopes, for the Buzz's sake, however, that the duo's fast track will make a season-long stay in Salt Lake before they start to make the big bucks in Minnesota.
"They have a good future ahead of them down the road, but we'll enjoy them while they are here," said Roof.
Miller went to Kent State and was the Mid America Conference Pitcher of the Year as a junior with a 9-0 record and a 2.47 ERA in '94. Walker attended LSU where he led the Tigers to the College World Series title and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player in '94.
"Going to college, I think, helped us (to be ready for the pros)," said Miller. "We lived away from home and learned to live like minor league baseball players do. (College) helped us to handle pressure and deal with the media and be better prepared than maybe some of the guys are that come right out of high school (to the pros)."
Walker and Miller weren't the only stars for the Buzz Wednesday. Right fielder Brent Brede and left fielder Kevin Reimer had three hits each - including a solo homer by Reimer - while second baseman Brian Raabe and catcher Damian Miller pounded two hits apiece.
BUZZ BRIEFS: Hall of Fame Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller threw out the first pitch Wednesday. He then spent the game signing autographs for fans . . . The Buzz and Dukes will play the third game of the four-game set tonight at 7 p.m. Right-hander Marc Barcelo (0-0, 5.84 ERA) will make his second start of the season for the Buzz. Lefty Mark Mimbs (1-1, 8.18 ERA) will be on the hill for the Dukes . . . Albuquerque's three runs Wednesday all came on solo homers. Buzz pitchers have now given up a league high 27 home runs . . . Miller and first basemen Jamie Ogden both extended their hitting streaks to 12 games.