Inbox: Why did Twins release Walker?

MINNEAPOLIS — With two weeks left until baseball’s Winter Meetings, the Twins have yet to make any outside additions to a roster that lost 103 games last season.

But the Twins did make some surprising moves Friday, when they outrighted third baseman Trevor Plouffe, outfield prospect Adam Walker and catcher Juan Centeno to clear roster space for six prospects to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

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It was a tough decision for the new front office led by Derek Falvey and Thad Levine, but one of many they’ll have to make this offseason as they try to build a consistent winner. With that in mind, here’s this week’s Twins Inbox:

Do you know why the Twins released Walker? Also, where do you think Plouffe will end up? — @neilnagle2

Walker, who was ranked as Minnesota’s No. 15 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, has prodigious power, as evidenced by his 27 homers in 132 games in Triple-A Rochester this year and his 124 career homers in 584 games. But he has a career on-base percentage of .310 in the Minors, striking out far too often. Last year, he struck out 202 times in 531 plate appearances.

He’s also struggled defensively as an outfielder, especially with his throwing. So it is a bit surprising a National League team like the Brewers took a chance on him. The power is definitely there, but it’s really his only true tool. Players with similar skillsets as strikeout-prone sluggers, such as Chris Carter or Chris Davis, had much better numbers as Minor Leaguers than Walker.

As for Plouffe, the Twins couldn’t get anything back in a potential …

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