NEIL WALKER
9/10/85; '04 1st; Gibsonia, PA (HS)
S/R; 6-3, 205
| Level |
BA |
OBP |
SA |
AB |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
K |
SB |
CS |
| 2004 HS |
.657 |
|
1.403 |
67 |
9 |
1 |
13 |
|
|
9 |
|
| 2004 A- |
.303 |
.333 |
.394 |
33 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| 2004 R |
.271 |
.313 |
.427 |
192 |
12 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
33 |
3 |
1 |
Their top pick in the 2004 draft, Walker immediately became the Bucs' position prospect
with the highest ceiling. He was identified early as a target for them, given their
desperate need for hitting prospects. Regarded initially as a likely 2nd round pick,
he got better and better, moving up quickly as the draft neared. He finished the
season hitting .657 with 13 HRs and 42 RBIs. The Pirates probably would have selected
SS Chris Nelson over Walker, but he was taken before their pick. Walker has the added
advantage of being a local product and lifelong Pirate fan, although that clearly
wasn't the reason they drafted him. He signed just 10 days after the draft for a
$1.95M bonus. Walker was the top-ranked catcher in the draft. He was considered to
have good power potential from both sides of the plate, especially hitting from the
right side. Among HS players, BA rated him the 2nd best pure hitter, with the 3rd
best power and best strike zone judgment. Defensively he was very well regarded,
with an average arm and a quick release. He runs well and is a good enough athlete
to change positions. The Pirates will keep him behind the plate for now, but they
did have him take some grounders at 3B when he visited PNC for a pre-draft workout.
Walker struggled initially in the GCL, which isn't surprising as the level of competition
in that league is a much larger jump for a HS player from a northern state like
Pennsylvania than one from Florida or southern California. He began hitting much
better late in the season and continued to do so after being promoted to Williamsport
at the end of the GCL season. The fact that he fanned only once in 33 ABs is some
evidence of progress in making contact, although he still wasn't drawing many walks.
The Pirates are expected to assign Walker to Hickory for the start of the 2005
season, and he'll share C and DH duties with Steve Lerud.
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