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At Stanford: Enters his junior campaign on a high note following an excellent fall, probably his best since arriving on The Farm...owns what is perhaps the best velocity on the Cardinal staff, with a fastball that tops out at 95-96...displayed a sharper breaking ball during fall workouts, along with improved command...will pitch significant innings for Stanford in 2009...has pitched in 15 games (two starts) over his first two seasons, going 0-1 with a 6.38 ERA (13er, 18.1ip)...has flashed his potential with 17 strikeouts, an average of 8.35 per 9.0 innings...has limited opponents to a .258 average (17-for-66)...was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 21st round of the 2006 MLB First-Year Player Draft, but did not sign a professional contract.
As a Sophomore in 2008: Made six appearances, including one start, for Stanford's College World Series club...did not record a decision, with a 4.50 ERA (3er, 6.0ip)...struggled with his command, issuing seven walks...started in his season debut February 25 vs. Saint Mary's, working 2.0 scoreless innings (1h,5bb,2so)...was with the team throughout the postseason, but did not pitch.
As a Freshman in 2007: Went 0-1 with a 7.30 ERA in nine appearances (one start), with 13 strikeouts in just 12.1 innings pitched...however, also issued 12 walks...enjoyed an impressive collegiate debut, tossing 3.0 innings of scoreless relief February 2 at Cal State Fullerton (3h,2so)...tossed 3.1 hitless innings over two Pac-10 appearances, yielding just one earned run for a 2.70 ERA...also compiled three strikeouts in conference outings.
High School: Graduated in 2006 from St. Stephens Episcopal School in Austin, Tex....was named a 2006 first-team Preseason Louisville Slugger All-American by Collegiate Baseball...listed among the 2006 Top 100 High School prospects by Baseball America...a two-time first-team All-Central Texas selection (2005 and 2006), he was also an All-Southern Prep Conference choice and Team MVP both years...was ranked No. 7 among 2006 Texas High School baseball players and No. 8 among Texas High School 2006 draft prospects by insideprepbaseball.com...was given the 2005 Central Texas James Keller Memorial Sportsmanship Award...named to the All-South-Zone Team in 2004...led his squad to two consecutive state runner-up finishes (2005 and 2006)...helped his squad to an 80-11 record over three seasons from 2004-06...posted a 10-2 record with a 1.25 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 66.0 innings of work during his senior year, while chipping in with a .459 batting average, six homers and 34 RBI at the plate...finished his junior campaign with an 11-0 record, a 1.50 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 65.1 innings...compiled a career 32-6 prep record on the hill, with a total of 311 strikeouts...had 13 career home runs at the plate...holds school records for single-season wins (11), career wins and career strikeouts...also played forward in basketball for two seasons (2003-05) and quarterback for the football team during his freshman year...was on the honor roll every term for all four years and graduated with honors...was named a Furman Scholar and earned National Merit Commended Scholar honors...given a sportsmanship award that goes to a player who contributes to the lives of young athletes, shows leadership qualities and is involved with his community...coached in baseball by John Keller and Keith Moreland.
Other Amateur Baseball: Spent his 2008 summer campaign with the Wareham Gateman of the Cape Cod League, making five relief appearances...did not play baseball in the summer of 2007...spent two summers with the Austin Slam Baseball Club (2005 and 2006)...participated in the 2006 PlayStation All-American Game, tossing 1.2 innings of hitless and scoreless relief...played for the 2005 Texas Rangers Area Code team...participated in the 2005 Texas Scout Game.
Personal Information: Son of Hal Walker (deceased) and Elizabeth O'Connell Walker...was born in Dallas, Tex....has one sister, Jordan...great uncle, John O'Connell, was a collegiate pitcher at Texas (1938), while his grandfather, E.P. O'Connell, played point guard for the Longhorns (1943-44)...is a fan of the Texas Rangers...says the best advice he has received is "to confidently go in the direction of my dreams"...would like to pursue a career in medicine, and spent the summer of 2007 doing an internship at Austin Sports Medicine...majoring in human biology.
Walker's Career StatsYEARERAW-LAPPGSCGSHO/CBOSVIPHRERBBSO2B3BHRBFB/AVGWPHBPBKSFASHA20077.300-19100/0012.1121210121310062.2615202020084.500-06100/006.05337400031.25012110TOTALS6.380-115200/0018.1171513191710093.25864130
Walker's Career HighsInnings Pitched (Starter): No career startsInnings Pitched (Reliever): 3.0, February 2, 2007 at Cal State FullertonStrikeouts: 3 (twice), last: April 27, 2007 vs. Oregon StateWinning Streak: No career wins