Here’s a guy you may have never heard of, but is a name you should probably know-P.J. Walters. He’s a right-handed pitcher who was selected this past draft in the 11th round and is the University of Southern Alabama’s all time strikeout leader (466), a feat he reached in 3 seasons. His freshman season he was the team’s best pitcher, starting in 12 games and appearing in 21 games overall. He struck out 119 batters in 117 innings, walking 38. He was named a freshman All-American. He hit a somewhat of a sophmore slump, where he allowed 22 homeruns in 141 innings, and his strikeout rate dropped from over a batter per inning to 7.5 per 9. In his junior year, Walters was selected by Baseball America as a third team college All-American last season, due to his 11-3 with record and an ERA of 3.20 over 152 innings of work. Walters demonstrated great control for the Jags, striking out 166 batters and walking only 33. Not bad for a kid who’s hero is Greg Maddux. He also pitched 5 complete games. Walters was also a highly decorated prep star for Faith Academy in Alabama, where he struck out 123 batters in 85 innings as a senior, walking only 9 batters all season for a 0.66 ERA. (Was he ever drafted previously?) For State College, Walters made 26 pitches in relief, striking out 31 batters in 30 innings, walking 9 with a 3.56 ERA.
Walters is 6′4″, 200 lbs and has shown excellent command. I scoured the internet for a scouting report, all I could find is that BA said he has the best breaking ball of any Sun Belt Conference pitcher. And on draft day Jeff Luhnow had this to say of Walters:
“According to our analysis, he’s an elite pitcher from a performance standpoint. … He’s 6-4, 200 pounds, has absolutely dominated at the college level. [He] doesn’t show the tools that get scouts excited to take him early and give him a lot of money, but for us he fits great.”
Speaking of performance standpoint, Boyd Nation, a statistical analyst of college baseball who provides his services to a number of major league teams calculated that Walters was 7th out of all NCAA starters in Runs Below Opponent Average (58.8) and 3rd in defense independent ERA with 2.34. Unfortunately, Walters also ranked #1 out of all college arms in Boyd’s pitcher abuse points, and Southern Alabama ranked #1 in that dubious distinction. Yikes. That’s probably is why he was used as only as a reliever for State College, he needed some rest while still gaining some pro experience. With his track record of eating innings he should be switched back to a starting role for the Swing this spring. Keep your eye on this guy.
Filed under: P.J. Walters, Sleepers
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I personally think he’s going to develop into a reliever, IIRC he had a few things with his throwing mechanics that I didn’t like. Granted, that was during his college years and I haven’t seen him throw since.I either see him as becoming an elite reliever, or tailing off around AAA due to his mechanics hurting his arm, but his body size is a plus, and he’s shown he can get batters out.
that’s for the input balkroth. it’s always great to hear from those who’ve actually seen a player, which i have not. I’m sure your concern was the concern of a lot of scouts, that’s why he wasn’t drafted higher despite putting up great numbers. I’d still like to see him get a chance to start and develop some secondary pitches, but if he can’t there’s nothing wrong with a fastball/slider guy with good command in the middle of your pen.
i watched walters pitch for 3 years at “south alabama” anyone that knows him knows his best pitch is his change up. thats why he had such great success at college . his secondary pitches are there. his fastball is considered below aver at 86-89. but does have good movement & command & let him get to the 80-100 pitch count & all the sudden his fastball gets to 89-91..thats one of the reasons he led the nation in innings pitched. he got better as the game went on.my opinion he will move quickly out of quad cities & be possibly in AA by seasons end..i am no scout but i have seen 30yrs of college players come thru south al & walters is the best i have ever seen.& john leiber pitched at south.just a note he pitched on feb 10 at south alabamas hall of fame game (pros vs south)3IP,0R,4K,1H,0BB.he looked really sharp..he is ready for spring training..