BA GRADE
40
Risk: High
Born: May 25, 1994. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 184. Drafted: Oklahoma State, 2016 (5th round). Signed by: Ty Bowman.
Walton is the classic grinder ballplayer. A four-year starter at shortstop for Oklahoma State and the son of a coach, Walton has no plus tools and doesn’t profile as a starting big league infielder.
However, he is capable of playing every position on the dirt and maximizes his skillset by doing a lot of things right on the field. Walton is exceptionally fundamentally strong and has an uncanny ability to slow the game down when he’s on the field. Walton’s 2017 batting line of .269/.349/.368 is a reasonable reflection of what he projects to do at the plate. He has a good approach and does all the little things to help the team, like bunting, advancing the runner and taking the extra base. He’s a below-average runner but a capable basestealer with good instincts. Walton is a solid defender who positions himself well, and his tick above-average arm strength is enough for any infield spot.
Walton missed time in 2017 with a wrist injury, but may be advanced enough to head to Double-A Arkansas to start the 2018 season.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2016 |
Everett (NWL) |
SS |
.281 |
43 |
178 |
43 |
50 |
2017 |
Mariners (AZL) |
R |
.313 |
5 |
16 |
2 |
5 |
|
Modesto (CAL) |
HiA |
.269 |
67 |
242 |
37 |
65 |
Minor League Totals |
.275 |
115 |
436 |
82 |
120 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2016 |
Everett (NWL) |
8 |
1 |
5 |
23 |
22 |
2017 |
Mariners (AZL) |
0 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
|
Modesto (CAL) |
16 |
1 |
2 |
24 |
27 |
Minor League Totals |
24 |
2 |
9 |
52 |
50 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2016 |
Everett (NWL) |
24 |
6 |
0 |
.361 |
.421 |
2017 |
Mariners (AZL) |
0 |
2 |
0 |
.353 |
.688 |
|
Modesto (CAL) |
49 |
6 |
6 |
.349 |
.368 |
Minor League Totals |
73 |
14 |
6 |
.354 |
.401 |
|