Neil Walker

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Neil Martin Walker (born September 10, 1985 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a Minor League Baseball player in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, currently on the club's 40-man roster. Walker was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the 2004 draft.

Early life

Neil is the son of former major league pitcher Tom Walker.

Neil is a Pittsburgh native and attended Pine-Richland High School. He graduated in 2004 as a star catcher on the baseball team and an outstanding wide receiver for the football team. Neil played for Beaver Valley Baseball Club in Beaver County, PA, an organization made by Brian Smith and current Detroit Tiger's manager, Jim Leyland.

Professional career

After being drafted as a catcher, Neil was converted to a third baseman during Spring Training 2007. Walker spent the majority of 2007 playing for the Pirates Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve. In 2008, he played for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. Walker spent most of 2009 in Triple-A, but received a September call-up to the Pirates on September 1, 2009. In his first at bat he was robbed of a hit by Brandon Phillips. He collected his first Major League hit in his second Major League start, September 6, 2009, against Jason Motte of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Career notes

• Belted a grand slam and had five RBI in 11-2 Curve win on June 28, 2007, (game two) vs. the Trenton Thunder
• Smacked a pair of two-run home runs to help the Curve snap a 10-game losing streak on May 27, 2007, at the Bowie Baysox
• Became first Curve player with a four-hit game in 2007, going 4-for-4 with a homer, double and two RBI on May 15 vs. the Portland Sea Dogs
• Hit four home runs in a five-game stretch from April 28-May 3, 2007
• Rated by Baseball America as the Pirates’ #2 prospect entering 2007
• Attended 2007 Pirates’ major league spring training as a non-roster invitee and hit .355 (11-31) with 2 HR and 8 RBI in 19 big league contests
• Rated one of the top 100 prospects by Baseball America in 2005 (81), 2006 (43), and 2007 (74)

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Altoona Curve player profile