- Full name Mitchell S. Walding
- Born 09/10/1992 in Lodi, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Saint Mary's
- Debut 05/30/2018
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Drafted in the 5th round (181st overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011 (signed for $800,000).
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As the quarterback for his high school football team, Mitchell Walding didn't get many looks last summer or fall. Then he had a stress fracture in his right foot at the end of April, though he returned in mid-May when his team was in the playoffs. He has a lot of things that scouts like. With a 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame, Walding he's athletic and agile for his size, with fringy speed. While evaluators aren't convinced he will remain at shortstop long-term, he'll at least get a chance to stay there. He has average arm strength, and it could get better if teams can fix a hitch in his throwing motion. Walding is a good student with a lot of passion for the game. He hits from the left side and he has good bat speed, sound swing mechanics and a patient approach. He tracks the ball well, letting it travel deep, and is comfortable taking the ball the other way. He doesn't have a lot of power yet, but most scouts think it's in there. Walding could go in the fourth to sixth round and will spend this summer in the West Coast League. If he does not sign, he is committed to Oregon.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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A two-sport high school star from Northern California, Walding slipped under the radar as an amateur. He didn't play in many summer showcases because of football, and he missed time in his senior baseball season with a broken bone in his foot. Area scout Joey Davis liked what he saw of Walding, however. The Phillies took him in the fifth round in 2011, followed him closely in a summer collegiate league and then signed him away from an Oregon commitment for $800,000. He made his pro debut last year, and after hitting .383/.420/.532 in June at Williamsport, he ran into some struggles that snowballed as he got down on himself. Walding is learning how to translate his tools into baseball ability, but his upside is significant. He has a sweet lefthanded swing that generates natural backspin, and he projects to have above-average raw power as he grows into his broad-shouldered frame. He would benefit from being more aggressive at the plate, and he must better identify secondary pitches as he moves up the ladder. His lack of baseball experience works against him in that regard. Walding played shortstop as an amateur, and while he's still learning third base, he has a plus arm, good hands and moves well for his size. He's an average runner. Walding will make the jump to full-season ball with Lakewood in 2013. -
Walding was a two-sport high school star, accounting for 3,041 yards and 26 touchdowns during his senior season as a quarterback, but he flew under the radar as a northern California prep baseball product. Scouts couldn't get extended looks at him because he didn't participate in many summer showcases while preparing for football season, and he missed several weeks last spring with a stress fracture in his right foot. The Phillies snagged him in the fifth round and followed him in the West Coast League, where he ranked as the the No. 2 prospect in the wood-bat summer college circuit. Philadelphia signed him away from a commitment to Oregon for $800,000. Walding still is growing into his broad-shouldered body and adding strength to his frame. He has a smooth lefthanded swing and generates above-average bat speed that could lead to plus power down the line. Walding played shortstop in high school and moves well laterally despite his large frame, but he profiles best at third base. He has good hands to go with solid arm strength and speed. Walding will likely start 2012 in extended spring training and make his pro debut at Williamsport in June.
