Andrew Walling

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #180 prospect in 2021 draft
  There were Division I programs that could look enviously at Eastern Oklahoma State JC’s rotation, which featured three pro-caliber arms. Walling led the way as a lefty who sat in the mid 90s and touched 97-98 mph while also showing the ability to spot a mid-80s above-average slider that ate up righthanded hitters. He developed a promising, average mid-80s changeup this year as well. Before that he used his 12-to-6 fringe-average curveball to attack lefties. Now the curve is more of an early-count get-over pitch. Walling was a solid draft prospect in high school, but Tommy John surgery early in his senior year meant he made it to Oregon State. His stuff wavered at times there and so did his command. After two years in the Beavers’ bullpen, he transferred to Eastern Oklahoma for the 2021 season. From the fall of 2020, he showed consistently firmer stuff. As importantly, he learned how to stop naturally cutting his fastball. That made the fastball play better but also made it easier for him to locate it. He showed no trouble shouldering a heavier starter’s workload—his 13.8 strikeouts per nine innings ranked among the top 20 in NJCAA Division I. Walling could end up as a power reliever in pro ball, but with three pitches and a 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame, there’s no reason not to try him as a starter. While his command and control have been issues at times in the past, he repeated his delivery well this season. Walling has signed with Mississippi State.