Neil Walker

A preseason BA High School All-American, Walker got off to a hot start this year, hitting .580-9-26 in 38 at-bats before he was suspended for three games after attending a party and consuming alcohol, a violation of his high school team's rules. Walker assumed full responsibility, and it looks like a minor bump in the road for the top-ranked catcher in this year's draft. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Walker has a large frame with a strong build and room for development. He has a sound approach at the plate, starting from a balanced stance, and shows a fluid uppercut stroke from both sides. He has a little more lift from the right side and projects to hit with above-average power. Behind the plate, he is an excellent receiver, blocks balls well and has an average arm with a quick release. He has good speed for his size, running a 7.0-second 60-yard dash and getting down the line in 4.4 seconds from the left side. Walker comes from a family of athletes. His father Tom and his uncle Chip Lang pitched with the Expos in the 1970s. His oldest brother Matt was an outfielder in the Tigers system, while his other brother Sean pitched at George Mason. His sister Carrie plays basketball at Wagner.