Andrew Walters (baseball)

Andrew Wayne Walters (born December 8, 2000) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Cleveland Guardians organization.

Andrew Walters
Cleveland Guardians
Pitcher
Born: (2000-12-08) December 8, 2000
Palm Bay, Florida
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Amateur career

Walters grew up in Palm Bay, Florida and attended Bayside High School.[1]

Walters began his college baseball career at Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) and played one season, which was cut short due to Covid-19 and did not count towards his collegiate eligibility. In 2021, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2] He transferred to Miami after his one season at EFSC.[3] Walters made 19 appearances and had a 1.46 ERA with 36 strikeouts and nine walks in his first season with the Hurricanes.[4] He was named Miami's closer entering his redshirt sophomore season and was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) after leading the conference with 14 saves.[5] Walters was selected in the 18th round of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft by the Baltimore Orioles, but opted to return to Miami for his redshirt junior season.[6] He was named a consensus first-team All-American in 2023 after finishing the season with a 4-0, 12 saves, and 1.21 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 44+2⁄3 innings pitched over 28 appearances.[7]

Professional career

Walters was selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the second round, with the 62nd overall pick in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft.[8] On July 22, 2023, Walters signed with Cleveland for a below slot deal worth $955,275.[9]

Personal life

Walters' parents were college athletes at Florida Tech with his father playing basketball and his mother playing softball.[10] His uncle, Matt Walters, played college football at Miami and was a starting defensive tackle on the Hurricanes' 2001 National Championship team before playing in the NFL for the New York Jets.[3]

References
  1. Sargent, Bill (November 8, 2018). "Sargent: Family comes first, then fishing for Walters". Florida Today. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  2. "Andrew Walters". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  3. "Miami All-American closer's uncle was catalyst for one of UM football's famous finishes". Miami Herald. February 16, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  4. "Andrew Walters has big shoes to fill as Miami's closer". Sun Sentinel. February 17, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. "From unknown to All-American, Miami's Andrew Walters emerges as unlikely draft prospect". Miami Herald. July 17, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  6. Stock, Christopher (July 19, 2022). "RHP Andrew Walters selected in 18th round by Baltimore". 247Sports.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  7. "Pitcher Andrew Walters Garners All-America Accolade". Rivals.com. June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. Hemminger, Brian (July 9, 2023). "MLB Draft 2023: Cleveland selects RHP Andrew Walters with No. 62 pick". Covering the Corner.
  9. "Guardians sign 19 of 21 Draft picks, including 1st-rounder Velazquez". mlb.com. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  10. "All-American closer Walters rejects MLB, will return to the Miami Hurricanes". Miami Herald. August 1, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
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