Neil Walker (baseball)
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Neil Martin Walker (born September 10, 1985 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a Major League Baseball player in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Walker was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the 2004 draft.
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[edit] Early Life
Neil is a Pittsburgh native and attended Pine Richland High School. He graduated in 2004 as a baseball and football star.
[edit] MLB 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.
[edit] 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)
