Deion Walker

DEION WALKER, CENTER FIELDER
Born: August 20, 2001
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 180
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 35th Round, 1054th Overall, 2019
How Acquired: Draft
High School: Hillgrove HS (GA)
Agent: N/A

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
Walker is a tall, skinny outfielder who has also pitched some.  He shows off good routes and arm strength in the outfield, and was announced by the Pirates as a center fielder.  He’s got some potential for power, with solid contact ability and good bat speed, and an ability to hit to all fields.  His swing looks a little long, which could hurt him in pro ball, although Baseball America noted last year that he does a good job tracking breaking pitches.  Walker seems very raw and a project, but a toolsy player with his build, hitting potential, and defense.  He had a commitment to Chattahoochee Valley CC, but signed with the Pirates during the All-Star break for $75,000 above the slot amount.

2019
R:  270/329/459, 74 AB, 5 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 5 BB, 18 K, 0-1 SB

Walker got off to a good start in the GCL, including some power.  The one negative was a lack of patience.  He played exclusively in right.  He got into only limited action due to the late signing and the extremely overcrowded outfield situation.

2020
DNP

2021
R:  200/340/300, 80 AB, 1 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 15 BB, 23 K, 9-11 SB

The Pirates sent Walker back to rookie ball, where he got sporadic playing time.  He played all three outfield positions, center the most.  He showed a lot more patience and did well as a base stealer, but didn’t hit as well as in 2019.

2022
R:  231/463/269, 26 AB, 1 2B, 9 BB, 10 K, 1-2 SB
A:  000/286/000, 10 AB, 4 BB, 5 K, 0-1 SB

Due to injuries, Walker didn’t play until late June, then he got into 14 games in the FCL.  Late in the season, Walker got into four games for Bradenton.

In four seasons, Walker has made just 235 plate appearances, only 14 of them above the rookie level.  He’ll have a lot of competition for a role in 2023.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2023: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $200,000
MiLB Debut: 2019
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2025
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2023
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 5, 2019: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 35th round, 1054th overall pick; signed on July 9.