When you hear the name Walker, you may be thinking about the Canadian baseball player, and Montreal Expos great, Larry Walker. Neil Walker, 24, a Pittsburgh native, currently playing for the Pirates, is the new starter at second base. He is replacing Akinori Iwamura, the highest paid player on the Pirates roster, commanding a 4.85 million dollar salary. Neil Walker was brought up in the Pirates system as a catcher; however he has made the move to second base quite nicely. He also brings dual eligibility by being able to play at second and third base. Walker was the 11th selection in the first round of the 2004 draft, other notables players from that draft were Justin Verlander (2nd), Jered Weaver (12th), and Billy Butler (14th).
Walker has been in the top 100 prospect list from 2005-2007, and he is finally getting his shot to prove everyone else wrong for labeling him the “bust” label. Since his promotion on May 25th, Walker is hitting .359, with four doubles, one homer, and six RBIs. Second base is a tough position to find an offensive spark out of, and Walker may just be the player to help put your team over the top in the next few weeks.
Harrison Ellman writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here
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