- Full name Scott Walter
- Born
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Taken one round after Mike Tonis in the 2000 draft, Walter is his opposite. Where Tonis' defense is ahead of his offense, the reverse is true with Walter. He's still adjusting his swing from aluminum to wood, but Walter should hit for more average and power than Tonis. He just needs to show more patience at the plate, staying back and trusting his swing. Walter did make progress with his throwing, blocking and game-calling skills last season. He has a ways to go, however, after erasing just 28 percent of basestealers and permitting 124 swipes in 93 games in 2001. He has been hindered by injuries in both his years a pro, losing time to a broken left thumb in 2000 and a broken left wrist last year. The Royals value defense more than offense from their catchers, so Walter will open 2002 a level behind Tonis, either in high Class A or Double-A. -
In Walter and second-round pick Mike Tonis, the Royals snagged two of the three best college catching prospects in the 2000 draft. Walter may have the most offensive upside of the three (Dane Sardinha of the Reds is the other), though Northwest League managers thought he had an aluminum-bat swing that would need a lot of refinement. He didn't get a chance to make any adjustments, as a broken hand ended his pro debut after 13 games. Based on the brief time he played, he'll definitely need to make more contact and show more patience at the plate. Though he's still considered a bit raw behind the plate and will have to improve his footwork, he did throw out five of the nine basestealers who tested him. Tonis is slated for Double-A in 2001, so Walter likely will be catching every day in high Class A.
