- Full name William Kenneth Ivar Waltrip
- Born 07/01/1992 in Long Beach, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Oklahoma
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Drafted in the 12th round (349th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2013 (signed for $100,000).
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Waltrip was a 12th-round pick by the Orioles in 2012 after his fastball velocity jumped to 90-95 mph at Seminole State (Okla.) JC, up from the mid-80s when he was a freshman. He transferred to Oklahoma, where he was supposed to solidify the rotation behind Jonathan Gray and Dillon Overton. Instead, Waltrip battled the strike zone and wound up in the Sooners bullpen. At his best, the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder pitches with a 92-94 mph fastball and a plus slider. He also has worked at 88-91 mph, but he hasn't been able to locate his fastball at either velocity range. Though his control and command still need a lot of work and he profiles as a reliever, he's a lefthander with two big league pitches.
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Draft Prospects
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Waltrip was a 12th-round pick by the Orioles in 2012 after his fastball velocity jumped to 90-95 mph at Seminole State (Okla.) JC, up from the mid-80s when he was a freshman. He transferred to Oklahoma, where he was supposed to solidify the rotation behind Jonathan Gray and Dillon Overton. Instead, Waltrip battled the strike zone and wound up in the Sooners bullpen. At his best, the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder pitches with a 92-94 mph fastball and a plus slider. He also has worked at 88-91 mph, but he hasn't been able to locate his fastball at either velocity range. Though his control and command still need a lot of work and he profiles as a reliever, he's a lefthander with two big league pitches. -
Waltrip did little to impress scouts as a Seminole State freshman in 2011, working in the mid-80s and with below-average control as a reliever. He since has added 25 pounds and his fastball has gotten stronger as well, sitting in the low 90s and topping out at 95 mph. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder shows promising feel for both a slider and curveball, and scouts believe he'll develop at least an average breaking ball. His changeup is very much a work in progress, and his command and control still need improvement. But there aren't many lefthanders who can hit 95 mph, and he should be signable out of junior college. If he doesn't turn pro, he'll pitch at Oklahoma in 2013.
