Bucknell University Athletics
KYLE WALTER '06
6/23/2006 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
Kyle Walter was selected in the 18th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. The four-time All-Patriot League honoree spent the majority of his career with the Bison as the team's centerfielder, but was drafted by the Blue Jays as a pitcher with the 540th overall pick and was assigned to the Pulaski Blue Jays of the rookie level Appalachian League.
One of the most prolific hitters in Patriot League history, Walter graduated as the first Bucknell player and second in Patriot League history to earn All-League honors all four years in his collegiate career. He further etched his way into Bison baseball history by becoming just the third player to reach the 200 career hits plateau and broke the career doubles mark his senior season. Walter amassed 210 hits in his four years with the Orange and Blue, good for second all-time in Bucknell annals and sixth on the Patriot League list at the time.
In 2006, the centerfielder added pitching to his repertoire despite not having played the position since high school. The hard throwing left-hander made seven appearances with one start and compiled a 0-1 record, striking out 13 batters in 10 innings. Five of the strikeouts came in his collegiate debut against Fresno State in which he fanned the first four batters he faced.
His senior year, Walter played in 47 of the squad's 48 games with 46 starts and hit .335 with a team-best 37 RBI, 33 runs scored and 17 doubles to go along with three triples and three home runs. He was a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts as well.
Walter spent his first professional season with the Pulaski Blue Jays in 2006 where he started 11 games on the mound, striking out 20 in 22.2 innings of work and compiling a 4.37 ERA.
After making one start for Pulaski in 2007, Walter was promoted to the class-A short season Auburn Doubledays of the New York-Penn League. With the Doubledays, Walter started 15 games for a total of 63 innings. He was 1-5 with a 6.00 ERA and recorded 49 strikeouts, helping the squad capture the 2007 New York-Penn League title.
Walter's Up-to-Date Statistics
Auburn Doubledays Web Site
