Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Kyle Walter Selected by Toronto in 18th Round of MLB Draft
6/7/2006 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 7, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell senior Kyle Walter (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area) was selected in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. 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.
Walter becomes the first member of the Bucknell baseball squad since 2004 to be chosen in the MLB draft when Kevin Miller was taken in the 25th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Walter is also the highest selection for the Orange and Blue since Kevin McDowell went in the 15th round in 2001.
One of the most prolific hitters in Patriot League history, Walter is the lone 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 this past 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.
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.
This season 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.
