Scouting Grades - Definitions

Hitting/Running: Walker has quick short stroke that allows him to get his hands inside the ball. He can hit the ball to all fields and has shown big time batting practice power. Despite the BP power, some scouts didn't believe he shows the kind of game-time power needed to be a top major league first baseman which dropped his draft value. He's a well-below average runner who will move station to station.

Defense/Intangibles: A wide-body guy who doesn't have a ton of lateral movement and well-below average footspeed means he's a first baseman with little defensive value. There were mixed reports on his defense at first base, but he was once an All-SEC defensive player so he's shown some ability with the glove in the past.  

Conclusion: Walker is another one of these guys who is kind of untested at the pro-level so it's hard to really know what the Orioles have in him. There is little doubt he'd going to hit for some average and get on base, but the question will be whether he can develop into a solid 20-25 homer guy. He could easily be a top ten prospect by this time next year but he'll need to stay healthy and show some pop. With Nick Delmonico most likely scheduled for Frederick, Walker will most likely start the year in Delmarva but could move very quickly if he gets off to a fast start.