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Brandon Walter

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For the Indigenous Australian actor, see Brandon Walters.

Brandon Walter
Houston Astros
Pitcher
Born: (1996-09-08) September 8, 1996 (age 28)
New Castle, Delaware, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 22, 2023, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average6.26
Strikeouts16
Teams

Brandon Lee Walter (born September 8, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox.

Early life and amateur career

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Walter grew up in New Castle, Delaware, and attended Hodgson Vo-Tech High School, where he played for the school's baseball team. He finished his high school career with a 23–3 win–loss record and a 0.83 earned run average (ERA).[1]

Walter attended the University of Delaware and played college baseball for the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens. He became the Blue Hens' primary weekend starter as a freshman and was named third team All-Colonial Athletic Association after going 7–3 with a 3.63 ERA and 85 strikeouts.[2] Walter tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in the ninth start of his sophomore season, requiring him to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the year and his entire junior season.[3] He returned in 2019 and went 5–6 with a 3.86 ERA while striking out 106 batters over 86+1⁄3 innings pitched.[4]

Professional career

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Boston Red Sox

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The Boston Red Sox selected Walter in the 26th round, with the 797th overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[5] After signing with the team, he was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, where he posted a 4–1 record and 2.70 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 33+1⁄3 innings pitched across 13 appearances. Walter did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Walter began the 2021 season with the Low-A Salem Red Sox.[7] He was promoted to the High-A Greenville Drive after posting a 1.45 ERA over 13 appearances.[8] Walter made 25 appearances with 14 starts between the two teams and was named the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year after having a 2.92 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a .199 batting average against.[7]

Walter began the 2022 season in Double-A with the Portland Sea Dogs.[9] In June, he was promoted to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.[10] On November 15, 2022, Walter was added to Boston's 40-man roster.[11] Walter was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to begin the 2023 season.[12] Through 13 games (12 starts), Walter struggled to a 6.28 ERA with 64 strikeouts across 61+2⁄3 innings pitched.

On June 22, Walter was added to Boston's active roster for the first time.[13] He made his major-league debut that day, pitching 6+2⁄3 innings in relief, allowing three runs.[14] He was then optioned back to Worcester,[15] recalled to Boston on July 4,[16] and returned to Worcester on July 24.[17] He was next recalled to Boston on August 9,[18] and returned to Worcester two days later.[19] Walter picked up his first MLB save on July 8, 2023, pitching 3 innings in a Red Sox victory over Oakland. [20] Walter spent additional time with the Red Sox during September, when major-league rosters expanded to 28 players.[21] Walter was named the winner of the Red Sox' Lou Gorman Award for 2023, recognizing a player who exhibited perseverance in overcoming obstacles to reach the major leagues.[22]

Walter was optioned to Triple-A Worcester prior to the start of the 2024 season.[23] He did not appear for Boston due to a rotator cuff injury, and was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Lucas Sims on July 30, 2024.[24] He was released by the Red Sox organization on August 2.[25]

Houston Astros

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On August 15, 2024, Walter signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.[26]

References

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  1. ^ "After elbow surgery, Walter returns to Delaware pitching rotation". The News Journal. February 14, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  2. ^ Rendleman, John (May 24, 2016). "UNCW Seahawks dominate All-CAA baseball team". wwaytv3.com. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  3. ^ "Red Sox Lefthander Brandon Walter Enjoys Breakout 2021 season". Baseball America. January 14, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  4. ^ "Delaware pitchers Peluse, Lawson and Walter chosen in MLB Draft". The News Journal. June 5, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  5. ^ "Brandon Walter was a 26th-round draft pick. So how did he become one of the Red Sox' top pitching prospects?". The Boston Globe. December 13, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Browne, Ian (December 2, 2021). "Sox 26th-rounder ... to Pitcher of the Year". MLB.com. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  8. ^ Garyantes, Patrick (August 4, 2021). "Former Hen Brandon Walter turning things around in High A". DelawareLive.com. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  9. ^ Callis, Jim (April 6, 2022). "Here's where Red Sox Top 30 prospects are starting '22". MLB.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Campbell, Brendan (June 3, 2022). "Cup of Coffee: Walter's Worcester debut a short one, Murphy impresses for Portland". soxprospects.com. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  11. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. November 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  12. ^ "Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Sent to minor-league camp". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  13. ^ "Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Called up for MLB debut". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  14. ^ Browne, Ian (June 22, 2023). "Walter harkens back to 1944 in 20-out relief debut". MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  15. ^ "Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Sent back to Triple-A". CBS Sports. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  16. ^ "Red Sox announce roster moves". MLB.com (Press release). Boston Red Sox. July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  17. ^ Campbell, Lauren (July 24, 2023). "Red Sox roster moves: Boston reinstates Pablo Reyes, options 2 relief pitchers". masslive.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  18. ^ "Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Summoned to majors". CBS Sports. August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "Chris Sale activated off injured list for first Red Sox start since June to face off against Tigers". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  20. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS202307080.shtml
  21. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. September 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  22. ^ Speier, Alex (September 26, 2023). "Minor league honors offer Red Sox chance to reflect on their developing homegrown pitching pipeline". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  23. ^ Cotillo, Chris (March 6, 2024). "Red Sox make first roster cuts of spring training, sending down 7 players". masslive.com. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  24. ^ "After trade, Red Sox DFA injured former top pitching prospect". masslive.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  25. ^ "Brandon Walter: Becomes free agent". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  26. ^ https://www.mlb.com/astros/roster/transactions
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Awards
Preceded by Lou Gorman Award
2023 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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