Minor League Baseball: News: Remembering Erik Walker: 1983-2006

Erik James Walker (Photo credit: Kenji/MLB.com)
Born: 10/15/83 in Winston-Salem, NC
HT/WT: 6-4/225; Position: Pitcher

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Erik Walker Retrospective

Erik Walker was a New York-Penn League All-Star in his first professional season after being chosen by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 20th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.

10/30/2006 1:00 PM ET

More than 1,000 people poured into West Forsyth gymnasium on Sunday to say goodbye to Erik Walker. The gym was filled with members of the town where he grew up, his high school friends, members of the Charlotte 49ers softball and baseball teams and people from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization.

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Quotes

“He was a good player, a good person and a great teammate. He was exactly the kind of individual we would want wearing our Major League uniform.”

Mitch Lukevics, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

“He was an outstanding individual. He always gave time for the fans or anyone else who needed it. He was a true asset to life.”

Dave Burke, Hudson Valley Renegades GM

“Erik was a stellar baseball pitcher who was on path to graduate in the spring of 2007. More important than his athletic prowess is that Erik was just a super person and a tremendous role model. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten by the 49er family.”

Judy Rose, Charlotte 49ers Athletic Director

Career Highlights

Summary of Accomplishments

20th rd draft pick in 2006
NY-Penn League All-Star in 2006
Ranked 4th among NYP relievers with .141 opponents' avg against
Allowed the 3rd fewest baserunners per nine innings among NYP relievers
Finished tied for 9th in NYP relief pitcher points standings
Made professional debut with Hudson Valley on June 22, 2006
Second team All-Conference USA at Charlotte in 2005
Charlotte's single-season (12) and career (26) saves leader
Led Conference USA in saves in 2005
Tied for 15th in NCAA in saves as of end of 2005 regular season
Played for Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League in the summer of 2005
Played for Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plain League in 2003, 2004
Named Coastal Plain League American All-Star in 2004
Named first team all-state as a senior at West Forsyth High School

Minor League Career Totals

W	L	S	ERA	G	IP	BB	SO
3	1	6	0.48	20	37.2	6	53