| Blake Walston | |
|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 48 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (2001-06-28)June 28, 2001 (age 23) Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 1, 2024, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 1–0 |
| Earned run average | 4.42 |
| Strikeouts | 18 |
| Teams | |
| |
Matthew Blake Walston (born June 28, 2001) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theArizona Diamondbacks ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.
Walston attendedNew Hanover High School inWilmington, North Carolina.[1] In 2019, his senior year, he went 12–0 with a 0.20 ERA, striking out 129 batters in68+2⁄3 innings pitched.[2] He was named North Carolina'sGatorade Baseball Player of the Year.[3] Walston was also named the 2019 North Carolina High School Player of the Year by Perfect Game.[4] He committed to playcollege baseball atNorth Carolina State University.[5]
TheArizona Diamondbacks chose Walston in the first round, with the 26th overall pick, in the2019 Major League Baseball draft.[6][7] He signed for $2.45 million.[8] He made his professional debut with theRookie-levelArizona League Diamondbacks before earning a promotion to theHillsboro Hops of theLow–ANorthwest League.[9] Over 11 innings between both teams, he compiled a 2.45 ERA and 17 strikeouts.[10] He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[11] To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to theVisalia Rawhide of theLow-A West.[12] He was promoted to Hillsboro (now members of theHigh-A West) in July.[13] Over 19 starts between the two teams, Walston went 4–5 with a 3.76 ERA and 117 strikeouts over95+2⁄3 innings.[14]
On November 14, 2023, the Diamondbacks added Walston to their40-man roster to protect him from theRule 5 draft.[15] He was optioned to the Triple–AReno Aces to begin the 2024 season.[16] On May 1, 2024, Walston was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[17] In 7 games (2 starts) for the Diamondbacks during his rookie campaign, Walston logged a 1-0 record and 4.42 ERA with 18 strikeouts across18+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On March 14, 2025, it was announced that Walston would undergoTommy John surgery and miss the entirety of the 2025 season.[18]
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