| P. J. Walters | |
|---|---|
 Walters with the Minnesota Twins | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1985-03-12)March 12, 1985 (age 40) Dothan, Alabama, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 17, 2009, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 3, 2013, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 6–10 |
| Earned run average | 6.28 |
| Strikeouts | 104 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Phillip DeWayne "P. J." Walters (born March 12, 1985) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSt. Louis Cardinals,Toronto Blue Jays, andMinnesota Twins.
Walters played atFaith Academy inMobile, Alabama where he had an overall record of 36–1 and set school records in several categories including career wins and single season strikeouts and ERA.[1] He next attended theUniversity of South Alabama. After the 2005 season, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theBrewster Whitecaps of theCape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[2][3][4] As a Senior he had an 11–3 record, 3.20 ERA and 166 strikeouts. He became theSun Belt Conference career leader in strikeouts and was selected as Conference co-pitcher of the year andBaseball America third team All-American.[1]
Walters was drafted by theSt. Louis Cardinals in the 11th round of the2006 player draft (346th overall).[5] He climbed three levels in 2007 and earned the Cardinals minor league pitcher of the year honors.[1] He then spent most of 2008 inTriple-AMemphis. He went 9-4 for the Cardinals' top affiliate, with a 4.87 ERA over 122 innings.[6]
Walters made his major league debut on April 17, 2009, as the starting pitcher against theChicago Cubs. He had been called up whenChris Carpenter was placed on the 15-daydisabled list.[7] He became the first Cardinals rookie to make his first major-league start atWrigley Field in nearly three decades.[8] Walters pitched 4.0 innings, leading 4-3 in the game before being replaced, pitching against veteranCarlos Zambrano, giving up 6 hits (one hit was a double), 3 runs (all earned), walked 2, struck out 7, with a 6.75 ERA. He faced 19 batters, threw 98 pitches (59 for strikes), with 4 groundouts and 1 fly out.[9] He picked up his first MLB win on May 27, 2010 when he pitched five scoreless innings against theSan Diego Padres.[10]
On July 25, 2011, Walters gave up agrand slam toHouston Astros outfielderCarlos Lee. This made Walters and Lee the first pair of players in MLB history in which the batter (Lee) hit grand slams in each of his only two at-bats against the pitcher (Walters). (The previous one had been hit on July 21, 2009.)[11] In parts of three seasons with the Cardinals, Walters was 2–0 with a 7.38 ERA in 19 appearances (four starts).[5]
On July 27, 2011, Walters was traded to theToronto Blue Jays along withColby Rasmus,Brian Tallet andTrever Miller forEdwin Jackson,Octavio Dotel,Marc Rzepczynski andCorey Patterson.[12] He pitched one scoreless inning for the Blue Jays before being demoted to the minor leagues.[5] In the remaining months of 2011, he went 1-3 with an 8.38 ERA in Triple-A for theLas Vegas 51s.[6] After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.[13]
On December 14, 2011, Walters signed a minor league contract with theMinnesota Twins.[5] He began the season with the AAARochester Red Wings, where he was the opening day starter.[1] He was called up by the Twins on May 9, 2012.[14] On May 22, 2012, Walters threw his first career complete game against theChicago White Sox in a 9-2 win.[15] He was 2–5 with a 5.69 ERA in 12 starts for the Twins in 2012[5] and 3–3 with a 4.01 ERA in 14 starts for Rochester.[6]
On October 29, Walters became a free agent after refusing his outright assignment to the minor leagues.[16] However, on November 1, Walters signed a new minor league deal with the Twins that included an invitation to spring training.[17]
The low light of his 2013 season was on June 22, when he didn't even make it out of the first inning while pitching against theCleveland Indians. He walked five batters while only getting two batters out.[18] He was designated for assignment on July 4.[19] In eight starts for the Twins in 2013, he was 2–5 with a 5.95 ERA.[5] He also started 19 games that year for Rochester and was 7–5 with a 4.18 ERA.[6]
Walters signed a minor league deal with theKansas City Royals on November 19, 2013,[5] and started the 2014 season with the Triple-AOmaha Storm Chasers. He appeared in 10 games for them, eight of which were starts and was 1–4 with a 7.97 ERA.[6]
Walters andMelky Mesa were dealt to theToronto Blue Jays for cash considerations on May 26, 2014.[20] Walters split the season between the Double-ANew Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons. He made eight starts for New Hampshire and was 2–3 with a 2.60 ERA and made nine starts for Buffalo and was 4–2 with a 4.56 ERA.[6] He was released on September 14, 2014.[21]
Walters signed a minor league deal with thePhiladelphia Phillies on November 12, 2014.[5] He did not make the roster and was released on April 4.[22] He then signed with the independentLancaster Barnstormers of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[23] He made two starts for the Barnstormers, allowing seven runs in 102⁄3 innings.[6]
Walters signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers on May 6, 2015.[24] He started four games for the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers and one for the Double-ATulsa Drillers.[6]
On June 1, 2015, Walters was traded to theWashington Nationals for cash considerations.[25] He was released on April 11, 2016.
Walters was born March 12, 1985, inDothan, Alabama.[1] He and his wife, Brittney, had three children and reside inLoxley, Alabama.[1][26]
