FMU’s David Walters signed by Baltimore Orioles

Francis Marion University senior right-handed pitcher David Walters has signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles and has been assigned to the organization’s Gulf Coast (Rookie) League squad.

The GCL is based in Florida and consists of a 60-game season beginning on June 23 and running through Aug. 31.

The GCL Orioles will face the Reds’ GCL affiliate on June 23 to open the season.
Walters, a native of River Hill, Md., led the 2009 Patriot pitching staff with 15 starts, while posting a 7-3 record and a 5.97 earned run average. He fanned 55 batters in 72.1 innings, while walking only 23.

Only nine base runners attempted to steal while he was on the mound, and four of those were unsuccessful. Defensively, he did not commit an error in 22 fielding chances en route to earning a Rawlings Gold Glove award for the Southeast Region. He was a first-team All-Peach Belt Conference selection and earned second-team Daktronics Inc. All-Southeast Region recognition.

In 2008, Walters led the Patriot pitching staff with 16 starts, while posting a 9-4 record and a 4.66 ERA. He fanned 91 batters in 92.2 innings, while walking only 27. He compiled two complete games and opponents batted only .246 against him.

Prior to coming to FMU, Walters played two seasons at Spartanburg Methodist College and posted a combined record of 15-8 with a 3.62 ERA.

He was a two-time All-County pick at River Hill High School.
Walters was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2008 MLB Draft, but chose to return to FMU for his senior season.

Francis Marion posted a 38-15-1 record in 2009 and finished second during the PBC regular season, won the PBC Tournament title, and earned its fourth NCAA Division II national tournament bid in the past seven years, placing third at the Southeast Regional. The Patriots were ranked 14th in the final 2009 Collegiate Baseball Magazine NCAA Division II Top 30 poll.