Jack Walker ready help MSU get back to Omaha
LAKE CHARLES, La. (BVM) — During the Major League Baseball Draft, players from high school and college are eager to hear their names called. But one player that didn’t hear his name called during the draft was Barbe High School graduate and Gatorade Louisiana Baseball Player of the Year Jack Walker. Walker will now look to make the most of his time at Mississippi State.
Blessed to say that I am going to continue my education and athletic career at Mississippi State university. I am very thankful for all of the coaches, family and friends who helped me get to where I am. #HaiIState 🐶 pic.twitter.com/qUZhKzOTEa
— Jack Walker (@_jwalker_18) August 31, 2018
“Jack Walker has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in Barbe High School’s legendary baseball program,” Louisiana Prep Baseball Reports scouting director Alex Armand said in a Gatorade press release. “He has always carried himself in a very professional manner. His demeanor has positively affected his teammates and the next generation of the players in his community.”
During his final season at Barbe High School, the 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitc
her helped the Buccaneers to an overall record 39-2. Along with a great regular season, Barbe and Walker captured the Class 5A state championship and were ranked as the No. 1 high school baseball team in the nation according to MaxPreps and Perfect Game.
Along with a state championship, Walker was named 2021 Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance/Louisiana Sports Writers Association Mr. Baseball. In his final season, Walker had a 13-0 record with a 0.42 ERA. He also had 121 strikeouts in 83.2 innings of work. Another eye-popping stat for Walker was that he didn’t allow an extra-base hit all season and finished with a WHIP of 0.74.
Well we did it boys! Couldn’t ask for a better way to finish an amazing four years at Barbe. The memories that this team has made will last forever! I can’t thank the coaching staff enough for guiding me to be a better ball player and an even better person. #18out pic.twitter.com/3GOwE5k6F1
— Jack Walker (@_jwalker_18) May 17, 2021
Walker has also made a name for himself off the field. With his church, Walker has continued to volunteer and contribute a lot of time to those who were affected by Hurricane Laura just a year ago. He also delivered meals to senior citizens during the holiday season. Just as impressive as his time to charity, Walker also dedicated his time to schoolwork. At Barbe he averaged a 3.93 GPA.
With Walker’s high school career now over, Louisiana’s No. 12 prospect is now preparing to pitch for the reigning national champion Mississippi State Bulldogs.
For the first time in program history, they’re the kings of the college baseball world, your 2021 national champions, the Mississippi State Bulldogs. pic.twitter.com/VsYpPfIbeB
— SEC Baseball (@SECbaseball) July 1, 2021
While in Starkville he will get to play for one of the best managers in the Southeastern Conference in Chris Lemonis. Lemonis has an overall coaching record of 255-128-2. From the start, it was obvious that Lemonis would be successful. In his first season, he became the winningest first-year head coach in SEC history.
Walker is still young and has the potential to continue playing baseball at the highest level. And at Mississippi State, the righthander will aim to improve his skill, strengthen his draft stock and do his best to help the Bulldogs defend their title.