Nash Walters

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Nash Walters

|position = Pitcher

|team = Chunichi Dragons

|number = 94

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|5|18}}

|birth_place = Tyler, Texas, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = October 5

|debutyear = 2022

|debutteam = Los Angeles Angels

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2022 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 0–0

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 0.00

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 0

|teams =

* Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2022}})

}}

Nash Owen Walters (born May 18, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels.

Career

Walters graduated from Lindale High School in Lindale, Texas. He committed to attend Texas A&M University on a college baseball scholarship.{{Cite web|url=https://tylerpaper.com/sports/lindale-pitcher-nash-walters-signs-with-texas-a-m/article_f4010541-f51f-5418-88bd-55efd1db9b19.html|title=Lindale pitcher Nash Walters signs with Texas A&M|first=Travis|last=Yoesting|website=TylerPaper.com}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Walters in the third round, with the 90th overall selection, in the 2015 MLB draft.{{Cite web|url=https://tylerpaper.com/sports/east-texans-minter-walters-heading-to-big-leagues/article_fdee46ef-e391-5c27-aad9-1d7080906c64.html|title=East Texans Minter, Walters heading to big leagues|first=TRAVIS|last=YOESTING|website=TylerPaper.com}} He signed with the Brewers, and spent his first pro season with the rookie–level Arizona League Brewers, logging a 4.15 ERA in 11 games. Walters split the 2016 season between the AZL Brewers and the rookie–level Helena Brewers. In 14 games (9 starts), he accumulated a 5.35 ERA with 48 strikeouts in {{fraction|38|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Nash Walters Stats & Scouting Report|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/7541/nash-walters/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

Walters missed the entirety of the 2017 season with a right elbow strain. He elected to undergo Tommy John surgery in September 2017, and missed the entire 2018 season as a result.{{Cite web|title=Milwaukee Brewers: Prospects recovering from Tommy John surgery|url=https://reviewingthebrew.com/2018/12/25/milwaukee-brewers-prospects-surgery/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=reviewingthebrew.com|language=en}} He returned to action in 2019 with the rookie–level Rocky Mountain Vibes, starting 13 contests and posting a 3.40 ERA with 46 strikeouts in {{fraction|50|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Nash Walters - Stats - Pitching|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/nash-walters/25413/stats?position=P|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}} Walters did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

He spent the 2021 season with the High–A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, making 43 appearances and logging a 4.33 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 2 saves in {{fraction|60|1|3}} innings of work.{{Cite web|title=Rattlers Report: Long games, a long road trip and the end of a long hitting streak|url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/sports/mlb/rattlers/2021/06/15/timber-rattlers-report-wisconsin-goes-3-3-against-south-bend/7682474002/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=postcrescent.com|language=en}} Walters began the 2022 season with the Double–A Biloxi Shuckers, making 42 appearances and recording a 4.60 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 47.0 innings pitched. He was then promoted to the Triple–A Nashville Sounds, where he made two scoreless appearances.{{Cite web|title=2022 Los Angeles Angels Player Reviews: Nash Walters|url=https://angelsnation.com/2022-los-angeles-angels-player-reviews-nash-walters/2023/01/08/amp/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=angelsnation.com|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On September 4, 2022, Walters was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations.{{Cite web|title=Angels Acquire RHP Nash Walters From Brewers, INF Jose Rojas Claimed By Giants|url=https://angelsnation.com/angels-acquire-rhp-nash-walters-from-brewers-inf-jose-rojas-claimed-by-giants/2022/09/05/amp/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=angelsnation.com|language=en}} The Angels subsequently added him to their 40-man roster and optioned him to the Salt Lake Bees of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/09/angels-acquire-nash-walters-from-brewers.html|title=Angels Acquire Nash Walters From Brewers|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} After seven relief appearances for Salt Lake, Walters was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on September 29.{{Cite web|title=Angels’ Nash Walters: Called up Thursday|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-nash-walters-called-up-thursday/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Walters made his major league debut on October 5, pitching against the Oakland Athletics.{{cite web | url=https://www.sbsun.com/2022/10/05/shohei-ohtani-allows-one-run-in-angels-season-ending-loss/ | title=Shohei Ohtani turns page toward helping Angels reach playoffs in 2023 | date=October 5, 2022 }}

On November 15, 2022, Walters was designated for assignment. On November 18, he was non–tendered and became a free agent. He re-signed with the Angels on a minor league deal on December 14, 2022. {{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/minor-mlb-transactions-12-14-22.html | title=Minor MLB Transactions: 12/14/22 }} Walters was released by the Angels on March 24, 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-03-24/p-1 | title=Transactions }}

=Chicago White Sox=

On April 19, 2023, Walters signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox organization.https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-04-19 In 27 games split between the Double–A Birmingham Barons and Triple–A Charlotte Knights, he struggled to a cumulative 9.64 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 3 saves in 28.0 innings of work. On July 13, Walters was released by Chicago.{{Cite web|title=Nash Walters: Cut by ChiSox|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nash-walters-cut-by-chisox/|access-date=July 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Washington Nationals=

On July 21, 2023, Walters signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-07-21/p-4 In 10 games for the Double–A Harrisburg Senators, he struggled to a 6.08 ERA with 14 strikeouts and 3 saves across {{fraction|13|1|3}} innings pitched. Walters elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=May 10, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

On December 19, 2023, Walters re–signed with the Nationals organization on a new minor league contract.https://www.milb.com/player/nash-walters-663534 He split the 2024 season between the Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals, Harrisburg, and the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. In 26 appearances split between the three affiliates, Walters posted a cumulative 2.43 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 4 saves across {{fraction|33|1|3}} innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}