Zaid
Walker

6/6/18 - Drafted in the 36th round by the Cincinnati Reds out of Homewood-Flossmoor HS.

5.1.18 - Adding from Week 5 Scout Blog. Played CF and hit three-hole. Walker looks extremely dialed in at the plate right now, intimidating presence in the box, comfortable setup, slightly open. Staying plate disciplined and recognizing pitches he can do damage to, knowing he will not see much. Ball jumps off the bat, made consistent plus contact, confident and convicted in his swings. Took four swings on Tuesday in five plate appearances - 1) FB in, short hopped LC fence, 2B. 2) CB in, barreled long foul ball pull side. 3) same AB, next pitch CB mid, barreled hard line out to deep LF. 4) FB down, deep HR to LF. Intentionally walked in other two plate appearance, both to load the bases. Ran a 4.47 on the turn of his double, later stole third. Arm carries and accurate, easy arm strength. Never challenged in CF, made all the routine plays. In two games this week has seven hits - 2 doubles, 3 HR; 10 RBI. Day two type draft prospect.

4.20.18 - Michigan State commit. 6-foot-2, 215-pound right/right outfielder, plus build that carries strength, powerful lower half. Strength carries over onto the field, shows easy pop, ball jumps of the bat, path looks to be creating better launch angle than in the past. Good approach to the big part of the field, stayed back well on a soft tossing lefty, lined a backspinning base hit to center and a deep flyout to right center. Defensively arm carries, played right field, enough speed to profile in center.

2.4.18 (Super 60) - Michigan State recruit. 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Overall rare physical specimen, not many high school baseball players fill out a uniform quite like him; rock-solid muscle, proportionally strong throughout with extremely strong lower half; explosive quick-twitch athlete. Ran a 6.63 laser-timed 60 (previously ran a 6.46 at summer PBR ProCase). Offensively, generates advanced bat speed, mechanically quiet, rhythm in the load, utilizes lower half well, maintains excellent balance throughout. Inconsistent swing path resulted in uneven results during BP, tendency to top-spin the baseball to the pullside. The raw man-strength and explosiveness still shined, as he delivered the hardest hit ball during BP, 109.22, per FlightScope data, that carried 378.22 feet. Also registered 94 mph exit velocity off the tee with wood. ... Defensively, profiles as a corner outfielder with the arm strength to stick in right field; clocked at 93 mph from the outfield, carries well to the target, effort in the throw. Moves aggressively to the ball with fluid strides. Overall, Walker's physicality, freakish athleticism and explosive tools should make him a high-interest draft prospect this June.

7.11.17 - Michigan State recruit, currently ranked No. 70 overall, No. 2 in Illinois’ 2018 class. 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, muscular, athletic build, developed lower half, proportionally strong; overall explosive quick-twitch athlete. Established himself as a high-level draft prospect with his performance at Midwest ProCase. Showcased premium tools: Ran a laser-timed 6.46 60, powerful strider; registered 98 mph exit velocity and was clocked at 91 from the outfield. Offensively, generates advanced bat speed and lift with pullside power. Slightly open setup, consistently gets squared, aggressive approach, occasionally gets rotational and pulls off. Gets out of the box well for his size and swing, running a 4.18 on a 6-3 putout. Defensively, profiles as corner outfielder with legitimate arm strength for right field. Moves with fluidity and purpose, aggressive to the ball, throws have carry and on target. Overall, Walker is a physical specimen with big tools.

5.31.17 - Michigan State commit, currently ranked No. 7 in the Illinois’ 2018 class and No. 137 overall. 6-foot-2, 215-pound, muscular, athletic build. Continues to add strength to his frame and looks noticeably more physical. Right-handed hitter, hits in the three-hole, finished the day 1-for-2  with a walk and scored the lone run of the game for the Vikings. Starts from a balanced, open setup, stride gets back to even and fluid rhythm throughout. Loose, quick hands and creates explosive bat speed. Natural lift in swing and gets extension through contact. Defensively, athletic arm action in the outfield, throws carry and stay true. 2018 draft follow.

4.25.17 - Michigan State commit. 6-foot-2, 215-pound, athletic, muscular body, strong legs and forearms, sloped shoulder, will continue to get stronger, powerful body.  Offensively, open stance and slightly crouched at the plate and has rhythm in his swing. Swings the bat with aggression, intent, fast hands and plus bat speed.  Should be able to handle velocity and develop power in the future. Easy swing and the ball jumps off the bat with a pull approach. Shows patience at the plate, doesn’t expand and sees the ball well. On the day, went 3-for-3 with three RBI, a stolen base, a double and a walk. In the outfield, showed a plus arm, and the ball carries with an easy arm action. Impressive, athlete prospect, should draw draft interest next spring.   With some very minor tweaks at the plate, kid can really develop into an elite hitter at the HS level. Impressive athletic prospect

9.8.16 - Verbally committed to Michigan State.

Future Games 2016 - 6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletic build, proportional strength with room for continued growth; strong quick-twitch athlete.  During Thursday’s positional workout, separated himself with his high-level tools and offensive prowess. Offensively, generates elite bat speed with his hands, maintains excellent balance throughout, level, line-drive swing with power potential; had one of the top overall BP rounds during the positional workout. Registered 96 mph exit velocity and ran a 6.76 laser-timed 60, powerful strider, speed has steadily improved over the years. Defensively, relatively new to the outfield, still figuring out the nuances of the position after transitioning from third base. Possesses plus arm strength, 92 mph from the outfield. Overall, should become a high-follow draft prospect in the 2018 class.

7.30.16 - 6-foot-2, 185-pound, physical, defined, right-handed hitting outfielder. Showcased a strong arm from right field throughout the game. Two outfield assists on the day. Moving toward the line in right field, planted, spun and threw a strike to third base for his second outfield assist of the day. Offensively, bat speed is present. Went 0-for-2 with a walk.

4.19.16 - Ranked No. 7 in the Illinois class of 2018 and No. 114 overall. 6-foot-2, 200-pound, muscular, athletic, right-handed hitting outfielder. Not much new to report since he was one of the top prospects at the Underclass Invite in January. Has a high ceiling at the plate with some of the best bat speed in the sophomore class. Went 0-for-3 with two groundouts to third. 4.58 down the line. Played center field, showing a strong, accurate arm with carry in pre-game. One of the top 2018 prospects in Illinois.

1.17.16 - 6-foot-2, 195-pound, right-handed hitting OF/3B. Offensively hits from a balanced, open stance. Smooth load with a short stride. Showed explosive bat speed. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and extension thru contact. Strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.29. Defensively took drills in the outfield and at third base. In the outfield has a short, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Throws showed carry at 84 mph. Plays thru the ball with a slower release. In the infield showed smooth actions with good body control, fielded ball close to body. Threw 82 mph across the infield.

10.2.15 - Athletic body 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, athletic stance and fluid pre-pitch rhythm. Flashed quick hands at the plate. Smooth runner and athletic actions. Prospect to follow in the 2018 class.

2.5.15 - An early consideration for the No. 1 player in the 2018 class. 6-foot-1, 180-pound muscular and physical build, also impressed defensively at third base. Threw 82 mph with carry from the outfield, 79 mph across the diamond from third base at the Cangelosi College Camp. Hits from on open stance, wide base, well above average bat speed for age. Impressed with feel for barrel, drives the baseball to all fields.

1.18.15 - 6-foot-1, 180-pound athletic right-handed hitting 3B hits from a crouched, open setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, lower half is aggressive, advanced approach at the plate, short, powerful, slightly uphill bat path, gets extension, drove balls to left-centerfield with authority during batting practice, 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 84 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy, soft hands fielding the baseball, stays back could attack the baseball more. Ran a 7.51 60. Walker will be a high follow prospect in the 2018 class thanks to his bat, arm strength, and quality infield actions.

3.9.14 - 5-foot-8, 160-pound athletic, well built two way player with strong legs. On the infield he showed extremely well. Looked natural at 3B and SS, moving with fluid feet, fielding with soft hands that work out in front, clean exchanges, plays through balls athletically. Arm works well, short and loose from a high ¾ slot at 76 mph across the diamond with carry and accuracy. Posted a 7.73 60 time. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance, short stride, quality balance through contact. Showed swagger when standing in the box. Swing is simple and repeatable, short to the ball with gap-to-gap barrel control and advanced bat speed, strong contact. Exit velocity off the tee was 78 mph. On the mound his delivery has regular effort, arm works the same as on the infield. Fastball was straight, 70-73 mph. Throws a slider with soft action, 59-63 mph. Also throws a knuckle ball at 56-57 mph.