Keenyn Walker Scouting Report

Position:  OF

Height/Weight:  6'3/195  

Bats/Throws:  Both/Right

Birthday:  August 12th, 1990

Hometown/School:  Salt Lake City - Central Arizona CC

STATS

Walker was selected by the White Sox in the supplemental first round (47th overall) in 2011.  Keenyn Walker's biggest strength is speed.  Keith Law and others have given him an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale.  Last year, Walker successfully stole 56 bases on 71 attempts.  Baseball America has named Walker as the White Sox's fastest baserunner in the past two years.

Walker is still very raw and has some untapped power that should give him many doubles and triples over the next seasons.  However, he still suffers from a large strikeout-rate which is the biggest reason for concern surrounding him.  As a projected leadoff hitter, this obviously needs to change.  Here are a couple opinions and reports on Walker:

ScoutingBook.com:

A young, tools-heavy outfielder picked up in the 2011's A-round, White Sox prospect Keenyn Walker broke out quickly at Rookie-level Great Falls, slashing .333/.441/.483 and looking like a loaded weapon with eleven steals in only fifteen games. He struggled hard when moved up to low-A ball, however, squeezing out only a .228/.296/.259 line while looking overmatched by even average breaking pitches. 

But, and you know how this part goes: he's young, and has a lot to learn and a lot of time to learn it. Still only 20 years old, his plus plus speed should manifest itself into better defense and better on-basery in the years to come, and some good guidance and coaching should help him get there. He won't ever develop massive power, but he should be capable enough of doubles and triples, once he learns to swing at the right pitches. He's several years away from MLB useful.

John Sickels:

Drafted in the supplemental first round last year out of Central Arizona Junior College, Walker is a switch-hitter with top shelf speed (at least 70 on the 20-80 scale), premium athleticism, and a strong throwing arm. He has some power potential as well, although he hasn't tapped into that yet. Main worry here is contact: he fans more than once per game, but he'll take a walk too.