Outfielder Keenyn Walker, the White Sox first pick in the draft, couldn’t believe it when his name was called by the Sox on Monday night.
“When I heard my name, I was in shock,” Walker said during a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon.
Walker said he had a hard time hearing anything except his family members screaming for joy. He was the 47th player chosen overall.
Walker never would have envisioned this last year, when he was a part-time player at Central Arizona Junior College. This past season, he improved by leaps and bounds, batting.402 with 65 stolen bases in 68 attempts.
Walker almost signed with the Cubs out of high school in 2009, but opted to attend college instead.
Here are the Sox’ other top picks:
SECOND ROUND: Right-hander Erik Johnson, California; 6-4, 2.91 ERA in 16 starts. Low-to-mid 90s.
THIRD ROUND: Right-hander Jeff Soptic, RHP, Johnson County Community College. Mid-90s fastball.
FOURTH ROUND: Right-handerKyle McMillan, Kent State. Low-to-mid 90s, 1.80 ERA. Academic All-America.
FIFTH ROUND: Left-hander Scott Snodgress, Stanford; Middle reliever, 4.65 ERA.
SIXTH ROUND: Marcus Semien, SS, California; Scrappy infielder hit .272. Good glove.
SEVENTH ROUND: Kevan Smith, catcher, Pittsburgh; 6-4, 240 pounds. Batted.397 with 11 homers, 56 RBI.
