Miami closer Brian Walters was the 251st overall pick in the eighth round of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft. Walters is the second Miami player taken in 2025. Starting pitcher Griffin Hugus was selected 91st overall in the third round by the Seattle Mariners.
Walters will join his brother Andrew as a professional baseball player. Andrew Walters is also a Miami alum and currently pitches for the Cleveland Guardians. Walters slots in at $215,100. Walters began the season as a starter but became an elite closer when moved to the bullpen.
Walters finished the season 5-2 with 11 saves, a 4.94 earned run average in 51.0 innings, allowing 58 hits, 19 walks and 58 strikeouts. In 14 relief appearances, Walters had a 2.62 ERA in 2025. In three postseason appearances, Walters allowed three earned runs in five innings.
Walters was the eighth out of nine pitchers Philadelphia made with their first 10 selections in the 2025 MLB Draft. Six of the nine pitchers Philadelphia selected in the 2025 MLB Draft are from college. Walters is one of two from the ACC, with James Tallon from Duke the other drafted by Philadelphia.
High school outfielder Kannon Kemp was the 251st pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. Kemp plays for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League. Walters will likely play for the Philadelphia team in the Florida Complex League, Clearwater Thrashers in the Florida State League or High-A Jersey Shore Blue Claws in the South Atlantic League.
Walters has high velocity with a fastball that has been clocked at 98 miles per hour. The scouting report for Walters says he is working on expanding his repertoire. Walters likely lasted until the eighth round of the draft in part due to an injury history. Walters missed his true freshman year in 2022 with Tommy John surgery.