A.J. Walkenhorst
6′1″, 195 lbs.
Right Handed Pitcher
Fort Zumwalt South High School
St. Peters, Missouri
A.J. Walkenhorst is a right handed pitcher from St. Peters, Missouri. Walkenhorst’s fastball tops out in the high 80’s, but should approach 90 miles per hour by the end of spring workouts.. His best off speed pitch is a cutter that is especially tough on right handed batters. He has great command of all his pitches.
The two things Walkenhorst needs to work on are increasing the velocity on his fastball and getting stronger. He has already shown dedication to getting stronger, gaining 16 pounds between his sophomore and junior seasons. Walkenhorst heads into his senior season after an 8-2 junior campaign. He struck out 68 batters and finished with a 1.41 ERA.
St. Louis Pirates’ Video of A.J. Walkenhorst
Ft. Zumwalt South Head Coach Keith DeShurley on A.J. Walkenhorst:
Describe A.J.’s work ethic.
“AJ will get the most out of his talent. He will work hard everyday to get better. He realizes his focus on pitching can’t just be on the mound on gameday. The 4 days in between are important too. He definitely has the work ethic to succeed at the next level.”
Do you think A.J. can contribute immediately as a freshman?
“I have no doubt AJ can be an immediate contributor in some role. He’s got the mental game and depending how quickly he can adapt to college hitters might determine how big his role is right away.”
How familiar are you with the Austin Peay program and Coach McClure? What is your opinion of the program?
“Everything I have heard about the program is positive. Coach McClure’s record speaks for itself. He has made some positive connections in the St. Louis area. With everything AJ has shared with me about Austin Peay, I have confidence he is in great hands.”
Perfectgame.com on A.J. Walkenhorst
Perfectgame.com evaluated A.J. at two separate events in 2009. Here are their evaluations:
2009 National Showcase
AJ Walkenhorst is a 2010 RHP with a 6′0”, 180 lb. frame from St. Peters, MO who attends Ft. Zumwalt South HS. Medium athletic build with some strength. Slow paced delivery with pause at top, some effort in release, high 2-piece arm action. Mid 80’s FB, topped at 87 mph in the Metrodome, has some deception. Varies spin/shape on breaking ball, higher velo slider type break is sharper and later. Competes hard.
2009 Pitcher/Catcher Indoor Showcase
AJ Walkenhorst is a 2010 RHP/OF with a 6′0”, 182 lb. frame from St. Peters, MO who attends Ft. Zumwalt South HS. Medium build, good present strength. Slow paced delivery, accelerates to the plate, quick compact arm action, 3/4’s release, good life on mid 80’s FB when down in zone, topped at 86 mph. CB sharp with hard spin, good pitch, threw a couple of hammers. Pounds lower part of K zone, works quickly, workable change still developing. Polished pitcher with good stuff.
At these two events, Perfectgame.com rated Walkenhorst at 8.5 and 9, respectively. To give an idea of what this means, Perfectgame.com’s Rating Scale is shown below.
Perfectgame.com Rating Scale
10 — Potential very high draft pick, Top DI in the nation prospect
9 — Potential top 10 round pick, Top DI prospect
8 — Potential mid round pick, definite DI prospect
Notes from Official Austin Peay State University Athletics Release
Career Notes: Under head coach Keith DeShurley, compiled an 8-2 record and 1.41 ERA as a junior… in 69.2 innings pitched, struck out 68 batters and walked just 19… tossed shutout in district championship game… threw complete game, allowed one unearned run and struck out seven in state semifinal contest as team won Class 4 MSHSAA Championship… was a second-team All St. Louis Metro selection and a third-team all-state selection… was a one of two incoming players (Jordan Hankins the other) to play on St. Louis Pirates summer travel team run by former Govs standout Rick Strickland.
Coach McClure’s Comments: “I have seen A.J. pitch a lot and he has the ability to make a major difference in our starting rotation right away as a freshman. He is a competitor who comes right at you with everything he has and refuses to lose any battle. A.J. already understands what it takes to be successful on the mound.”"
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