Walker to be Salem Red Sox' New Pitching Coach
34-year-old guided Greenville hurlers during 2010 season
Kevin Walker, who served as the Drive's pitching coach in 2010 as the team made a second straight trip to the South Atlantic League Championship Series, will be the only staff member not returning in 2011. A veteran of 6 big league seasons, Walker will assume the same duties with the Red Sox Advanced-A affiliate, the Salem Red Sox of the Carolina League.
Under Walker's guidance a year ago, the Drive pitching staff posted the 14-team Sally League's 3rd best overall record at 77-62, along with a 3.68 ERA. In addition, the team ranked among the league's best clubs in strikeouts (1120, 5th), base on balls (346, T-2nd), and saves (40, 3rd).
Individual performances were also the result of Walker's coaching, including right-handed pitchers Pete Ruiz and Tom Ebert ranking tied for 3rd in the league with 10 wins apiece, All-Star Dennis Neuman ranked 3rd in games finished (39), and Manuel Rivera was tops in the league with the lowest walk/9 IP ratio (1.42).
Following the season, Walker served as the pitching coaching for the Peoria Javelinas of the prestigious Arizona Fall League.
As a big leaguer, the southpaw compiled a 7-3 record and a 4.76 ERA in 122 career Major League games for the San Diego Padres (2000-03), San Francisco Giants (2004), and Chicago White Sox (2005).
A 6th round selection of Padres in 1995, Kevin saw his first big league action in 2000, going 7-1 with a 4.19 ERA in a career-high 70 outings, 2nd most among Major League rookies that year. His 14-year pro pitching career also included stints in the Texas Rangers (2006) and Colorado Rockies (2007) systems, and 2 seasons with the Camden Riversharks of the independent Atlantic League (2007-08).
Under Walker's guidance a year ago, the Drive pitching staff posted the 14-team Sally League's 3rd best overall record at 77-62, along with a 3.68 ERA. In addition, the team ranked among the league's best clubs in strikeouts (1120, 5th), base on balls (346, T-2nd), and saves (40, 3rd).
Individual performances were also the result of Walker's coaching, including right-handed pitchers Pete Ruiz and Tom Ebert ranking tied for 3rd in the league with 10 wins apiece, All-Star Dennis Neuman ranked 3rd in games finished (39), and Manuel Rivera was tops in the league with the lowest walk/9 IP ratio (1.42).
Following the season, Walker served as the pitching coaching for the Peoria Javelinas of the prestigious Arizona Fall League.
As a big leaguer, the southpaw compiled a 7-3 record and a 4.76 ERA in 122 career Major League games for the San Diego Padres (2000-03), San Francisco Giants (2004), and Chicago White Sox (2005).
A 6th round selection of Padres in 1995, Kevin saw his first big league action in 2000, going 7-1 with a 4.19 ERA in a career-high 70 outings, 2nd most among Major League rookies that year. His 14-year pro pitching career also included stints in the Texas Rangers (2006) and Colorado Rockies (2007) systems, and 2 seasons with the Camden Riversharks of the independent Atlantic League (2007-08).