Name: Tayshaun Walton
Position: OF
Born: January 29, 2005
Country: US
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height/Weight: 6’3″ 225lbs
How Acquired: Drafted in the 4th Round of the 2023 Draft by the Phillies
Signed: July 18, 2023
Bonus: $499,100
Options Remaining: 3
Rule 5 Eligible: 2027
MiLB Free Agency: 2029
Stats
Prospect Rankings
Role: Average Regular
Risk: High – Walton is a high school corner outfielder who has not yet hit for home run power and has only 5 games of pro ball.
Summary: Walton was the third of three straight interesting high school bats the Phillies took to open the 2023 draft. Like Miller and Saltiban, he had some risks that scared off teams at the time of the draft. Baseball America reported that he missed the showcase circuit in 2022 with an arm injury. Overall, all the pre-draft reports listed his lack of balls in the air as his biggest problem. He is a corner outfielder all the way, though he isn’t going to be a negative in either corner spot. That is going to put pressure on his bat to perform. He has plenty of raw power, Baseball America reported he had the 4th highest max exit velocity at the Draft Combine. He hit multiple balls over 100mph in his brief appearance in the FCL after signing as well. His swing does have a bit of length with a bit of a late load in the swing itself, but he stays connected through his body. I am not a swing expert, but it doesn’t look like a swing overhaul is required, but maybe quieting some of his motion and getting his timing in a place where he catches the ball more out in front to drive it. He is going to need to get to at least average game power to have a future in a corner, and there is certainly room in his body and bat for plus raw power, so he can get there. There likely is not going to be much margin for error at each level, but he could exceed expectations if he is really able to fully tap into his physicality.
2024 Outlook: Walton has a fairly advanced bat for a high schooler, and as a high pick the Phillies are likely to send him to Clearwater to play corner outfield. He probably spends most of the year in Florida.
Role: Average Regular
Risk: High – Walton is a high school corner outfielder who has not yet hit for home run power and has only 5 games of pro ball.
Summary: Walton was the third of three straight interesting high school bats the Phillies took to open the 2023 draft. Like Miller and Saltiban, he had some risks that scared off teams at the time of the draft. Baseball America reported that he missed the showcase circuit in 2022 with an arm injury. Overall, all the pre-draft reports listed his lack of balls in the air as his biggest problem. He is a corner outfielder all the way, though he isn’t going to be a negative in either corner spot. That is going to put pressure on his bat to perform. He has plenty of raw power, Baseball America reported he had the 4th highest max exit velocity at the Draft Combine. He hit multiple balls over 100mph in his brief appearance in the FCL after signing as well. His swing does have a bit of length with a bit of a late load in the swing itself, but he stays connected through his body. I am not a swing expert, but it doesn’t look like a swing overhaul is required, but maybe quieting some of his motion and getting his timing in a place where he catches the ball more out in front to drive it. He is going to need to get to at least average game power to have a future in a corner, and there is certainly room in his body and bat for plus raw power, so he can get there. There likely is not going to be much margin for error at each level, but he could exceed expectations if he is really able to fully tap into his physicality.
2024 Outlook: Walton has a fairly advanced bat for a high schooler, and as a high pick the Phillies are likely to send him to Clearwater to play corner outfield. He probably spends most of the year in Florida.