DUKE WELKER

2/10/86; '07 2nd; Univ. of Arkansas Fayetteville
R/R; 6-7, 221

Level

W-L-Sv

BB/9

K/9

WHIP

OAVG

ERA

2006 NJCAA

7-2-0

74.0

3.77

7.42

1.11

2.31

2007 NCAA

7-5-0

97.2

3.59

7.37

1.23

.224

3.59

2007 A-

2-2-0

30.2

2.94

7.93

1.27

.259

2.35

2008 A

4-13-0

116.0

142

3.72

5.59

1.64

.307

5.51

Welker was described by MLB.com as a "steady" starter for Arkansas. Previously he played JC ball at Seminole State in Oklahoma. When drafted, he had an above average, low 90s fastball which he threw on a good downward plane, average command, and a barely average slider. MLB.com stated that he could be a 4th/5th starter if he developed a third pitch. In other words, he had a low ceiling. He missed much of his senior year in HS and his freshman year at Seminole State due to back problems and shoulder surgery, respectively. He followed in the Pirates' tradition of overdrafts in round 2 and of drafting injury risks. Sure enough, he had to be shut down in mid-August with tightness in his forearm, which is often a prelude to elbow problems. Prior to being hurt, Welker pitched well for State College. In 2008, Welker took a big step backward. Expected to be Hickory's top starter, he struggled all year after missing part of April with a turned ankle. He got hit hard and had a very low K rate. He did post a 2.23 ground out to air out ratio, as he generally keeps the ball down. Welker's season came completely unglued in August, when he logged a 10.04 ERA and more walks than Ks. According to the Beaver County Times, his stuff was not as good as it was when he was drafted. He'll have to turn it around in 2009, either at Lynchburg or West Virginia.

Return to Right-Handed Pitchers