29 July, 2005


P.J. Walters

The Brewster Whitecaps were dealt an ace when they picked up P.J. Walters from South Alabama University.

"P.J. is doing a nice job," said Brewster manager Bob Macaluso. "He's thrown a lot of innings this season."

The 6-4 right hander is 5-1 with a 2.30 ERA. He won his first five starts and has 45 strikeouts in 43 innings of work. He's given up 36 hits and walked 15.

"I just kind of change speeds," he said of his pitching style. "I move the ball in and out and change speeds a little bit, use my change up a lot."

Walters is not a power pitcher but he's a crafty worker.

"I pitch almost the same (as in college) but I like the wood bats," he said.

He worked through 128 innings at South Alabama, compiling a 10-7 record. He whiffed 127 and walked only 27. He was 36-1 at Faith Academy in Mobile Alabama, including a 13-0 mark as a senior in which he walked just four while striking out 123.

"I like it here," he said. "It's a nice place. The weather seems nice. Back home it's a lot hotter. Once it gets dark here it cools off. It's a pretty nice place. All the people are real friendly."

The Whitecaps have struggled to a 14-21 record.

"We just have to be in games more," Walters said. "We have a lot of games we're way behind of way ahead. If we have more one and two runs games we have to win them late."

Walters is enjoying his chance to see players from some of the big time schools.

"I just wanted to see how the competition is out there," he said. "It'll be a lot of fun next year playing against some of these guys and seeing how they're doing." 

By Rich Eldred
reldred@cnc.com