University of Memphis Athletics
Chattanooga State Hurler Alan Walden Signs with Memphis
Nov 23, 2010 | Baseball
Nov. 23, 2010
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Head coach Daron Schoenrock and the Memphis Tigers baseball program brought the 2010 early signing period to a close by signing Chattanooga State right-hander Alan Walden, Tuesday.
"Alan was one of the top pitchers in all of the southeast coming out of high school," said Schoenrock. "We are thrilled to now have him coming into our program. He will flourish this season for Coach Dennis at Chattanooga State, and we look forward to Alan bringing that success to the University of Memphis."
A highly-touted recruit out of Red Bank High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., Walden signed with Tennessee in 2008, but transferred to Chattanooga State after tossing just 15 1/3 innings and fanning nine in 15 outings as a freshman.
A member of four-straight district championship teams at Ooltewah High School and Red Bank High School, Walden was one of the region's top pitchers in his prep career. He went 8-3 with a 2.71 ERA and 75 strikeouts in just 62 innings as a junior. Behind the 6-foot-2 power pitcher, Red Banks marched to a 25-16 finish and claimed both District and Regional titles in 2008. PG Crosschecker.com ranked Walden as the No. 3 pitching prospect and No. 10 overall prospect in the state of Tennessee. With a fastball clocked as high as 94 miles-per hour, Walden was invited to participate in the East Coast Professional Showcase, sponsored by Major League Baseball. An elbow injury cut his senior season short. However, he was later drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 43rd Round of the 2009 Major League First-Year Player Draft.
