Blake Walston

About

Matthew Blake Walston (born June 28, 2001) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024. Career Walston attended New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 2019, his senior year, he went 12–0 with a 0.20 ERA, striking out 129 batters in 68+2⁄3 innings pitched. He was named North Carolina's Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year. Walston was also named the 2019 North Carolina High School Player of the Year by Perfect Game. He committed to play college baseball at North Carolina State University. The Arizona Diamondbacks chose Walston in the first round, with the 26th overall pick, in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He signed for $2.45 million. He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona League Diamondbacks before earning a promotion to the Hillsboro Hops of the Low–A Northwest League. Over 11 innings between both teams, he compiled a 2.45 ERA and 17 st...