Keenyn Walker has the distinction of being drafted by both the White Sox and the Cubs.
The 26-year-old outfielder’s first opportunity to play for a team in Chicagoland, however, will come with the Windy City ThunderBolts.
Walker, the White Sox’s first-round pick in 2011, signed with the T-Bolts after the White Sox released him April 4.
“It’s ironic that now I’m in Chicago and it’s to play here in independent ball,” Walker said. “I know almost all the players on the White Sox from the minors and a few of the Cubs. It’d be great to be up there playing with them, but I’m here and I’ve just got to play.
“I still believe I can play in the big leagues, and hopefully this is just a minor detour.”
Walker was patrolling the outfield at Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood for the first time Thursday as the T-Bolts opened spring training.
The team opens the season at home at 7:05 p.m. May 12 against the Washington Wild Things.
Walker was drafted by the Cubs out of high school, but chose to play collegiately at Central Arizona. He spent at least parts of six seasons in the White Sox organization. He spent most of the last four years at Class AA Birmingham.
In 2016, he hit .240 with three home runs, 28 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 95 games at Birmingham. He struck out 106 times in 329 at-bats.
For Walker, attempting to live up to the expectations of being a first-round draft pick was tough at times.
“The first couple years, I put a lot of pressure on myself,” he said. “After that, I did a better job handling that. I struggled at (Birmingham) a bit, but I think last year I started to get over that self-doubt and I was having fun out there.”
Walker found his way to the T-Bolts thanks to his relationship with outfielder Coco Johnson, who returns for his third season with the team. The pair played together at Central Arizona before Johnson transferred to Louisville.
“Coco is one of my best friends,” Walker said. “I talked to him a little bit about this team and this league, and it’s good to get to play with him again.”
T-Bolts manager Ron Biga expects Walker to start in center field and hit at or near the top of the lineup.
“He’s a true five-tool guy,” Biga said. “We’re glad to have someone with so much experience. His plan is to play well here and get picked up again. That’s part of what we’re here for, so if that’s how it works out, that’s great.”
Walker is one of five new outfielders on the spring training roster, with Johnson the only returnee from last year’s 42-53 team.
Much of the infield is back from last year, including St. Laurence graduate Kyle Wood at first base, Tim Zier at second, Ransom LaLonde at shortstop and Blair Beck at third.
Starters Clay Chapman, Jake Fisher, Brady Muller, Kyle Von Ruden and Tyler Murphy are among 10 returning pitchers.
“We really like our pitching and expect to be strong defensively,” Biga said. “We didn’t get much offensively from our outfield last year, so we’ll be expecting a big improvement there with Walker and the other new guys.”
Steve Millar is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
