Walter Pennington

Walter Carlton Pennington IV

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.
• School Colorado School of Mines
• High School Broomfield High School
• Debut July 5, 2024

• Born April 14, 1998 in Broomfield, CO USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Walter Pennington earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO. Graduating in 2020, it's not clear if he would have been drafted in a normal year, but with the 2020 amateur draft reduced to just five rounds, there was no way a player with his profile would get picked, and he had to sign his first contract with the Kansas City Royals as an undrafted free agent, for a minimal bonus.

He reached the majors in 2024 after a couple of solid seasons as a long reliever in the minors in 2022 and 2023. He went 6-3, 5.19 with 3 saves in 36 games the first year, and 7-2, 3.18 with 1 save in 49 games in 2023, reaching AAA during the season. Before his call-up, 4-3, 2.35 in 35 games for the Omaha Storm Chasers of the International League. His debit on July 5th came at Coors Field, where he had attended countless games growing up in the suburbs of Denver, CO. Facing the Colorado Rockies, he struck out the first batter he faced, Nolan Jones then got Michael Toglia to ground out to end the 8th inning of a 4-2 Royals loss. He was the first alumnus from his college to play in the majors. He was his only appearance with the Royals, as he went back to the minors after the game, then on July 29th was traded to the Texas Rangers in return for veteran pitcher Michael Lorenzen.

Further Reading

• Anne Rogers: "'Dream come true': Pennington makes MLB debut in hometown: Lefty reliever strikes out first batter he faces in same stadium he grew up attending games", mlb.com, July 6, 2024. [1]

Related Sites

• Walter Pennington on mlb.com
• Colorado School of Mines bio