Morales and Walters Selected in 2023 MLB Draft

On Sunday evening, during the first day of the 2023 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, LifeWallet athletes and University of Miami juniors Yohandy Morales and Andrew Walters received exciting news as their names were called.

Yohandy Morales was chosen by the Washington Nationals in the second round, securing the 40th overall pick, while Andrew Walters was selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the Competitive Balance Round B, being the 62nd overall pick.

Morales made a significant impact on college baseball throughout his three seasons at the University of Miami, solidifying his place in the school’s record books. He emerged as one of the most productive hitters, boasting impressive statistics. With a total of 49 career home runs, Morales stands in fourth place among all Hurricanes players, only behind Phil Lane, Pat Burrell, and Yonder Alonso. Additionally, he maintained a batting average of .343, drove in 174 runs, and achieved a remarkable 1.048 OPS.

In 2023, Morales dominated nine offensive categories for the Hurricanes, leading the team in average (.408), hits (98), home runs (20), RBI (70), at-bats (240), total bases (171), on-base percentage (.475), slugging percentage (.713), and OPS (1.187). His exceptional performance earned him All-America recognition as he ranked among the top players in program history for hits, batting average, slugging percentage, and home runs in a single season.

Andrew Walters, known for his exceptional pitching abilities, showcased his talent as one of the Hurricanes’ most notable relievers over the past three years. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-4 and weighing 222 pounds, Walters possessed an electric arm that made him a force on the mound. He accumulated a 4-1 record with an outstanding 1.41 ERA and recorded 26 saves, ranking sixth in program history.

Throughout his career, Walters, a native of Palm Bay, Florida, maintained an impressive strikeout rate of 15.0 K/9, amassing a total of 170 strikeouts over 102 innings. As a two-time consensus All-American and a finalist for the Stopper of the Year award, Walters concluded the 2023 season with a career-low 1.21 ERA, surrendering only six earned runs in 28 appearances.

With their draft selections on Sunday, the University of Miami’s legacy in the MLB Draft continues to flourish. The Hurricanes have now produced draft picks for 50 consecutive years, dating back to 1974. Additionally, the team has seen pitchers chosen in the draft for 20 consecutive seasons, highlighting the program’s consistent ability to develop and produce top talent on the mound.

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