Neil Walker's career could be coming to a close, as Phillies DFA former Pirates star

Kevin Gorman
Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 8:50 p.m. | Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 8:50 p.m.

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Philadelphia Phillies’ Neil Walker pitches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Neil Walker was a standout player at Pine-Richland before being selected by the Pirates in the first round of 2004 draft.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Second baseman Neil Walker returns to the Pirates’ dugout after strking out in his final at-bat in a 4-0 loss to the Cubs in the National League wild card game on Oct. 7, 2015, at PNC Park.

After 12 seasons in the major leagues, Neil Walker’s major league career could be coming to a close.

The 35-year-old Pine-Richland alum and former Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft pick, one of the cornerstones for the franchise turnaround that led to three consecutive wild-card playoff berths, was designated for assignment Friday by the Philadelphia Phillies.

After a standout football and baseball career at Pine-Richland, where he was the Tribune-Review’s co-Athlete of the Year, Walker was the No. 11 overall pick of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Pirates as a catcher.

This season @NeilWalker18 celebrates 10 years of major league service. He spoke with @jcrasnick about his baseball journey over the last decade.

Congratulations on reaching this monumental career milestone, Neil!

Read the full story: https://t.co/8CiXyFIlr1 pic.twitter.com/sQEQxF7CyY

— MLBPA (@MLB_PLAYERS) August 18, 2020

Walker converted to second base by the time the Pirates promoted him to the majors, and he finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2010. Walker slashed .272/.338/.431 with 174 doubles, 93 home runs and 418 RBIs in seven seasons with the Pirates, winning a Silver Slugger award in 2014.

Walker was traded to the New York Mets in 2016 for pitcher Jon Niese, and later played for the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins before making the Phillies as a nonroster invitee this season. He batted .231 with three doubles and three RBIs in 18 games with the Phillies. He also pitched 2/3 of an inning in an 11-4 loss to Baltimore on Aug. 13, facing three batters without giving up a hit.

So fortunate to be able to honor “The Great One” tonight in Miami! #Letsgophils pic.twitter.com/jSd5dOBE3j

— Neil Walker (@NeilWalker18) September 10, 2020

Walker’s father, Tom, pitched in the majors and helped Roberto Clemente load the cargo plane with relief supplies for earthquake victims in Nicaragua on the night his plane crashed in 1972. Neil Walker showed his hometown roots by wearing a No. 21 patch in honor of the Pirates great on Thursday in his final game with the Phillies.

Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.