On May 28th, The RailCats pickup Ean Walda a right handed pitcher, who is 28 years of age.

Ean is from Harbor Springs, Michigan. He played his college ball at The University of Pikeville (Pikeville, KY). He started his professional career in the United Shore Baseball League, where he played for the 2020 season. In 2021, he played for Lake Erie of the Frontier League. In 2022, he played for Lake Erie, and then joined Lexington of the Atlantic League. In 2023, he started with Lexington and then returned to Lake Erie. So far in 2024, he has played for Charleston of the Atlantic League, and then joined the Chicago Dogs. He is now on the RailCats roster.

Looking at his professional stats, he has 5 seasons under his belt. He pitched in 66 games with a record of 6-6, starting in only 10 games, so he will be a bullpen arm for the ‘cats. He has an ERA of 5.10 and 136 innings pitched. Walda has given up 124 hits, 83 runs, 15 home runs, 101 walks, 116 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.654. Ean’s H/9 is 8.2, HR/9 is 1, BB/9 is 6.7, and SO/9 is 7.7.

He only played 1 game with the Chicago Dogs and it was May 19th against the Sioux City Explorers. He went 1.2 inning, gave up 2 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, and 2 Strikeouts.

Looking at Ean’s stats and asking around, it seems like control is an issue through the 2023 season, more likely the reason he has jumped around the indy ball leagues. This pickup seems like a move of bringing in an older player in a roster full of younger players. I’m all for giving a player a chance. If the team wasn’t struggling, I wouldn’t be batting an eye, but this move will be looked at under a microscope. But with that being said, WELCOME TO THE SOUTHSHORE!!! (I also like being proven wrong!)