When David Walker stepped to the plate in the 2011 championship game against Chaparral, he was already a .422 hitter, a two-time All State selection, as well as the heart and soul of the Perry Pumas; and he didn’t have one scholarship offer.

When Tyler Watson toed the rubber on opening day last year, having already committed to play collegiately at Loyola Marymount University, the baseball complex was buzzing with Major League scouts to see the 6’5” left hander’s explosive fastball and devastating slider. He had already committed to play collegiately at Loyola Marymount University.

Two Pumas who enjoyed success wearing the cardinal and navy that will forever be linked in school history. This summer Walker – who was selected in the 31st round by the Chicago White Sox, and Watson, whom the Washington Nationals took in the 35th – became Perry’s first professional athletes.

A couple years prior, Walker (who still holds two offensive records for PHS) would go out and do his work on the same baseball diamond, determined to be prove that he belonged among the state’s elite baseball players.

Head Coach Shane Hilstrom was quick to recall their “team-players first” attitude.

Walker is in the top-five in hitting for the White Sox, batting .303 in 26 games for the Arizona Rookie League. Even with the hefty time commitment of being a pro, he still finds time to reflect on his hometown roots.

“I definitely give the credit to my coaches…for my success and confidence.”

As of press time, Watson has started three games in the Gulf Coast League in Florida, allowing zero earned runs and striking out nine hitters in just 6.1 innings pitched. For him, the immense pride of being a Puma is still fresh in his mind.

“The first thing I’m gonna do when I get back to AZ is visit Perry,” Watson, who owns or shares six PHS pitching records, said. “There’s no way to credit the success to one person…that’s what made Perry a second home to me.”

Walker added that life is “a grind…so thankful to have the opportunity to still be playing.”

Puma Nation will certainly be looking forward to seeing these two outstanding young man excel at the highest level.