The Canaries Re-Sign Walters and Bring Back RHP Dunaway
SIOUX FALLS, SD – The Canaries add to their pitching staff by re-signing RHP Mitchell Walters and bringing back former Canary RHP Matt Dunaway.
Walters, 26, returns for his 3rd season with the Canaries following an excellent 2023. For the first time in his career, Mitchell entered 2023 with plans to start games, as opposed to finishing them. After a delayed start to the season due to a non-arm related injury, Walters proved he belonged in the rotation, finishing with an 8-5 record over 18 starts, striking out 92 batters over 95 innings.
“Mitchell was a huge reason for our success in 2023,” said Canaries Manager Mike Meyer. “After the set-back to start the season, he became one of our more reliable arms in the rotation, giving us a chance to win every time he took the bump. His bowling ball type fastball is a real problem for opposing batters. Now that he has 18 starts under his belt, and an entire offseason preparing for the workload, we expect him to take yet another step forward.”
Dunaway, 24, began his professional career in Sioux Falls in 2022, following a dominant pair of seasons at Western Oregon University. The Mililani, Hawaii native was nothing short of advertised, dazzling with a 2.38 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and punching out 29 batters over 22.2 innings.
“We are very pleased to have Matt back,” says Meyer. “He has elite command of his low to mid 90’s fastball, which he uses really well to set up his off-speed pitches. He’s an extremely hard worker with a bulldog mentality. I look forward to watching him compete for us late in games this season.”
The Canaries kick-off their home schedule starting on Friday, May 17th against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. For more information on the 2024 Schedule, can’t-miss promotions, and company outings, visit the Official Website at www.sfcanaries.com or call the Front Office at (605)336-6060.
