The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Add Christian Waltman
11/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB baseball team welcomes another member to its latest recruiting class as Christian Waltman (Semmes, Ala./Faith Academy) joins the UAB family. Waltman is the second position player to join the class.
“We are so excited to be able to welcome Christian Waltman to the Blazer Baseball Family,” said UAB head coach Brian Shoop. “Christian’s brother Trey pitched for us in 2010 and 2011 so we have known the Waltman family for a long time. Like his brother, Christian is another great fit for our program in every way. Christian is another gifted and committed student who will excel in the classroom.”
Waltman will be a four-year starting catcher for Faith Academy. Last season, his team went 36-7 en route to earning 5A State Runner-Up honors. Waltman batted .340 with 11 doubles and 21 RBI. He has displayed excellent plate discipline, striking out just 18 times over his last 226 at-bats.
Waltman has garnered a number of accolades during his high school career. He was voted as his team’s Rookie of the Year in 2013 and Defensive Player of the Year the last two years. The young backstop garnered All-State Honorable Mention in 2014, has been selected to represent the South in the 2016 AHSAA North/South All-Star Game, and was a 2016 Team Alabama selection.
“On the field, Christian is an outstanding defensive catcher who can also hit for power,” said Shoop. “He has been a 4-year starter for Matt Seymour in one of the premier 5A programs in our state. He is well coached and prepared to transition to C-USA Baseball.”
Waltman is also a part of the National Honor Society, fitting given his bloodlines. His older brother, Trey Waltman, was a pitcher for the Blazers from 2010-11 and earned the top post-graduate award for C-USA student-athletes his senior year and is currently attending the UAB School of Dentistry.
“Christian is a leader and a great role model,” added Shoop. “Being so familiar with our program, Christian deeply wanted to be a part of Blazer Baseball and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. He is a great addition to UAB Baseball.”
