Monday, May 13, 2024
Asked to describe his all-star centerfielder Matthew Walters, Granbury High School head baseball coach Brad Eppler didn't hesitate.
"Matthew Walters is a Renaissance Man," Eppler said.
"He's a great student. He's a great kid. And he's a great athlete. He's talented in areas outside of athletics, from choir and theater. He's been the lead in the musical. He's been an all-state choir participant for multiple years. He is a Renaissance Man."
While Walters has yet to sit down and sketch a Mona Lisa like the original Renaissance Man Leonardo DaVinci, the Cornell University commitment painted a couple of masterpieces from the pitchers' mound in games that got the Pirates into the baseball playoffs and a bi-district title this season.
Walters pitches in select baseball, but he wasn't part of the GHS rotation this season. Yet Eppler turned to the senior in two crucial games.
More than just Walters' athletic talent led to Eppler putting him in pressure-cooked moments.
"He's simply a great baseball player. There's a lot to be said for that. Especially in a world where things are increasingly cerebral to where guys want to doctor pitches, and you calculate spin rates to create pitches and all this stuff, and he doesn't do that. He goes and throws, and he defends his spot. He is not afraid of the spotlight. He's not afraid of big moments," Eppler said.
The son of Randy and Misty Walter also has what is referred to as a very high baseball IQ, and he's played every position in high school baseball except for catcher. Give him a couple of months, and he could play that position, too.
"Walters' love of baseball traces back through his mom's side of the family and his grandfather, Harold Durham, a life-long Los Angeles Dodgers fan.
"We've just been raised as Dodgers fans and as baseball fans,” Walters said. “I am a fan. My mom is a huge baseball fan. That's where it all comes from. At the end of the day, we're a baseball family before everything else."
As someone who has played multiple positions, Walters has had a chance to showcase his talents, but it all boils down to being under pressure at the plate.
"I love squaring to a ball. I love hitting," Walters said. "I've grown to love centerfield. I used to be a shortstop. I've played everywhere on the field, except catcher. I've kind of grown into an outfielder as I've gotten to high school. There's not a much better feeling than squaring the ball up in this world. I wish everyone could feel that at some point."
Walters hopes his talents will one day take him to Major League Baseball but getting an education at Cornell will give him other choices in life if that doesn't work out in his favor.
Those other choices will center around baseball, either on the field or working in another capacity around the diamond.
"I've always been a big math guy,” Walters said. “In recent years I haven't found it as intriguing. But as I've been in my senior economics classes, I found more interest in it. I still want to be involved in baseball, and I think economics might be a great opportunity, maybe even in a front-office job."
As a young man blessed with many interests and the talent to back them up, Walters exudes confidence, slathered in a bright smile topped off with humbleness.
"I try to remember what my parents have taught me, my grandparents have taught me, and just all the influential people in my life who have raised me to be a good person first," Walters said.
They also raised Walters to pursue his interests, and he's played numerous sports before settling naturally into baseball and swimming. His talents in the pool helped Granbury's Pirates swim to district titles, and regional runner-up finishes each of his three years with the program.
"Matthew is the kind of 'All American kid' that you want your child to grow up to be or be surrounded by,” said GHS swim coach Jason Pullano. “No activity is beneath him. He gives equal effort to his academics, athletics, theater, and music pursuits. He has shown the ability to build relationships with all makes and molds of students in GISD. He doesn't fall into one particular stereotype of "jock" or "student." He has built himself to transcend stereotypes.”
While Walters always worked hard to apply himself to what he does, Pullano saw more than extra effort.
"People throw the word 'talent' around all too often,” Pullano said. “And while I can say that Matthew has natural gifts, I'll also say that his talent level isn't off the charts. He's not the biggest athlete or the fastest athlete. He's not the most gifted vocalist. His siblings are far more naturally gifted in music. But his relentless pursuit of success is what separates him from others. I've never met somebody so willing to go the extra mile.”
Walters didn't get in the pool his freshman year at GHS, but the all-star athlete expected immediate success when he turned his mind to varsity swimming.
"Growing up, Matthew swam summer league and was successful at that level. Matthew didn't swim his freshman year, but when he started his sophomore year, it was a big shell shocking for him. He had always been the fastest growing up at that level of swimming, and suddenly, he's exposed to a level of competition that he hadn't been before," Pullano said. "The transition usually takes a year or two for kids to come to grips with that fact and realign their visions and goals. It took Matthew three months before he showed himself as one of the fastest swimmers in North Texas. He was humble, honest with himself, and knew what he would have to do to reach the success level he had been accustomed to."
Walters' swimming honors include District 5-5A Swimmer of the Year, two all-state recognitions, three state championship qualifications, two academic all-state awards, and the GHS Swimming MVP award this year.
Walters has also entertained translating his talent with numbers into coaching.
"I think I would love to pass on the game to younger kids or anyone who would be willing to try and play," Walters said. "I love working with kids. I love working with people. I enjoy that. I think I can see coaching in my future in some form or fashion."
But for now, Walters will chase his dream while having a plan to fall back on – just as any good Renaissance Man would lay out.
"My goal is to be playing on TV one day and make a living out of playing, playing the game I love. If that does work out, that's why I talked about the economic thing earlier," Walters said. "If I can't reach that next level, I still want to be involved in the game and maybe help others get to that level," Walters said.
Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 ext. 231
