The 6-1, 210-pound Walker, a South Carolina signee who also made some appearances at catcher, likely would have been an upper-round pick in Major League Baseball's recent first-year player draft if not for money requests that were viewed as unrealistic. He wound up being selected by the Dodgers in the 49th round.

Walker this season hit .588, with eight doubles, five triples, two homers and 25 RBI. Five months ago he won a national home run derby that was held at St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field.

The 6-1, 205-pound Donato, a junior and lefty swinger, constantly produced as N-G captured its first Catholic League title since 1960, when the school was known as Bishop Neumann, and advanced to the semifinal round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.

Donato, also a standout pitcher, batted .601 with 10 doubles, three triples, four homers and 32 RBI.

Our Pitcher of the Year is a guy who defines big-time performer, St. Joseph's Prep righthander Kyle Mullen.

Mullen, who is headed for Saint Joseph's University, posted an 8-3 record with a 1.82 ERA. In 72 2/3 innings, he held opponents to a .161 batting average while almost achieving a 3-to-1 strikeout/walk ratio (90-31).

Like N-G, the Hawks also advanced to a state semifinal (in AAAA). In four complete-game postseason appearances, Mullen was 4-0 with an 0.75 ERA while allowing 23 hits, nine walks and fanning 32. Quality work was necessary as his run support was 3.5 runs per game.

Mullen's 3-year postseason record was 7-0. In 45 2/3 innings, he compiled an 0.77 ERA while permitting 29 hits and 20 walks and dismissing 51.

DAILY NEWS ALL-CITY BASEBALL

 

FIRST TEAM

1B: Mark Donato, Neumann-Goretti, jr.

INF: Christian "Ya-Ya" Walker, Kennedy-Kenrick, sr.

INF: Mark Rhine, Penn Charter, sr.

INF: Al Baur, Neumann-Goretti, jr.

OF: Edwin "Tito" Rohena, Frankford, sr.

OF: Jon McAllister, Chestnut Hill, jr.

OF: Timmy Vernon, Germantown Academy, sr.