Minor Moves: Matt Walker Released

Per Matt Eddy of BA the Rays have released RHP Matt Walker:

The Rays’ 10th-round pick who signed for $600,000 in ’04, Walker seemed destined for big things after a solid pro debut the next year in the Appy League. He struck out 71 in 58 innings with the help of a big 12-to-6 curveball, and he continued to pitch well in low Class A in ’06. Things began to spiral out of control for Walker in ’07, when first his best friend was killed in a house fire and then he couldn’t find the strike zone with high Class A Vero Beach. He walked 82 batters in 96 innings that year, and then 47 in 67 innings in ’08, before being suspended for 50 games last July for failing a test for amphetamines. Walker, 22, did not play for a Rays farm club this spring.