Wilmington's Walston brothers share the joy with latest pro sports advancement

Garrett Walston kidded that he has to earn his keep at the new home of his brother, Arizona Diamondbacks baseball prospect Blake Walston.

Now he’ll attempt to do it beyond yardwork.

Last weekend, the two brothers both got good news in their quests as professional athletes.

Garrett, a 2016 New Hanover High School grad and UNC tight end, was picked up as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers after the 2022 NFL Draft. Blake, a first-round pick by Arizona out of New Hanover in 2019, was promoted to Double-A Amarillo and made his first start over the weekend.

“It’s been cool just following each other’s paths,” Garrett said. “This is the stuff we dreamed about when we were younger and worked hard for.”

After Blake bought a home in Wilmington, Garrett said he’s been staying there, clearing trees and upkeep while his little brother is pitching out west. They almost always talk on the phone after every start by Blake, and Saturday was no different.

Only this time, both brothers had big news.

-------------------

From the StarNews Archive:

• 2015 All-Area Football Player of the Year Garrett Walston

• 2019 All-Area Baseball Player of the Year Blake Walston

• From 2020: Garrett Walston ready to shine in ranked UNC-State matchup

• From 2021: Blake Walston figuring it out at High-A Hillsboro

-------------------

“He said, ‘Did you see what I did?’ And he was at my house cutting trees for me. So I was like, ‘No, man, what happened, did you hurt yourself or something?,’” Blake said. “He says, ‘No, I got signed by the 49ers.’

“That was super exciting, I was screaming. I was more happy for him than I was for me.”

For Blake, a return to High-A Hillsboro (Ore.) to start 2022 wasn’t what he wanted, but it might have been what he needed. After using spring training to fix some pitching mechanics, he returned to the West Coast, but only with a handful of clothes.

The internal motivation worked, and he left Oregon for Texas following his best start of the season: 5 innings pitched, 2 hits allowed and 10 strikeouts.

“I didn’t even bring out my truck,” he said. “I just went to work, I felt like. And it paid off.”

After 47 career receptions, 534 yards and five touchdowns with the Tar Heels, Garrett was tabbed as a possible late-round NFL pick, and had been contacted by multiple teams leading into the weekend. With the draft almost complete, his agent called and said, “Are you ready to be a 49er?”

“I had a feeling I would go there,” he said.

Garrett leaves for the Bay Area on Thursday, with rookie camp following. He’s got an iPad full of the San Francisco playbook and knowledge from former UNC teammates about what to expect.

Both brothers said their frequent phone calls aren’t just about sports; they share interest in hunting and fishing, and life here in Wilmington. But they'll keep talking about their dreams for as long as they can.

“I think part of it is who we are as people, and for him, he’s always kept his head on straight and always been a really good brother,” Blake said. “It’s motivation, and his work ethic has proved that he deserved this opportunity. I don’t think he’s going to go out there and let it go to waste.”

Dan Spears is the sports editor for the Wilmington StarNews, and Southeast Regional sports editor for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at Dan.Spears@StarNewsOnline.com or on Twitter @DanSpears.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington's Walston brothers both get good news in pro sports careers