Mar 2, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker (99) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning during spring training at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of Taijuan Walker's death were greatly exaggerated.
Walker was alive and well on the mound in Dunedin, FL Sunday afternoon, averaging 92.9 mph on his four-seam fastball, velocity more in the range of his 2023 season (avg 92.6 mph) than his nightmarish 2024 campaign (avg 91.5 mph). Walker averaged 93.5 mph on the pitch in 2022, when he went 12-5 for the Mets with a 3.49 ERA in 157.1 innings.
Taijuan Walker’s day is done in Dunedin. His velocity was up to 94 mph and he was able to make big outs. A very encouraging outing.
2.0 IP | 2 H | 1 ER | 0 BB | 1 K | 29 Pitches pic.twitter.com/BliqX0vdRH
"Who knows?" said Phillies manager Rob Thomson when asked about Walker's role this season. "Jobs are up for grabs. The best guy is gonna get it."
Reporters asked Thomson to clarify his thoughts, given that Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, and Jesus Luzardo are considered locks for the Phils' rotation. Andrew Painter is expected to join the major league club as a starter as well, sometime this summer. Was Thomson discussing a bullpen job?
"No, rotation," Thomson said. "I mean, if somebody else doesn’t throw well and he’s throwing great, you know? Who knows what’s going to happen? We’ve got a ways to go yet. And usually it works itself out."
© Michael Laughlin | 2024 May 11Walker can be an emotional subject for Phillies fans, so we'll analyze these comments choose-your-own-adventure style:
A pitcher's results can vary wildly from year-to-year, especially if there's a physical issue involved. Walker may not be Roy Hallladay, but he put together a solid 11-year MLB career before posting a 7.10 ERA and 1.72 WHIP across 83.2 innings in 2024.
The version of Walker we saw last season could absolutely be an aberration. His highest season-long ERA prior to 2024 was 4.56, all the way back in 2015. Averaging 92.9 mph--and topping out at 93.9 mph--on his four-seamer in his first start of spring could be a fantastic sign for the year to come. In his first appearance last spring, Walker averaged just 89.4 mph on the pitch.
Thomson's comments, meanwhile, can be taken at face value. Early results from the likely members of the Phillies' rotation are strong, but one of those players could easily struggle or catch the injury bug. After witnessing last season, it's hard to envision Walker beating out any of the other candidates on merit, but that's in large part due to recency bias. Most of the evidence indicates that Walker, 32 years old, is unlikely to replicate 2024.
"Since the first day of spring training, everything is looking good," said Phils catcher Rafael Marchán on Sunday. "Like, it’s jumping. His heater. His split is nasty. I mean, every pitch that he threw today was really good. I like the way that he’s been throwing the ball because he looked confident. He looked healthy. And that’s the most important thing. I’m happy for him and happy to see what he can do."
The Phillies, locked and loaded with one of the best rotations in baseball and expected to compete for a championship, are in no position to let Walker start meaningful MLB games. Just a few brutal appearances could make the difference in a highly competitive NL East.
Walker has never been particularly dominant, even in his best seasons. He made the All-Star team just once, in 2021, and ended up with a 4.47 ERA by that year's end. The Phillies owe him $36 million through 2026, making him a costly insurance policy if he's stashed in the bullpen. And the Phils signed RHP Joe Ross this offseason to operate as a long-relief/spot starter swingman, so even that role on the team is occupied.
It's a solid bet that the Phils would jump at a trade offer, if any MLB team indicated a willingness to take on some of the money owed to Walker.
Even Thomson's praise may be a sign that the Phillies plan to move on. Talking up Walker's value is a necessary precursor to any bartering.
Daulton Varsho, again.
He's launched two home runs in his first four spring at-bats, all at DH while he works back from shoulder surgery. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/OJxa475pZy
To his credit, Walker has the right attitude this spring. "The biggest thing for me is I can just control what I can control," Walker said after exiting Sunday's game. "Go out there and get results. Pitch the best I can pitch. And whatever happens, happens."
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