Free-agent righty Taijuan Walker is one of the more intriguing options on the open market. The former top prospect is still just 27 years old, and in his last full season back in 2017, he tossed 157 1/3 innings of 3.49 ERA ball with 8.4 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 0.97 HR/9 and a 48.9 percent ground-ball rate. Tommy John surgery and a strained shoulder capsule have limited him to 14 innings across the past two seasons, however, creating a good bit of uncertainty surrounding the talented but (recently) injury-plagued right-hander.
To that end, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweets that Walker threw for about 20 scouts earlier today, hoping to bolster his chances of landing a Major League contract as opposed to a minor league deal and a non-roster invite. (Presumably, several clubs would be interested in offering him the latter.) Walker’s fastball sat in the 85-88mph range, per Nightengale, which is a notable departure both from his 94 mph career average and the 93.3 mph he averaged in his lone inning of the 2019 season (which came in Arizona’s final game of the year).
That lack of velocity perhaps sheds some light on why Walker has yet to secure a big league deal this winter. Other injury bounceback candidates like Alex Wood and Jimmy Nelson have cashed in on big league guarantees with the Dodgers, after all, and both are older than Walker. Elsewhere, the Giants paid a combined $13MM to rebound candidates Kevin Gausman and Drew Smyly.
One February bullpen session certainly doesn’t mean that Walker won’t regain some life on his fastball with continued workouts and the benefit of a Spring Training regimen. But at least for contending clubs, some trepidation about guaranteeing a roster spot is understandable. A rebuilding club — particularly one like the Orioles or Pirates, who’ve both cut payroll this winter — would make for a rather logical pairing with Walker, though. To this point, he’s been linked to the Mariners and the Twins, although the presence of nearly two dozen scouts at his showcase suggests that a far broader number of teams are considering him.
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKIE
I would like to see Walker with the Giants. In Oracle Park he could become a great pitcher. I will miss Madison Bumgarner not playing for the Giants.
Oracle Park is as lane as Guaranteed Rate Park. Unless its talking heads and announcers I doubt anyone calls it that. It’s AT&T Park. Just like Progressive Field will always be Jacobs Field. I’m sure there are others with awful renamed stadiums
That is EXACTLY what I was thinking while I read this article as well! Go Dodgers!
as rightyspecialist would say… dodgers… lol.
Angels or Phillies should jump on this
His fastball was about Jamie Moyer ‘s speed.. As much as I think they need another starter , if he’s only 85-88 ..pass
He will get back to 94 mph…not to worry. He wants a major league deal but probably hasn’t received one with enough $$ to this point.
Apparently hasn’t received MLB offer, period.
As the story said, his agent is rejecting MiLB offers, which aren’t guaranteed and don’t necessarily have ST invites. Teams are understandably hesitant to make MLB commitment to a pitcher who is throwing 6-9 MPH below their pre-injury level.
He made $5mm for one inning last year. Take a one year prove it deal.
If I was a rebuilding team (Mariners, Marlins, Giants, Orioles, Jays, Tigers, Pirates) I would offer a MLB contract. Literally nothing to lose by signing a 27 year old for $1 million.
Agree. As an M’s fan it would be nice to see him rebound. With the lack of starting pitching, I wonder if his medicals scare teams?
You literally do have something to lose! You surrender a 40-man roster spot and $1 million or so for a power pitcher coming off a significant injury who cannot even hit 90 mph right now. Not worth the gamble right now unless he takes a minor league deal.
100%. All upside
Hes definitely not going to a contender.
Teams like Tigers, Pirates, Giants, with more than one hole in their rotations are optimal fits for him.
Tijuan is likely to demand a Major league deal and a guaranteed spot in a rotation, more than just an opportunity to battle for a SP5 spot as on most contenders rn
Eppler is too busy trading for more OF and dumpster diving for “inning eaters” smh
He definitely wants a Major League deal. There is no way he hasn’t received offers to this point.
And a guaranteed spot in the top 4-5 of a rotation
Hopefully he inks on with an org
Angels should give him 1yr 2.5mil. Low risk even if he winds up in the bullpen or DFA’d. Look at what the paid to Harvey and Cahill last year and tell me Walker isn’t worth a major league deal.
I dont see much of a difference
He should work out for himself.
Thats…not a good workout for a power pitcher…
Wow 85 isn’t going to cut it in this league. I’d recommend surfing everyday, not the standing up part but the paddling around, I had shoulder issues and this really helped me.
50/50 chance he gets a MLB contract. More likely a minor league deal. Perhaps he would benefit some time playing in Japan.
wow, maybe he shouldn’t have done that
Walker can demand all he wants. Unless his fastball is over 90mph, he can expect a minor league deal with an invite at best. These guys and their unrealistic demands…sheesh.
Would love to see him sign with the Cardinals!
Hope he signs with the Rangers so the headline could be, “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Well that changes things. We now know why he hasn’t signed.
Averaging 85mph-88mph on his fastball?! I know it’s just one session in early February, but this dude’s stock just went lower than what it already was. No team is going to give him a MLB contract at those speeds, unless he has Greg Maddux like accuracy, which he doesn’t.
If the angels haven’t picked him up there’s gotta be something wrong with him
I can see SEA bringing him back. Idk if MIN will still have interest after acquiring Maeda from the Dodgers.
If I was the Pirates, I’d sign him on for 1 year deal. Keep him healthy by staying in the back of the rotation and limit his innings to 5 or 6. The Pirates don’t have anything to lose on this.
Brewers should sign him we can turn him into another elite reliever while we continue to shuffle turds around in the starting rotation
Bullpen era 2.00s
Starting rotation era 7.00s
World Series here we come
He could fight for a spot with the White Sox. Either in the rotation while Kopech and Rodon finish recovering from TommyJohn surgery or fight for a spot in the bullpen.
He obviously didn’t chug a red bull before his bullpen session