Prized pitching prospect Walker finally part of M’s rotation

It didn’t matter that he wasn’t pitching on Monday. The spectacle of the Seattle Mariners’ season opener — at home, especially — was the kind of moment Taijuan Walker had been waiting for.

The red carpet. The individual player introductions. His family in attendance. A sold-out crowd at Safeco Field. And, most important, his Day 1 presence on a big-league roster.

He’ll never forget any of it.

“It was unbelievable,” the 22-year-old right-hander said Tuesday inside the Mariners’ clubhouse after throwing a pregame bullpen session. “Felix (Hernandez) on the mound, King’s Court going — it was awesome.”

For the first time in his young, much-anticipated career, Walker broke spring camp as part of the Mariners’ 25-man roster, meaning he begins the season as a member of the club’s starting rotation for the first time, too.

That was a goal many expected him to achieve in 2014, before inflammation in his right shoulder led the Mariners to shut him down shortly after spring training began.

More than a year later, Seattle’s top pitching prospect says he feels healthy and strong, and is ready to make his 2015 debut Friday night in Oakland.

He’s pitched there before, allowing one run in six innings of relief during a 6-1 Mariners loss on Sept. 1 of last season. That performance was the catalyst for what turned out to be a relatively promising month — he also made one start in June and two in July after a lengthy rehab process following a shoulder impingement — and Walker finished the year with a 2.61 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 38 innings. He also posted a 6-4 record with a 4.81 ERA in 14 starts with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

His final big-league appearance yielded a loss, but it was by far his best showing as a professional. That was Sept. 24, when Walker pitched an eight-inning complete game in a 1-0 loss at Toronto, striking out six and allowing four hits. It was the kind of outing most envisioned when the Mariners selected him 43rd overall in the 2010 draft.

“I feel like September was really good for me. I felt confident, strong,” Walker said. “The team was playing really well, too, so I felt like that just gave everyone that extra confidence to go out there and perform well. That Toronto start was a big game for all of us, for the whole team, and I knew I had to give it all I had to give my team a chance to win.”

This spring was even more tantalizing. Knowing he needed a strong camp to hold off Roenis Elias for the fifth spot in the rotation — though he’s actually slotted fourth now — Walker pitched better than anyone else on the roster, allowing just two earned runs (both on home runs) and 10 hits in 27 innings, and striking out 26 batters.

In addition to a sharp fastball in the upper-90s, Walker’s cutter has morphed into a slider, and Mariners catcher Mike Zunino said he thinks Walker’s changeup has improved, too.

“I think that’s going to be a huge pitch for him,” Zunino said. “He throws one that’s a little bit harder, but it’s got great life to it. I think he’s going to be able to use that quite a bit vs. righties and lefties.

“I think he came into spring ready to pitch. Obviously when you throw that hard, you get into the category of (just) throwing sometimes. But he definitely came in ready to pitch and wanting to learn how to get guys out.”

Especially with runners on base. Walker faced trouble a few times during spring, and navigated each of those situations with aplomb.

“I think that’s a test they were looking for — how do I react when I get runners on?” Walker said. “Do I overthrow, do I panic? So I think that was a big test for me. Also, when I gave up a home run against Anaheim, how would I react giving up a run? And I think those are also all big tests, and I feel like I handled myself pretty well.”

Now he will seek for the first time to handle the responsibility of pitching every fifth day in the major leagues.

“It sucked I got hurt,” Walker said, reflecting on his 2014 season. “But I learned a lot from being injured. I think that definitely helped me during spring — being focused and patient, and just more prepared.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.