Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker is ready to leave the worst season of his career behind.
Walker rewarded the Phillies with a 15-6 record and 2.5 bWAR in 2023, his first season after signing a four-year, $72 million contract. However, his second Phillies campaign marked a significant step back; the 2021 All-Star went 3-7 with a 7.10 ERA and -1.6 bWAR for the NL East champions.
Walker’s 4.0 walks per nine innings were his most since becoming a full-time starter in 2015. Things got so bad the Phillies moved Walker to the bullpen in September.
The past is the past, though, and Walker focuses on 2025. Walker allowed two hits, one run, and recorded a strikeout in Saturday’s 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
“I feel like my normal self again,” Walker told reporters.
Barring an injury to a teammate, Walker will likely start the season as a long reliever. The Phillies added former Miami Marlins lefty Jesús Luzardo in December.
Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, and Ranger Suárez are all assured spots in the rotation.
“We have five really good pitchers,” Walker said, according to the Phillies’ official website.
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
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
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) March 2, 2025
“So my thing is just go out there, get outs,” he added. ‘Just pitch as well as I can and leave it up to them.”
We’ll see if Walker, who has two years and $36 million left on his contract, emerges as a trade target for a team needing another starter. The Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels immediately stand out, though neither appear willing to spend significant money.
Alternatively, Walker could stay in Philly and bring another title to the City of Brotherly Love. Neither Walker nor the Phillies sound rushed to make a trade happen.
