As Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker takes the mound for his season debut Friday against the Athletics, the expectations have been raised after the highly touted prospect had a very productive spring campaign.
The right-hander went 4-0 with a 0.67 ERA in seven spring starts, securing a spot in the team's rotation.
“I think that’s a test they were looking for -- how do I react when I get runners on?” Walker said, per The News Tribune. “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.”
While Walker still has a fastball that reaches the upper-90s, his cutter has transformed into a slider and his changeup has also improved, according to catcher Mike Zunino.
"I think that’s going to be a huge pitch for him,” Zunino said of the changeup. “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."