In a recent post to the Fantasy Baseball Today blog, I called Taijuan Walker one of the September callups who could matter in Fantasy, and the latest news out of Seattle explains why. Manager Lloyd McClendon is beginning to question how much Chris Young has left in the tank following his implosion Monday. Walker threw six innings of relief in that game, allowing one run on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
His numbers at Triple-A Tacoma weren't so great, but that happens in the heavy-hitting Pacific Coast League. It happened last year to James Paxton, who went on to go 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in four starts last September, and Walker is considered the more talented of the two. He's also more than 50 innings away from last year's total, giving him plenty left in the tank.
Starting pitchers aren't exactly in short supply in standard mixed leagues right now, but if you're looking to gamble on an upside play, Walker certainly fits the bill.