Taijuan Walker’s first bullpen appearance of the season turned out to be a remarkable performance, one that likely exceeded anyone’s expectations—including his own. On Wednesday night, during the Philadelphia Phillies’ commanding 7-0 shutout against the Tampa Bay Rays, Walker took the mound for the final three innings. Not only did he preserve the shutout, but he also delivered a dominant outing by striking out the first five batters he faced and finishing with seven strikeouts over three scoreless innings. Though it came in a low-pressure situation, Walker’s performance was nothing short of eye-catching, especially considering that he hasn’t typically been known for high strikeout totals during his time with the Phillies. His teammates were visibly impressed. Shortstop Trea Turner, who also contributed offensively by hitting his second home run of the season to kick off the scoring, praised Walker’s sharp outing. “Not only did he give the bullpen some rest, but he absolutely dominated,” Turner said. “It felt like he had total command of the strike zone. His velocity was up, and I’m really happy for him.”
One of the most notable aspects of Walker’s outing was the noticeable uptick in his fastball velocity. He consistently hit speeds over 94 miles per hour, a significant improvement from last summer when he was often topping out at just 88 or 89 mph during a stretch of poor form. The difference is a result of months of dedication. Walker worked relentlessly during the 2024 season to regain his velocity, staying focused and committed even through the offseason, when he took very little time off.
That hard work has clearly begun to pay off. Reflecting on the outing, Walker shared that he felt confident and loose heading into the game, knowing he would be limited to a maximum of three innings. That understanding gave him the freedom to be more aggressive than usual. “I just felt good out there,” he said. “I knew I wouldn’t go more than three innings, so I told myself to just go for it. I was more assertive with my pitches, knowing I could empty the tank. I let it rip and threw every pitch in my arsenal.”
This assertive strategy allowed Walker to take full advantage of his improved velocity and overall command. The Rays simply couldn’t catch up with his fastball or adjust to his secondary pitches. Despite entering the game without much fanfare, Walker made a statement with his dominant stretch, suggesting he might be a valuable weapon for the Phillies moving forward, whether as a starter or in a bullpen role.
His ability to rise to the occasion and deliver in such a fashion was a huge boost for a Phillies team that continues to search for consistency in its pitching staff. While the stakes were not particularly high during Wednesday’s game, performances like this could lead to a more defined role for Walker as the season progresses. If he maintains this level of execution and continues to build off his regained velocity, he could become a more critical piece of the team’s success.
In sum, Walker’s three innings were not just about giving the bullpen a breather—they were about making a statement. The combination of improved velocity, sharp pitch location, and aggressiveness showed a different side of Walker, one that could have meaningful implications for the Phillies as the season continues. Whether it’s in the bullpen or in a spot-start role, his rediscovered form is a promising sign for Philadelphia.
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