Arizona Diamondbacks: Taijuan Walker impressive in spring debut

Right-hander Taijuan Walker of the Arizona Diamondbacks showed plenty of up-side in his initial start of the spring

When the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired right-hander Taijuan Walker in the off-season, the immediate discussion centered around Walker’s upside. Here was a player at 24-years-old with a live arm, positive disposition and a wealth of talent.

The only element preventing Walker from reaching any potential was an injured ankle. Walker pushed through that pain last season and showed flashes of the kind of ability and future what was envisioned. That was not good enough for the Seattle Mariners, who dealt Walker last Nov. 23 to the Diamondbacks as part of the Jean Segura trade.

The buzz around the Diamondbacks this spring centered, in part, around Walker. Anticipated as the number two starter behind Zack Greinke, Walker’s physical stature bordered on the dominant. That was evident Tuesday in his initial start of the spring.

Against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Walker showed the kind of ability which drew praise. With a fastball reaching into the mid-90s and a curve which kept hitters off balanced, Walker showed an ability to mix pitches efficiently and communicate successfully with catcher Jeff Mathis.

"“Fast ball command was the big thing for me,” Walker told Venom Strikes after the Diamondbacks beat the Rangers, 8-4. “Felt great and I was able to keep the sinker and slider away. I’m working on the slider and it’s was good to throw that for strikes and keep that pitch away from right-handed hitters.”"

In going two innings, Walker showed an economy of pitches. He needed 21 pitches to get through his first of two innings and 36 for the effort. In the mix, Walker hit the strike zone 26 times, allowed only two hits, walked none and fanned three. He struck out the side in the first inning.