Taijuan Walker Sharp in Phillies Debut, Focuses on Secondary Pitches

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Taijuan Walker’s first outing in a Philadelphia uniform offered an early glimpse of the veteran right-hander’s spring priorities, as he twirled two efficient Grapefruit League innings while showcasing the off-speed arsenal the Phillies hope will anchor their 2024 rotation.

Working in his official Phillies debut, Walker permitted one run on three hits, but the line score only told part of the story. The 31-year-old repeatedly froze opposing hitters with a biting slider and a slow, 12-to-6 curveball, sequences that accounted for the majority of his outs and underlined the pitch-mix adjustments he has emphasized throughout camp.

Between whiffs, Walker also flashed a quick, accurate pickoff move that kept runners anchored and shortened innings, a subtle weapon that could pay dividends once the regular season begins.

The appearance doubled as Walker’s final tune-up before he joins Team Mexico for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, giving the Phillies confidence that their offseason investment is already rounding into form.