4 reasons Walker is eager to pitch for Phils
This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki’s Phillies Beat publication, with Paul Casella filling on this week. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it often in your inbox.
PHILADELPHIA — When the Phillies launched newcomer Taijuan Walker at Citizens Bank Park on Friday, one factor was abundantly clear: He’s excited to be a Phillie.
And why wouldn’t he be?
Walker is just not solely becoming a member of the reigning National League champions, however he’s additionally going from a pitching workers headlined by Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom to a different unbelievable rotation that includes Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez.
As if that wasn’t cause sufficient to get excited, Walker will get to pitch to All-MLB First Team catcher J.T. Realmuto. He’ll be backed by an offense that features Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins, Realmuto and Nick Castellanos, amongst others.
The listing goes on and on, however listed below are a few of the key causes Walker is raring to get his Phillies tenure began.
1. Pitching to the BCIB
Both Walker and his agent, Scott Boras, talked about the chance to pitch to Realmuto was one of many perks to signing with the Phillies. While Boras known as Realmuto “pretty doggone good,” Walker took it a step additional.
“Having J.T. behind the plate, him being the best catcher in the game right now,” Walker said, “that’s going to be helpful for me.”
2. Offensive help
Of the 62 pitchers who logged at the very least 150 innings final season, solely 15 acquired much less run help than Walker. The right-hander is assured that gained’t be an issue in 2023 pitching in entrance of a potent Phillies’ lineup that averaged 4.6 runs per sport and teed off for 205 homers final season.
And who would know higher than Walker, who confronted the Phils in every of his first three begins final season — and made 9 begins towards them over the previous two seasons. Only Sandy Alcantara and Charlie Morton (10 begins apiece) confronted Philadelphia extra throughout that span.
“To go out there and pitch knowing that the offense is going to score four or five runs for me every time I’m out there,” Walker stated, “that offers me extra confidence to only go on the market and be aggressive on the mound and assault hitters.”
3. Playing in Philly
Trea Turner talked about watching the electrical postseason environment at Citizens Bank Park as a cause for signing his large 11-year deal with the membership earlier this offseason. Those October (and November) video games in Philadelphia additionally caught Walker’s consideration.
Oh, and a sure franchise legend handed alongside some optimistic suggestions, as properly.
“I heard nothing but good things about the fans here in Philadelphia, how passionate they are,” Walker stated. “I talked to Ryan Howard a number of days in the past, and he was telling me that taking part in within the playoffs right here in Philly is the loudest he is ever heard a stadium. For me, that is thrilling.
“Having a fan base that is so passionate and cares a lot concerning the group and who reveals up every single day [is great]. Every time we got here and performed after I was with the Mets, the Philly followers had been right here and so they had been loud, so I’m actually trying ahead to pitching in entrance of them.”
4. Facing the Mets
Walker spent the previous two seasons pitching on the opposite aspect of this bitter NL East rivalry, consistently discovering himself attempting to navigate the Phillies’ lineup — and their aforementioned unrelenting fanbase. And he did all of it whereas the Mets and Phils battled for postseason positioning.
So how will he strategy his first outing in a Phillies uniform towards his former membership?
“It’s gonna be fun,” Walker stated. “Francisco [Lindor] texted me, and he stated, ‘Can’t wait for the battles.’ I do know these guys very well. They’re my buddies off the sector, however once we step in between the traces, they’re the enemy now.”
