Taijuan Walker

[AlwaysinModeration]

I didn’t see a thread on Taijuan Walker, so I wanted to put his name out there as a possible target for the Twins this offseason. Here is a bit of background on the guy:

 

Drafted in 2010 out of high school, Walker spent several years in the Mariners system, first as one of their top prospects, and then getting about 350IP in their rotation from 2013-16. He was then traded to Arizona, along with Ketel Marte, for Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger. He has been a Diamondback from 2017-2019, but only pitched one full season in 2017 for them, before needing TJ surgery in April 2018. He made $5mm in 2019 despite not pitching for the DBacks at all, and then was non-tendered earlier this month rather than them paying him (perhaps $7/8mm in arbitration?). There has been one report a couple of days ago that the Mariners are interested in bringing him back.

 

Over his career, Walker’s got a 8.1K/9, 2.8BB/9, 43%GB, 1.2HR/9, 3.95ERA and 1.25WHIP. His career slash line against is 247/310/415, for an 726OPS. He fares almost exactly the same against righties (731OPS) and lefties (721OPS).

 

His pitch mix is:

—93-94mph FB (60%)

—88-89mph Change (15-20%)

—75mph Curve (10-15%) and

—86mph Slider (10%)

 

He used to throw a cutter with the Mariners, but the Diamondbacks had him ditch that pitch and start throwing a slider. His fastball has graded out as his best pitch (but never great) while none of his other offerings have graded out as above average.

 

With all of that said, there are a number of reasons why I think that the Twins should consider taking a shot at signing this guy:

 

1. He’s only 27 (August birthday). He didn’t play at all at 25 or 26 due to the TJ surgery, meaning he hasn’t even really hit his prime years yet.

 

2. He is a former top prospect, drafted in 2010 in the first round (43rd overall) as a high schooler, rising in national rankings to as high as #20 overall by Baseball America in 2012.

 

3. He throws 93-94mph Perhaps working with Wes Johnson would allow him to add a tick to his fastball, like Odorizzi, Perez, Duffey, May and Littel did last year.

 

4. He has a nice mix of pitches already, so I’d similarly like to see whether the Twins’ pitching staff could determine a more effective pitching usage pattern for him. Maybe Walker should bring back that cutter, or focus more on one of his pitches than he has been, etc.

 

5. He’s pretty cheap—I would think the Twins could sign him for, let’s say, a 2-year, $12mm deal, with maybe an option year for $10mm more.

 

6. If nothing else, he could potentially move to the bullpen.

 

All in all, he looks like a player who could have a decent amount of upside. The kind of “post-hype” player who the Twins could get in the system at a young age for cheap, and see what the Twins could do to bring out some of his untapped potential.

 

Don’t get me wrong, going after Taijuan Walker wouldn’t or shouldn’t be in place of a Ryu signing (which I am expecting any day now). But I’d like to know what others might think. Should the Twins take a chance on bringing Walker onboard?

[Doctor Wu]

I like this idea. This is the sort of creative thinking, or at least creative acquisitions, that I think the Twins need to be making at this point. Seems like Walker is worth the gamble.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I like the idea of signing a 5th starter with upside (Walker is a good candidate or whomever) as long as the FO gets a front of rotation starter.

 

Even if both of those things happen, Dobnak and the other current 4-5 starters will get a healthy number of big league starts in 2020

[goulik]

At first glance, I really like this idea from the information presented here but only if it doesn’t preclude us from signing Ryu and Donaldson

[Richie the Rally Goat]

At first glance, I really like this idea from the information presented here but only if it doesn’t preclude us from signing Ryu AND Donaldson

I like the AND there!

[beckmt]

Could be a good move, but feel you are very high on the dollars.  I like the two year contract with maybe a mutual option for a third.  Depends on what the Twins see in him and what he wants for dollars.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Could be a good move, but feel you are very high on the dollars. I like the two year contract with maybe a mutual option for a third. Depends on what the Twins see in him and what he wants for dollars.

You may be right, maybe it only take two years, 8-10, or a one-year deal for 4-5? I’d almost prefer a two-year deal, in case he does well this year.

[beckmt]

 

You may be right, maybe it only take two years, 8-10, or a one-year deal for 4-5? I’d almost prefer a two-year deal, in case he does well this year.

I like the 2 year around $10 million for the two, with a mutual option or team option for the third, may take more like 12 - 14 for the two.  

[AlwaysinModeration]

I looked up info on Baseball Savant. They list his pitch mix a bit differently:

 

“Walker relies on 3 pitches. Four Seamer (66.7%), Split Finger (26.7%), Cutter (6.7%).” The curveball is listed fourth, about the same as the cutter.

 

They also list spin rates; his four-seamer just under 2200rpm, while his curve and cutter are both just shy of 2400rpm.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/taijuan-walker-592836?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

[Greglw3]

 

I didn’t see a thread on Taijuan Walker, so I wanted to put his name out there as a possible target for the Twins this offseason. Here is a bit of background on the guy:

Drafted in 2010 out of high school, Walker spent several years in the Mariners system, first as one of their top prospects, and then getting about 350IP in their rotation from 2013-16. He was then traded to Arizona, along with Ketel Marte, for Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger. He has been a Diamondback from 2017-2019, but only pitched one full season in 2017 for them, before needing TJ surgery in April 2018. He made $5mm in 2019 despite not pitching for the DBacks at all, and then was non-tendered earlier this month rather than them paying him (perhaps $7/8mm in arbitration?). There has been one report a couple of days ago that the Mariners are interested in bringing him back.

Over his career, Walker’s got a 8.1K/9, 2.8BB/9, 43%GB, 1.2HR/9, 3.95ERA and 1.25WHIP. His career slash line against is 247/310/415, for an 726OPS. He fares almost exactly the same against righties (731OPS) and lefties (721OPS).

His pitch mix is:
—93-94mph FB (60%)
—88-89mph Change (15-20%)
—75mph Curve (10-15%) and
—86mph Slider (10%)

He used to throw a cutter with the Mariners, but the Diamondbacks had him ditch that pitch and start throwing a slider. His fastball has graded out as his best pitch (but never great) while none of his other offerings have graded out as above average.

With all of that said, there are a number of reasons why I think that the Twins should consider taking a shot at signing this guy:

1. He’s only 27 (August birthday). He didn’t play at all at 25 or 26 due to the TJ surgery, meaning he hasn’t even really hit his prime years yet.

2. He is a former top prospect, drafted in 2010 in the first round (43rd overall) as a high schooler, rising in national rankings to as high as #20 overall by Baseball America in 2012.

3. He throws 93-94mph Perhaps working with Wes Johnson would allow him to add a tick to his fastball, like Odorizzi, Perez, Duffey, May and Littel did last year.

4. He has a nice mix of pitches already, so I’d similarly like to see whether the Twins’ pitching staff could determine a more effective pitching usage pattern for him. Maybe Walker should bring back that cutter, or focus more on one of his pitches than he has been, etc.

5. He’s pretty cheap—I would think the Twins could sign him for, let’s say, a 2-year, $12mm deal, with maybe an option year for $10mm more.

6. If nothing else, he could potentially move to the bullpen.

All in all, he looks like a player who could have a decent amount of upside. The kind of “post-hype” player who the Twins could get in the system at a young age for cheap, and see what the Twins could do to bring out some of his untapped potential.

Don’t get me wrong, going after Taijuan Walker wouldn’t or shouldn’t be in place of a Ryu signing (which I am expecting any day now). But I’d like to know what others might think. Should the Twins take a chance on bringing Walker onboard?

I hadn’t heard of the guy but you made such a strong case that I would agree about signing him as a 5th starter (an important role).

 

[gunnarthor]

I think this might be a realistic option for the Twins although I think he might cost a bit more since he'll be available opening day but certainly his cost won't be  too much for the Twins.

[DocBauer]

This is one of the guys I've been nudging for as the "other" pitcher to sign after we get out top new SP, whoever that may be.

 

His 2015-17 seasons were solid, he's still very young, and His arm should be sound now and ready to go. Really like the 2yr or 2yr + idea. I think the first year should be around $5M.

 

This could end up being a very, very smart signing.

[Vanimal46]

My concern is his only average pitch being his fastball. If we’re looking at injury bounce back guys I think I’d prefer Alex Wood over Walker.

[old nurse]

 

My concern is his only average pitch being his fastball. If we’re looking at injury bounce back guys I think I’d prefer Alex Wood over Walker.

Walker had an elbow that was fixed, Wood seems like a guy who just simply breaks down frequently. Walker would be the better signing if coaching can nudge up his spin rate. Walker could reach his potential.  It would also be fair to point out both on cheap contracts is doable because I highly douubt that Ryu is coming here. The overpay would have to be dramatic.

[ashbury]

The situation seems analogous to Michael Pineda, except that Walker was on Arizona's payroll for the recovery period that Minnesota paid Pineda $2M for. I can't see guaranteeing 2 years for Walker above $10M a year, so if some other team is willing to take that risk then I'm probably out.

 

A one-year make-good contract at a low value would be ideal (again, similar to Pineda's second contract year with the Twins), or if he wants a higher salary for 2020 then I'd attach an team-option year for an even higher value for 2021, which covers the player's downside risk if he can't even perform in 2020 but gives the team some incentive to give him that first-year money. After 2 years, he's still young and can try for a mega contract if he does well.

 

So... $8M for a one-and-done contract, or (say) $11M with a team option for $14M, or maybe even 2 years guaranteed for $17M - his choice. I could come up a little. But not a guaranteed $20M+ for two seasons, even with an option year after that. And if someone does give him that, probably I'm OK on losing him.

 

I keep in mind that Arizona granted him free agency, so they weren't willing to shoot the moon with him either, apparently.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Um, asking for a friend. What are the chances Taijuan Walker pitches better than Ryu in 2020?

[Vanimal46]

Um, asking for a friend. What are the chances Taijuan Walker pitches better than Ryu in 2020?

I wouldn’t bet a penny on it.

[cardsfan]

Um, asking for a friend. What are the chances Taijuan Walker pitches better than Ryu in 2020?

They both may be injured.

[Mike Sixel]

 

They both may be injured.

 

and? Doing nothing is a choice.......which they've made on the FA market. Not on one or two players, but nearly all of the starting pitchers anyone would bet money on being good. Not hoping, but likely. 

 

Berrios could be injured. If you never sign anyone out of fear, you probably won't win many bidding wars. 

[jorgenswest]

Minnesota ought to be the place a guy like Walker would want to land. Opportunity and an offense that will give him some runs.

[nicksaviking]

 

Um, asking for a friend. What are the chances Taijuan Walker pitches better than Ryu in 2020?

 

Walker was better than Ryu in 2017 which was the last season both were mostly healthy.

 

I'd rather have Ryu, but I don't know that the likelihood of a pitcher being a bust is all that firmly tied to the size of his contract.

[cardsfan]

and? Doing nothing is a choice.......which they've made on the FA market. Not on one or two players, but nearly all of the starting pitchers anyone would bet money on being good. Not hoping, but likely.

 

Berrios could be injured. If you never sign anyone out of fear, you probably won't win many bidding wars.

People here are offering millions of dollars for Walker. How about an incentive contract?

[Musk21]

 

People here are offering millions of dollars for Walker. How about an incentive contract?

 

I gotta agree here. He's pitched a total of 14 innings the past 2 seasons. I know the cost of pitching has skyrocketed this offseason, but c'mon....

[PseudoSABR]

This.

 

I'd want a second year, even if we have to guarantee it because the upside is worth having to eat a contract next year.

 

As others have mentioned, I'd also look to sign Alex Wood to a similar deal.  

[bobs]

4 games last 2 years?  Is that right?  If we're going this deep, then I have another name....Danny Salazar

[bobs]

....but wouldnt mind a swing at a guy like Walker

[notoriousgod71]

These names we're now relegated to throwing around remind me of "Major League".

 

"Wish we had this guy three years ago."

"We did."

"Five years ago then."

 

 

"These guys are sh1tty."

 

"Most of these guys never had a prime."

 

I have a name for you! Jose Fernandez!

 

"This guy here is DEAD!"

"Cross him off then."