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Player Outlook
Taijuan Walker signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the Phillies prior to last season, and while his passable 4.38 ERA across 31 starts may have helped the team eat enough innings to get into the playoffs, the fact that he wasn't trusted to throw a single postseason inning is telling. Walker was seemingly lucky to finish with his respectable ERA, as both his xFIP (4.83) and SIERA (4.97) indicated things could have been much worse. Pitchers who are worse than league average in both strikeout rate (18.8%) and walk rate (9.7%) don't tend to be very imposing unless they're elite at keeping the ball on the ground, and while Walker has been above-average in that area for most of his career, he's far from an outlier. Walker should get the ball every fifth day for a contender again in 2024, which has fantasy value in deeper leagues, but given that his numbers trended in the wrong direction as 2023 progressed, another step back seems more likely than another step forward.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 37712.2 172.7 15 6 138 71 4.38 1.31
2022 38113.1 157.3 12 5 132 45 3.49 1.19
3y Avg. 351.511.7 163.0 11 7 139 57 4.14 1.23

Fantasy News

  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Shifts to IL

    The Phillies placed Walker (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday. He was one of five Phillies players to land on the IL on Thursday as Philadelphia reduced its active roster to 26 men in advance of the team's season opener versus Atlanta. Walker, who is recovering from right shoulder soreness, hasn't resumed throwing since he experienced discomfort in a bullpen session last weekend. Spencer Turnbull will step into the Philadelphia rotation as the team's No. 5 starter until Walker is ready to make his season debut.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Out with shoulder impingement

    Walker was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement Sunday and will start the season on the injured list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. The veteran right-hander experienced some discomfort while prepping for a bullpen session Saturday, and he won't be available to begin the regular season. Walker will rest for an undisclosed period before attempting to restart his throwing program, so he seems likely to spend more than the 15-day minimum on the injured list. Spencer Turnbull is poised to claim the open spot in Philadelphia's starting rotation.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Battling shoulder issue

    Walker reported shoulder discomfort while getting loose for a bullpen session Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The Phillies sent Walker in for an MRI upon learning of his discomfort, and more information should be available Sunday after results come back. Should Walker have to begin the season on the injured list, Spencer Turnbull would claim the open spot in Philadelphia's rotation.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Velocity down in spring debut

    Walker averaged just 89.4 mph with his four-seam fastball during Saturday's Grapefruit League debut versus the Blue Jays, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits and one walk while notching three strikeouts over two innings. Both Walker and Phillies manager Rob Thomson were unconcerned about the righty's low velocity, noting that Walker hasn't thrown much this spring due to a sore knee and also being away for personal reasons. Walker's velocity was down in 2023 after he lost about 20 pounds last offseason, but he put that weight back on this winter in hopes of regaining the zip on his fastball. His velocity will be worth tracking in the next couple weeks.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Set for Grapefruit debut Saturday

    Walker (knee) will see his first Grapefruit League action of the spring Saturday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. Walker was away from the Phillies early on in camp for personal reasons and has dealt with a sore right knee over the past week. However, he got through his last bullpen session with no problems and has been cleared for his first spring start. He should still have enough time to ramp up prior to Opening Day.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Spring debut as soon as Monday

    Walker (knee) is on track for either live batting practice or possibly a game Monday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Coming back from right knee soreness, Walker will throw another bullpen session Friday and, if that goes well, will face hitters in some fashion Monday. The veteran right-hander should still have time to ramp up for his spot in the Opening Day rotation, but he can't afford any more bumps in the road.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Could make spring debut soon

    Manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Walker (knee) felt good after a bullpen session over the weekend and is expected to throw live batting practice within the next couple days, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports. Assuming the 31-year-old has no issues while facing live batters, he could pitch in a Grapefruit League game as soon as Sunday or Monday. Any additional setbacks could prevent Walker from being fully ramped up for the start of the season with Opening Day less than a month away.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Aiming to throw off mound soon

    Walker (knee) told reporters Saturday that he's aiming to throw off the mound in the next few days after playing catch Saturday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Walker experienced right knee soreness during his bullpen session Thursday after returning from an absence due to personal reasons. He's set to play catch again Sunday from a longer distance and will look to throw off the mound in the coming week. In his first season with the Phillies in 2023, Walker finished with a 15-6 record over 31 starts with a 4.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 138:71 K:BB across 172.2 innings.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Managing knee soreness

    Walker experienced soreness in his right knee during a bullpen session Thursday and will rest for the next few days, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. The veteran right-hander was recently away from the Phillies' camp for a few days due to personal reasons, and he's dealing with some soreness upon his return. Manager Rob Thompson called it "normal spring training soreness," so Walker could seemingly be back on the mound soon.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Ambushed by Mets

    Walker (15-6) took the loss Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets, giving up four runs on four hits and four walks over seven innings as the Phillies fell 4-3. He struck out three. A three-run first inning nearly led to a quick exit for Walker, but he gutted out the early offense and helped preserve the Phillies' bullpen ahead of Tuesday's playoff opener in the wild-card round. The veteran righty tossed 106 pitches (64 strikes) in his final regular-season trip to the mound, and while Walker was able to give the Phillies innings in September, they weren't very effective ones -- he got tagged for at least four runs in four of his final five outings, posting a 5.93 ERA and 19:12 K:BB through 30.1 innings on the month.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Start postponed due to rain

    Walker's next start will be pushed back after Friday's game between the Phillies and Mets was postponed due to rain, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday, with Walker presumably now slated to start one of those contests. The right-hander will be looking for win No. 16 as he closes out his regular season.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Strong in no-decision

    Walker did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings against the Mets. He struck out four. Walker pitched well enough Friday night to earn his 11th quality start. The outing was a solid return to form after he had allowed three or more runs over his four previous starts. Walker has a 4.35 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 135:65 K:BB over 165.2 innings in his first season with the Phillies. He is currently slated to make his final start of the regular season next week against the Pirates.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Goes seven frames in no-decision

    Walker gave up five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over seven innings Sunday against the Cardinals. He did not factor into the decision. The Cardinals got to Walker for three runs in the third and two runs in the fifth, but he ended strong with two shutout innings and was able to provide the Phillies with some length. It's just the second start in the last seven games he's managed to go more than six innings, a span during which he's struggled to a 5.85 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and has just 29 strikeouts in 40 innings. The 30-year-old currently projects for a home matchup against his former team in the Mets.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Another rough outing

    Walker did not factor into the decision in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against Atlanta, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings. Outside of a triple by Austin Riley in the first that turned into a little-league home run when the ball was fumbled in left field, Walker did not allow a home run, which was about the only positive development to take away from this outing. Walker threw only 53 of 103 pitches for strikes and hit two batters as part of the 11 runners he allowed to reach base. Walker has gone 16 consecutive starts throwing at least five innings, but following a stretch between June 6 and July 15 that saw him win seven consecutive games with a 1.64 ERA, Walker holds a 5.08 ERA over his last nine appearances. His next start is scheduled to take place this weekend in St. Louis.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Earns 14th win

    Walker (14-5) earned the win Monday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Angels. He struck out six. Walker dealt with plenty of baserunners Monday but managed to limit the damage to an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run single in the fourth. He exited the game with two outs in the sixth, holding a 5-3 lead and ultimately notched his 14th win, further adding to his career high. Walker has a 4.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 119:57 K:BB across 142.1 innings on the campaign. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come in Milwaukee over the weekend.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Seven strikeouts in no-decision

    Walker did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Giants. He struck out seven. In his return to Philadelphia's rotation, Walker ran into some bad luck in the first inning, allowing an unearned run to score after his defense committed two early errors. The 31-year-old righty then managed to hold San Francisco at bay until Joc Pederson laced a two-run double in the fifth. Walker had been living up to his last name in his previous seven starts, issuing 4.7 BB/9 to go with a 4.25 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 42.1 innings during that stretch. He is projected to face the Angels at home early next week.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Will skip start after poor outing

    Walker (13-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and six walks over five innings against the Twins. He struck out two. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he would skip Walker's next scheduled start to give him some extra rest, the Associated Press reports. Walker has given up four or more runs in three of his last six starts with a 18:14 K:BB in 30.1 innings. "Control is off, command is off, velocity is down," Thomson said. "So I think it's time to just give him a little breather." The Phillies have off days Monday and Thursday and were already running a six-man rotation, so Walker's brief shutdown won't cause any ripples on the staff.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows four runs in win

    Walker (13-4) earned the win Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over seven innings in an 8-4 victory over the Royals. He struck out two. It looked like it could be a short outing for Walker after he surrendered four runs in the first two innings. However, the 30-year-old Walker blanked the Royals over his next five innings, allowing just one more hit in that span, as he tied Justin Steele for the league lead with 13 wins. Walker now sports a 3.98 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 104:49 K:BB across 23 starts (126.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Twins in his next outing.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Notches 12th win

    Walker (12-4) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings against the Marlins. He struck out four. After allowing a two-run homer to Jorge Soler in the first inning, Walker rebounded to blank Miami over his next 5.2 frames to earn his 12th win. The 30-year-old Walker is now 8-1 over his last 10 starts, with a 2.45 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA is down to 3.99 with a 1.27 WHIP and 102:48 K:BB across 22 starts (119.2 innings) this season. Walker's next outing is currently lined up as a home matchup with the Royals this weekend.
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  • Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows two runs in no-decision

    Walker did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over 5.2 innings against the Orioles. He struck out four. It certainly could've been worse for Walker on Tuesday -- he held the Orioles to just two runs despite needing 104 pitches to make it through 5.2 innings. The 30-year-old right-hander has pitched to a 4.56 ERA over his last four outings after posting a pristine 0.84 mark in the previous five starts. Overall, Walker is 11-4 with a 4.06 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 98:46 K:BB through 21 starts (113 innings) this season. He's currently slated for a road matchup with the Marlins in his next outing.
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