Josh Walker, Photo by Ed Delany of MetsmerizedOnline
Josh Walker made his Major League debut in the seventh inning of the New York Mets loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Walker, 28, pitched a scoreless seventh not allowing a hit while walking two batters.
Walker was the Mets 2017 37th round draft pick out of the University of New Haven. He joins David Peterson (first round) and Mark Vientos (second round) as the Mets prospects from that draft to appear in the Major Leagues.
It was a different path for Walker than Peterson or Vientos. Walker would injure his pitching arm in a 2019 car accident, and he would not pitch at all in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, he entered the 2021 season as an older 26 year old prospect who had yet to pitch for a full season minor league affiliate.
He would pitch in Brooklyn, Binghamton, and Syracuse as a starter in 2021. While much more successful in Brooklyn than his other stops, he had a strong season going 9-4 with a 3.73 ERA, 1.020 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, and a 7.6 K/9.
After what appeared to be a breakout season, Walker would open the 2022 season on the IL, and he would not appear in a game until July 30. At that point, the Mets had opted to move him to the bullpen where he thrived early for St. Lucie before faltering with Syracuse.
Walker came back healthy to start spring training this season, and he had a very good start to the season for Triple-A Syracuse. Over nine appearances, he was 2-0- with a 0.68 ERA, 0.900 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, and a 12.2 K/9.
Left-hander Josh Walker is joining the Mets.
The 28–year-old has been fantastic this year for Triple-A Syracuse: 0.68 ERA, 34 K%, .130 average against
Fastball in low 90s (95t), curve, slider, change (former starter). Born in Otisville, NY.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) May 16, 2023
Being a former starter, he’s a four pitch pitcher who spins the ball and locates well. His fastball/change combination keeps batters off-balance, and he is able to induce soft contact against him. Notably, for the left-handed reliever, he has dominated left-handed batters this year limiting them to a .105/.227/.105 batting line. Right-handed batters aren’t faring much better hitting .133/.278/.167 off Walker.
Overall, Walker has pitched well out of the bullpen, and he earned a promotion to the majors. After his long journey and pitching a scoreless inning against the best team in baseball, all Walker could talk about was how grateful he was for the Mets for sticking with him and for his getting this opportunity. If he is able to pitch this well out of the pen, every Mets fan will be grateful for him.
