Josh Walker is that “technically correct” answer for which pitcher started the Mets 2022 season as he started the first game of Spring Training this year! In two games and 4.0 innings so far, he’s allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, from 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4.
The Mets drafted Josh Walker in the 37th round back in 2017 out of the University of New Haven. The 27-year old lefty is trying to break onto a roster this season after playing at three different levels last year. Walker pitched a three different levels last year for the Mets (like fellow Non-Roster Invitee Eric Orze). Walker posted a 2.57 ERA over 21.0 innings in Brooklyn, 3.45 ERA over 44.1 innings in Binghamton and a 5.54 ERA over 50.1 innings in Syracuse. He was one year younger than the average player in AAA ball when he pitched in Syracuse last year. His time in the minors has been full of interruptions beyond his control. He had a nerve injury in 2019 from a car accident and there was no minor league action in 2020.
The MLB Prospects Page notes that he has a low 90’s fastball, upper 70’s curveball and a change-up. He is more of a control pitcher than an over powering speed pitcher.
There are a couple of questions the Mets should have about Walker going into this Spring. First, he’s been primarily used as a starter. Should that continue? (This is a good time to note he was primarily a reliever at the University of New Haven) The Mets immediate need is a lefty reliever. Second, Syracuse’s rotation is stacked and now four members of their projected rotation were starters for the Mets last year (Peterson, Megill, Yamamoto, Williams). That being said, we saw how quickly last year things can fall apart and you could be scrambling for a pitcher who is stretched out to the start. The second question is attached to the first – where should Walker pitch this year? If he’s a starter, he would get more innings initially in Binghamton. Age wise he should be in Syracuse.
There’s still a few weeks in Spring! We are excited to see what Walker brings the rest of the way!
