4 years agoNew York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker used technology and numbers provided by Driveline Baseball, an analytics-based player development organization in Kent, Washington to help improve his mechanics and spin numbers after the 2019 season. The results were impressive. In 2020, over 11 starts and 53 1/3 innings pitched between the Mariners and Blue Jays, Walker posted a 2.70 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and a 50:19 K:BB. Due to the shortened 2020 season, and a torn ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow suffered in 2018 resulting in Tommy John surgery, Walker has been limited to just 67 1/3 IP over the last three seasons. Now healthy, Walker, who is on numerous fantasy sleeper lists heading into 2021, is poised for a big season as the Mets' third starter. He should remain in the rotation when Carlos Carrasco (hamstring) and Noah Syndergaard (elbow) return to action later this season. In six innings of Grapefruit League action, Walker has posted a 3.00 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and a 5:3 K:BB. Though it is a small sample size, it may be a sign of things to come for Walker heading into 2021. If he can get his career walk rate down and rely more on his slider which produced a higher whiff rate, lower launch angle, and lower exit velocity than his fastball in 2020, Walker could be in line for a big season in Queens--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBaller
Source: New York Post