Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL Cy Young candidates thru April

By Nick Fustor

Apr 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next

4. Taijuan Walker – SEA

Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

30 IP, 2-1, 1.80 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, .241 BAA, 29 K, 0.9 WAR

It may have taken a few seasons, but Taijuan Walker is finally showing why he was regarded as the top pitching prospect in the Seattle Mariners’ system for several years.  The 23-year-old has come out of the gates firing for the M’s and has established himself as the clear number two to ace Felix Hernandez.

Much of Walker’s success can be attributed to his ability to generate ground ball outs while still striking out batters at a solid clip. With a 55 percent ground ball rate and 8.70 K/9, Walker is among the best pitchers in the game at mixing up his approach to various hitters.  In addition, he’s the owner of an impressive 0.36 HR/9 along with only 6.3 percent of fly balls hit against him leaving the park.

Walker is also limiting his walks, as he only has three in 30 innings pitched, which is good for a 0.90 BB/9.  With 29 strikeouts on the season, Walker is consistently throwing hitters off with his varied approach.  It’s worthy to note that right-handers were hitting .283 against him, but he’s baffling lefties to the tune of a .163 average through his first four starts.  Those splits should remain consistent this season, but will likely even out as the 23-year-old matures in his approach.

It’s hard to see Walker winning the Cy this season, but not many expected a little known Dallas Keuchel to take the league by storm in 2015.  Expect big things from Walker if he can hold up under the pressure of being the team’s number two starter on paper.

Next: Number 3

Home/MLB Awards