Arizona Diamondbacks: Taijuan Walker’s learning from the past

By Mark Brown |

Taijuan Walker says the melt-down of last year's playoff game against the Dodgers in the rear-view mirror. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)

Right-hander Taijuan Walker of the Arizona Diamondbacks is making adjustments from his playoff melt-down last October.

In his approach and methodology, manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks, above all, holds his players accountable. That would take into account decisive moments and moments of challenge.

For right-hander Taijuan Walker, these moments of liability and responsibility date to his melt-down in the NLDS against the Dodgers last autumn. Whether a disastrous night last October in Dodger Stadium has a residual effect, Walker told Call to the Pen that is not a worry.

“Just kind of put it away,” he said of that opening game of the Dodgers series. “It happened, I moved on, and got better in the off-season.”

In the opening game of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium, Walker’s melt-down is evident from the start. In the first inning which ended with Walker throwing 48 pitches, he allowed four runs, including a three-run homer to Justin Turner. Lasting only that opening inning of the game, Walker dismissed that one frame throughout the off-season. Telling Call to the Pen that experience is now in the rear-view mirror, the off-season was a time to get better.

“I’m trying to be more consistent and refine my mechanics,” he said. “Also, working on conditioning and strength. Just want to make sure my arm is good and ready to go.”

During last season, Walker showed signs of truly competitive and, at other times, that he rarely belonged at the Double AA Level.

First, there was the recovery from a foot injury sustained during the 2016 season with Seattle. Then, Walker had that adjustment to the National League and an education to a new set of hitters. Despite finishing with a 9-9 record, Walker’s 3.49 ERA was a career-best. At the same time, he limited opposing hitters to a .247 batting average, and that matched his career low established in 2016.

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Despite how last season ended and the nature of coping with the result, Lovullo is confident in Walker’s contribution to the pitching staff. Describing Walker as a potential “horse” of the staff, Lovullo is certain Walker will make the necessary adjustments and raise the level of his game.

“(Walker) has a high ceiling and he’s still climbing,” Lovullo said. “I will not say that he is a number one, two or any other number in the rotation. Taijuan knows what needs to improve.”

If Walker’s pitch count was up in that playoff game, the experience was revisited Saturday. After retiring the Royals in order in the first inning, he threw 35 pitches in a disastrous second inning. Here, Walker allowed three runs, three hits and walked a pair. Lifted after those two frames, Walker repaired to the bullpen and another 15 pitches. The goal was a 60-pitch outing. That was accomplished, but little else on a cloudy, cool afternoon in the desert.

On the diamond …

Down 3-0 early, the Diamondbacks rallied for three in the bottom of the third and followed with a 10-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals before a sell-out crowd of 13,511 at Salt River. The win was the sixth in a row and pushed Arizona’s spring mark to 9-7.

While wins put a smile on the face of any manager, Lovullo told Call to the Pen after the game that the effect is greater than shown in the standings.

“This is about getting work in and gaining improvement,” he said. “What we do here in spring training and the habits we have does a lot to win games that count.”

Left-fielder David Peralta led a 13-hit attack with a 3-for-4 effort, and Ketel Marte added a 3-for-3 day with a double and run scored. Jeff Mathis and Yasmany Tomas each scored two runs and Mathis, along with Kristopher Negron added a pair of RBIs.

Grab a bat …

Starting pitchers have one more week to concentrate on pitching solely. Then, it’s time to pick up a bat and add another dimension to their game

Before Saturday’s game with Kansas City, manager Torey Lovullo told Call to the Pen that beginning on March 18, starters will begin to hit in spring games.

“For the opening weeks, we wanted pitchers to concentrate on pitching,” he said. “They’ll progress now to other responsibilities.”

Roster moves …

Before Saturday’s game, the Diamondbacks reduced their roster by eight players.

Optioned to Triple-A Reno were pitchers Jake Barrett and Jared Miller. Assigned to the minor league camp were pitchers Ryan Atkinson, Taylor Clarke, Taylor Widener and Yuhei Nakaushiro. Also assigned to the minor league camp were catcher Michael Perez and infielder Kevin Cron.

Next: D-backs 2018 Season Preview

Now, 51 players remain in the major league camp. The Diamondbacks must reach a 25-man playing roster by opening day. They commence the season Thursday, March 29 at home against the Colorado Rockies.

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