Mariners' Walker using All-Star break to his advantage
While his Seattle Mariners teammates Felix Hernandez and Nelson Cruz bask in the glow of their All-Star selections this week in Cincinnati, pitcher Taijuan Walker will be sightseeing in New York City.
That's according to MLB.com's Greg Johns, who says the young right-hander will be utilizing the break to focus on things not related to baseball.
Walker allowed six earned runs to the rival Los Angeles Angels on Sunday at Safeco Field, bringing the first half to a close with a thud for the underachieving Mariners.
The young fireballer started out 2015 slowly, before putting together some solid outings (Sunday's game notwithstanding). He'll begin the second half with a 7-7 record and a 4.84 ERA, but he's choosing to focus on the positive strides he's made so far this season.
Johns notes that Walker has gone 6-2 with a 3.03 ERA in his past nine starts, collecting 51 strikeouts and allowing just four walks in that span. Seattle has to be pleased with those types of numbers from Walker, considered by many to be one of the club's primary pitching prospects for years to come.
Said Walker to Johns regarding his up and down 2015: "I struggled a lot in the beginning and then kind of turned it around. Now I just feel real confident. Even giving up a couple runs, I still feel confident going out there going six or seven. Early in the season I'd give up a couple runs and then kind of fold, but I'm feeling real confident in myself and [catcher Mike Zunino]. We have a good game plan and I'm still getting better. My secondary stuff is getting better. I'm pounding the zone and not walking anybody and that's a huge plus. If I can take my stuff into the second half that I've had lately, I should be fine."