Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ATL | RHP | 31 | 35 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | CH | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 30 | 45 | 50 | 50 | 45/40 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Trevor Hooth
Age: 26 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 235 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 Draft, Round 5
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster
Physical Description: Filled out frame. Long limbs. Thick legs. Looks like most of his 235 frame comes from his lower half.
Delivery & Mechanics: Easy motion. 3/4 arm slot. Quick arm with consistency can create deception. Hands stay by his stomach for the break. Hands break as leg goes down. Lacks optimal extension. Finishes falling off to first base. Leg swings all the way across on finish to the point where his throwing shoulder is facing the plate. Quick tempo on the mound.
Fastball: Mixes 4-seam and sinker. 4-seam is 91-94 T95. Sinker and FB both average just over 92MPH. Generally uses a sinker that generates arm-side run. Can mix in a 4-seam, but not often. Not afraid to work this pitch to both sides of the plate. The pitch turns more hittable the higher it is in the zone. Grade: 45
Curveball: 79-82. 11 to 5 shape. Get's good depth on the pitch. Sharp and late bite to it. Uses this pitch to generate whiffs against RHH. Not afraid to use it early in the count, especially against LHH. Works it to both sides of the plate. Commands this pitch better than the FB. Grade: 50
Changeup: 86-87. Gets fade similar to the sinker. Almost only show to left handed hitters. Grade: 40
Control and Command: Lives around the zone and doesn't walk too many guys. When he misses with the fastball, he's got a tendency to do so over the middle of the plate. Shows a really good feel to command his breaking ball, but is not close to the same feel with his fastball. Can work to both sides of the plate with both pitches. Control: 45 | Command: 40
Overall: Walker was hurt for the 2020 season, but already debuted in 2019. It's clear the Braves see him as a reliever. He's likely an up and down bullpen depth piece, mostly due to his stuff. While the curveball is clearly his best pitch, and is good enough to consistently get big league hitters out, it isn't strong enough to stand on its own. His fastball/sinker combo is what gets the bulk of use for him and neither pitch is good enough to have him succeed in high leverage situations, but it can play serviceable enough to play off the breaking ball for an inning. Improved command, or a bump to his fastball would are the keys to a bigger bullpen role.
OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: Low
