Taijuan Walker
From BR Bullpen
Taijuan Emmanuel Walker
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 195 lb.
- High School Yucaipa High School
Taijuan Walker was Seattle's first pick in 2010.
Walker was 10-4 with a 1.77 ERA as a high school senior, fanning 93 in 67 1/3 innings and allowing no home runs. He also was a basketball star, averaging 21 points and 15 rebounds per game at forward. Walker's fastball was timed at 95 mph.
The Seattle Mariners chose Walker 43rd overall in the 2010 amateur draft; the choice was compensation for the loss of Adrian Beltre. Seattle had lost its earlier first-round pick when they signed Chone Figgins, who was demoted in the bottom of the order right before the draft.
Walker made his pro debut with the AZL Mariners on July 10 against the AZL Royals. He retired all six batters he faced, half on strikeout, to earn the win.
