Walker is Emerging As One of The Best Young Pitching Prospects in Baseball

Taijuan Walker was drafted 43rd overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2010 MLB draft. He was seen as having a good fastball, but his off-speed pitches were inconsistent. Walker was very raw, but his projectability and athleticism warranted an early round selection. He has made big strides since then, and is coveted as a top-two prospect in the Mariners system, some even ranking him ahead of the number-two overall pick in the 2011 draft, Danny Hultzen.

Walker began to improve his stock with a strong performance in instructional league at the end of the 2010 season. Still, he was still very unknown heading into the 2011 season, ranking outside the top 200 on many prospect lists.

Walker's 2011 season really began to put him on the map. Walker made 18 starts at single A, striking out 113 batters in just 96.2 innings (10.5 K/9), while walking 39 batters (3.6 BB/9). He finished the year with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Aside from a good strikeout to walk ratio, Walker was able to limit opposing hitters to just 4 home runs and a .202 batting average. A 2.70 FIP and luck-neutral BABIP and strand rates show that his success was mostly skill related.

Walker's pitching arsenal includes a fastball, curveball, changeup, and has previously included a slider as well. His fastball has plus control, features some natural sink, and sits in the 93-96 mph range, topping out at 98. His curveball has improved significantly since he was drafted, having huge break, and flashing as an elite pitch, although still inconsistent. He has also improved his changeup into an adequate offering. He however, does not repeat delivery enough, contributing to an inconsistent curveball, and causing him to leave pitches up in the zone.

Walker just turned 19 years old, but his talent and projectability gives him enormous upside; the type of pitcher who could be the ace of a fantasy staff someday. If things fall right for him he should be able to contribute lots of strikeouts, with a good ERA and WHIP. If he remains in Seattle, that will make for a good pitching environment, and traditionally the AL West isn't a bad division to pitch in either, though projecting the future of the division is purely speculation. Walker will likely begin the 2012 season in high A ball, a much better hitting environment, so he will have to learn to pitch down in the zone more. Walker probably won't arrive in the majors until 2014, with a chance at a mid-2013 call-up if he progresses quicker than expected, but he by no means should be ignored.

Approach in Dynasty Leagues

Fantasy baseball owners are often slow to react to the change in value of major league players, and with less information about prospects circulating the Internet, fantasy owners are nearly clueless when a prospect moves into the top tier. This offers a buying opportunity in deep dynasty leagues who either have minor league rosters, or who are able to keep minor leaguers for multiple years on deep benches. Walker may even be available on the waiver wire in some deeper leagues.

His talent and upside should have him ranked inside the top 30 on many 2012 prospects lists, with the potential for higher than that on aggressive lists. He should be treated as a fringe-top 30 fantasy baseball prospect, so approach accordingly.

If you are looking for some ideas of some potential offers that might get the job done, try to offer prospects who have more established name value, like: Zach Cox, Mike Montgomery, Jarred Cosart, or light hitting Matt Dominguez.

As with all prospects, Walker's future production is volatile, but his skills certainly warrant taking a chance on. There aren't many opportunities to buy a pitcher who could become a top-five fantasy starter someday, without paying a significant price. Walker presents this opportunity for attentive dynasty league owners right now. React quickly if you wish to secure his services cheaply, as opinions on Walker will change as updated 2012 prospects lists become more readily available.

Regardless if you are able to trade for him or not, he is still worthy of a dynasty leagues stash, selection, or as a name too store in your mind as the 2014 season approaches.