Baltimore Orioles Southpaw Continues To Thrive Down The Stretch

Josh Walker had been designated for assignment seven separate times in his career.

Six different teams that had the left-hander in their organization DFA’d him, and only one team had done so twice – the Baltimore Orioles. After the second time, Walker had remained with the organization and eventually broke his way onto the major league team this year in the bullpen.

Walker had made his Orioles debut in May. He had been called up and optioned three separate times until he had his contract selected for a fourth time this season on July 24. Ever since then, he has been one of the Orioles’ most effective arms in their bullpen. 

In 24 total outings this season, Walker has posted a 1.90 ERA in 23 ⅔ innings pitched. His 23 strikeouts to eight walks had been an impressive facet of his game this season, as his command has strongly improved from his other major league stints. 

Most notably, the 31-year-old has been lockdown in the bullpen since early-August. In 15 appearances since August 6th, Walker has not allowed a run in 12 ⅔ innings pitched, while tossing 14 strikeouts to his name. 

Prior to the recent addition of Luis DeLeón to the Orioles’ roster, Walker had carried the weight of one of the lone left-handers in the Baltimore bullpen. Grant Wolfram has been the team’s lone left-hander in the bullpen throughout the year, but has struggled in posting an ERA well above four.

Keegan Akin had split most of the left-handed reliever workload with Wolfram up until his injury in late-June, which eventually paved the way for Walker to see more time in spots where a lefty was needed. Evidently, Walker has taken complete advantage of the opportunity.

Akin, who posted a 5.68 ERA in 24 appearances prior to his injury, had been notably struggling in his role, while Wolfram has had his own inconsistencies. Walker has undoubtedly brought the most consistency from a left-hander in the Orioles’ bullpen this year.

Walker’s success in his role is a huge step-up from prior stints in the MLB. The left-hander had played parts of two seasons with the New York Mets and made three appearances for the Toronto Blue Jays last season. However, one thing was constant among each season – his struggles were considerably notable.

Walker had posted a 6.59 ERA in 27 ⅓ innings prior to joining the Orioles. Since then, he has completely turned things around and has proven to be one of the Orioles’ most reliable relief arms down the stretch.