2015 Phillies Rotation Candidates
By Matt Veasey
Free agent signee Walters is ticketed for AAA, but circumstances could result in his getting a shot in the Phils rotation at some point.
(Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)
The Cardinals 11th round pick in the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft, P.J. Walters reached the majors pitching mostly out of the bullpen in Saint Louis from 2009-11. However, he signed with the Minnesota Twins as a free agent following the 2011 season, and the Twins moved him to the rotation.
Walters made 20 starts over the 2012-13 seasons in Minnesota, going 4-10, and was mostly unimpressive. He split the 2014 season in the AAA systems of both the Royals and Blue Jays. There, Walters went a combined 7-9 with a 4.82 ERA across 25 starts.
He turns 30 years old during spring training, and is likely ticketed for a spot in the Lehigh Valley rotation. But as with some of the others here, the combination of issues involving all of the other candidates could add up to an increased opportunity. It would not be a complete surprise to find Walters toeing the rubber out of the Phils rotation at Citizens Bank Park at some point in 2015.