Taijuan Walker
Heading into the 2024 season, Taijuan Walker was looking to make a statement with his game after the Phillies denied him of a start during their 2023 postseason run. However, not only has he failed to make that statement, his season has actually turned into a complete disaster filled with injuries and ineffectiveness.
Even when he was healthy, Walker struggled to get into any groove as opposing hitters teed off of him. In 14 starts, he accumulated a dismal 6.50 ERA, .310 opponents batting average and 1.64 WHIP, giving up 51 earned runs, including 18 home runs, with 29 walks and 53 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings pitched. As a result, Walker has been subsequently relegated to the bullpen for the final month of the season to get his game back on track.
His three relief appearances to date have been a little better as he has posted a 4.50 ERA while giving up four earned runs on 10 hits with two walks and two strikeouts in eight innings of work. But it's still a far cry from the reliable form that he exhibited with the club last season. Nevertheless, the Phillies are aiming to work with him this upcoming offseason to resurrect his game, with hopes that he can fit into some effective role with the team in 2025, whether it be as a starter again or as a reliever.
However, if they are unable to fix whatever problem is ailing Walker and he remains a huge liability, then the Phillies could be facing a tough decision ahead on whether he still deserves a spot on their big league roster.