Phillies’ call-up has done more than enough to stick in rotation over Taijuan Walker

The Philadelphia Phillies No. 5 starter has been a revolving door all season. The team’s latest call-up could stick in the rotation after his early success with the Phillies.

Phillies’ call-up has done more than enough to stick in rotation over Taijuan Walker

Kolby Allard was first called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 27. The former Atlanta Braves first-round pick made three appearances with the Phillies, including two starts after his promotion. He went 1-0 with five earned runs, two walks allowed and struck out eight batters across 13 innings pitched.

The Phillies optioned Allard to Lehigh Valley on Aug. 9, but he was recalled 16 days later to make a start against the second-place Kansas City Royals. The left-hander went five innings and allowed just two earned runs off of two solo home runs. He struck out five and now has a 3.50 ERA in 18 innings pitched with the Phillies this season.

Allard has impressed the team in his limited action in the majors this year, especially after his last start. One flaw that the 27-year-old could improve upon is limiting the long ball. He has let up at least one home run in each of his four appearances with the Phillies this season. It hasn’t cost him or the team much, but it’s a trend that won’t be successful if it continues.

Time to remove Taijuan Walker as the fifth starter

The Phillies have four pitchers capable of being discussed among the league’s best in Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez. The fifth starter has raised a lot of controversy all season.

The Phillies have had six pitchers start two or more games this season outside of the top four starting pitchers. Spencer Turnbull started the season in the starting rotation while Taijuan Walker was returning from injury. Turnbull was moved to the bullpen when Walker was healthy, and he was given another chance to start a game before landing on the IL. Turnbull pitched well in that role causing a lot of controversy among the fans and the media when the Phillies decided to keep Walker in the rotation over him.

Tyler Phillips and Michael Mercado both looked promising at first when they were given chances to start while Walker was making his way back from injury for the second time this year. Their success didn’t last long, as both pitchers were returned to Triple-A. Orion Kerkering made two starts this season pitching just one inning each as an opener when the Phillies decided to go with a bullpen game.

The Phillies have yet another tough decision to make with who to keep in the starting rotation. Despite being optioned to Triple-A on Monday, Allard has done more than enough to stick around, but Walker is just two years into a four-year, $72 million contract.

Phillies fans have grown restless toward Walker. The 32-year-old is 3-5 with a 6.26 ERA in 13 starts in 2024. He had a 4.38 ERA last season and didn’t see any postseason action, despite being paid $18 million a year.

It’s hard to imagine the Phillies not keeping Walker in the starting rotation given the amount of money he’s making. Walker has been given chance after chance, and he’s still been outplayed by multiple other options this season. There has to be a point that the Phillies say enough is enough and remove him from the starting rotation.