Taijuan Walker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Taijuan Walker
Walker with the New York Mets in 2021
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 99
Pitcher
Born: (1992-08-13) August 13, 1992 (age 32) Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
debut
August 30, 2013, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics (through July 2, 2025)
Win–loss record	75–68
Earned run average	4.17
Strikeouts	1,048
Teams
Seattle Mariners (2013–2016) Arizona Diamondbacks (2017–2019) Seattle Mariners (2020) Toronto Blue Jays (2020) New York Mets (2021–2022) Philadelphia Phillies (2023–present)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star (2021)
Medals Men's baseball Representing MEX World Baseball Classic Bronze 2023 Miami Team

Taijuan Emmanuel Walker, born on August 13, 1992, is a professional baseball player. He is a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Phillies, he played for several other MLB teams. These include the Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets. Taijuan started playing in MLB in 2013. He was even chosen as an All-Star in 2021. He has also played for the Mexico national baseball team.

Taijuan's Early Days in Baseball

Taijuan Walker was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He first loved basketball, but started playing baseball when he was 11. Taijuan went to Yucaipa High School in Yucaipa, California. There, he played both pitcher and shortstop. He was a talented athlete in two sports.

Taijuan's Professional Baseball Journey

Starting with the Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners picked Taijuan in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft. He was the 43rd player chosen overall. Taijuan and the Mariners agreed to a deal that included an $800,000 signing bonus. He played four games for the rookie-level Arizona League Mariners. He was a relief pitcher in all of them. He had a 1–1 record with a 1.29 earned run average (ERA).

Taijuan was seen as one of the Mariners' top 10 future stars for 2011. He was ranked fourth by Baseball America. Before the 2012 season, he was the second-best prospect for the Mariners. He was also the 20th best overall in baseball. Taijuan was chosen to play in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.

In 2013, Taijuan played for the Tacoma Rainiers. This is a Triple-A team in the Pacific Coast League. He had a 5–3 win–loss record and a 3.61 ERA. He also had 64 strikeouts in 57 and one-third innings pitched. The Mariners then called him up to the major leagues on August 30, 2013.

Taijuan pitched 5 innings against the Houston Astros. He allowed only 2 hits and struck out 2 batters. He was called up again when teams could add more players in September 2013. He started 3 games and finished the season with a 3.60 ERA in 15 innings. On September 24, 2014, Taijuan pitched his first full MLB game. He allowed only one run in a 1–0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Taijuan Walker pitching for the Mariners in 2015

Taijuan started the 2015 season as a starting pitcher for the Mariners. In his first game, he gave up nine runs in just over 3 innings. He struggled in his next game too. This made some people wonder if he was ready for the big leagues. Taijuan kept having a tough time. He pitched more than 6 innings only once in his first nine starts.

However, Taijuan won five games in a row in June and July. His record improved from 2–6 to 7–6. After this winning streak, he struggled again. But on July 31, he pitched a complete game. He allowed only one hit, which was a home run. He won the game 6–1 and struck out 11 batters. Overall, Taijuan finished the 2015 season with an 11–8 record. His ERA was 4.56 in 29 starts.

In the first half of the 2016 season, Taijuan had a foot injury. He was put on the disabled list twice. He started the second half of the season on the disabled list. Before the All-Star break, Taijuan had a 4–7 record. He had a 3.66 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 86 innings. On August 8, 2016, he was sent to Triple-A. On September 13, 2016, Taijuan pitched his first complete game shutout. The Mariners won 8–0 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He did not allow any walks and gave up only three hits. He also struck out eleven batters.

Playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks

On November 23, 2016, the Mariners traded Taijuan to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Another player, Ketel Marte, also went in the trade. In return, the Mariners received Jean Segura, Mitch Haniger, and Zac Curtis. In 2017, his first year in Arizona, Taijuan started 28 games. He had a 9–9 record in 157 innings.

On April 15, 2018, Taijuan was placed on the disabled list. He had tightness in his right forearm. Two days later, it was found that he had a UCL injury in his right elbow. On April 18, it was confirmed that he had a partial tear of the UCL. This injury needed Tommy John surgery. This surgery ended Taijuan's 2018 season early.

After his surgery, Taijuan played in one game for the Diamondbacks. This was the last game of the 2019 season. On December 2, the Diamondbacks did not offer him a new contract. He then became a free agent.

Back with the Seattle Mariners

On February 4, 2020, Taijuan worked out for 20 scouts from major league teams. He signed a one-year contract for $2 million to return to the Seattle Mariners on February 12.

Time with the Toronto Blue Jays

On August 27, 2020, the Mariners traded Taijuan to the Toronto Blue Jays. They received a player to be named later or cash. On September 1, 2020, Toronto sent Alberto Rodríguez to Seattle to finish the trade. On August 29, 2020, Taijuan played his first game for the Blue Jays. He pitched six innings without allowing any runs. He gave up four hits. In the 2020 season, Taijuan played in 6 games. He had a 2–1 record with a 1.37 ERA. He also had 25 strikeouts in 26 and one-third innings pitched.

Joining the New York Mets

On February 20, 2021, Taijuan agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract. This was with the New York Mets. He also had an option to play in 2023. He was chosen for the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He replaced his teammate Jacob deGrom.

However, Taijuan's performance changed after the All-Star break. In the first half, he had a 7–3 record with a 2.66 ERA. In the second half, he was 0–8 with a 7.13 ERA. He finished the 2021 season with a 7–11 record overall. His ERA was 4.47 in 159 innings.

Taijuan hurt himself swinging right-handed. So, he started batting left-handed in August 2021. But when he bunts, he still does so right-handed. On November 7, 2022, Taijuan chose to end his contract with the Mets. He became a free agent for the 2023 season.

Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies

On December 16, 2022, Taijuan signed a four-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The contract was worth $72 million. He finished the 2023 regular season with a 15-6 record. His ERA was 4.38 over 31 starts. He did not pitch during the postseason.

Taijuan started the 2024 regular season on the injured list. He had right shoulder pain. He joined the starting rotation on April 28. This was after three practice starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He was placed on the injured list again on June 22. This time it was for inflammation in his right index finger. He had a 5.60 ERA in his 10 starts that season. He also struggled with controlling his pitches and their speed.

When he returned from the injured list in August, Taijuan continued to struggle. He was moved from being a starting pitcher to a bullpen relief pitcher on August 29. In 2024 with the Phillies, he had a 3-7 record with a 7.10 ERA. His WHIP was 1.721 in 19 games. He was among the lowest-ranked MLB pitchers in several areas. These included how fast batters hit the ball and how often they missed his pitches.

On May 7, 2025, Taijuan recorded his first career save. He struck out seven batters over three innings of relief. This was against the Tampa Bay Rays.

International Baseball Career

Taijuan played for Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He started a game against Great Britain on March 14. He gave up only one hit and struck out eight batters over four innings.

Taijuan's Pitching Style

Taijuan throws a mid-90s four-seam fastball. He also uses a curveball and a changeup. He has also started to use a sinker and a cut fastball.

Taijuan's Personal Life

Taijuan's father is Black, and his mother is half-Mexican and half-White. His single mother raised him. Taijuan helped take care of his younger brothers and sisters.

Taijuan is a fan of the Pokémon and Star Wars series.

Taijuan and his wife, Heather Restrepo, had their first child, a son, in July 2017. They welcomed a second son in early November 2020.