Tyler Walker (baseball)

For other people named Tyler Walker, see Tyler Walker.

Tyler Walker
Walker with the Washington Nationals
Relief pitcher
Born: (1976-05-15) May 15, 1976
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 2, 2002, for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
June 19, 2010, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record23–18
Earned run average4.23
Strikeouts243
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

Tyler Lanier Walker (born May 15, 1976) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He is an alumnus of San Francisco University High School, where he was closely mentored by Duncan Lyon, and University of California, Berkeley. Walker pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets (2002), San Francisco Giants (2004–2006, 2007–2008), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2006), Philadelphia Phillies (2009), and Washington Nationals (2010).

Early life and college career

Born in San Francisco, Walker grew up in nearby Ross and graduated from San Francisco University High School in 1994.[1] After high school, Walker attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a pitcher for California Golden Bears baseball from 1996 to 1997 after redshirting the 1995 season.[1]

In 1996, Walker had a 3.58 ERA, 2–1 record, and one save in 23 games and 37.7 innings pitched.[1] Walker then had the team's second best ERA in 1997 at 3.40, with a 4–4 record and four saves in 23 appearances (including one start) and 47.7 innings pitched.[2]

Professional career

In the 1997 Major League Baseball draft, the New York Mets selected Walker in the second round; Walker was the 58th overall pick.[3][4] Walker began his pro career with the Pittsfield Mets in 1997.[5]

On July 2, 2002, Walker made his major league debut in the New York Mets' 12–6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching one inning in relief and giving up two runs.[3]

Walker's big break came in 2005, when Armando Benítez, the regular Giants closer, was out of action for three months.[6] With only one major league save in his career to that point, Walker filled in admirably by converting 23 out of 28 save opportunities. On June 17, in a game against the Detroit Tigers, Walker made history by becoming the first pitcher to record a save (since the save rule became an official stat in 1969) by entering a game with the bases loaded with nobody out and proceeding to strike out all three batters he faced without allowing a run to score.

Early in the 2006 season, Walker was sent to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange for minor leaguer Carlos Hines. On June 14 of that year, he was placed on the disabled list with a strained right elbow, and later underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. On December 10, 2006, he signed a minor league deal with the Giants. He pitched in 15 games late in the 2007 season and re-signed with the Giants for 2008.[7] In 65 games in 2008, he had a 4.56 ERA and became a free agent after the season. On January 6, 2009, he signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners.[8] He was released on March 29, 2009, before the start of the regular season.[9] After that, he was signed by the Phillies on April 9, 2009.

On January 25, 2010, Walker agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. He posted a 3.57 ERA during the 2010 season out of a long relief role. After the season ended, he became a free agent.[10]

Walker signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League on September 14, 2011.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Tyler Walker". University of California, Berkeley. Archived from the original on June 17, 1997. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  2. ^ "Final 1997 stats". University of California, Berkeley. Archived from the original on October 5, 1999. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Tyler Walker". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  4. ^ "Mets Draft Tyler Walker". University of California, Berkeley. June 3, 1997. Archived from the original on June 17, 1997. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  5. ^ "Tyler Walker Minor & Independent Lg Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  6. ^ Jacob Shafer (August 29, 2005). "Big League Pitcher Tyler Walker". PacificSun.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  7. ^ Henry Schulman (November 18, 2007). "Giants Sign Walker To 1-Year Deal". SFGate.com. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  8. ^ "Seattle Mariners sign right-handed pitcher Tyler Walker". MLB.com. January 6, 2009. Archived from the original on January 21, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  9. ^ Morrow headed to bullpen. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved on March 29, 2009
  10. ^ Nationals sign reliever Walker Archived 2010-01-29 at the Wayback Machine. MLB.com. Retrieved on January 25, 2010.
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