The maturation of Taijuan Walker: ‘I really want to help the younger guys’
New York TimesPEORIA, Ariz. – The question caught Taijuan Walker by surprise. I didn’t want to be the guy who was lazy.” Popular opinion held that the Mariners traded Walker because the organization wasn’t sure the former prospect would get better, but the real push behind the deal was improving the Seattle’s offense, adding length to a lineup that included Kyle Seager, Nelson Cruz and Robinson Canó, even if it meant trading a young, controllable pitcher. “You look at all of the great guys in the big leagues, and they are there because they are not only great but all the hard work they’ve put in,” Walker said. “I sort of feel like I’m the old guy, but I’m only 27,” said Walker, who will make his spring debut Wednesday in an intrasquad “B” game. “I really want to help the younger guys coming up,” he said, looking around a clubhouse filled with many of the organization’s top pitching prospects.
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