The Phillies Have A Taijuan Walker Problem

Taijuan Walker is failing to start the game the right way. After Friday night’s game against the Braves, he allowed the bases to be loaded without recording an out, but limited the early damage to just two runs. In the first inning of ballgames so far this year, Walker holds a 24.75 ERA, a number that almost seems unheard of.

He has allowed a total of three home runs in the first inning of games to start the year. As the Phillies’ offense continues to sputter, especially against left-handed pitching, Walker is not allowing the team any time to settle into ballgames.

Walker’s Contract Is Becoming Worse Every Start

Walker was never going to be the ace of the team. When the Phillies signed him in December of 2022 to a whopping 4-year, $72 million contract, he was, at best, going to be the club’s third-best starting option. Since being signed by the Phillies, his ERA over that time is over 5.00, a number that is not indicative of a player earning that amount of money.

In the young season, Walker’s 9.16 ERA is among the worst in all of Major League Baseball. The Phillies seem unwilling to simply release Walker, as pitching is always in high demand, but it seems he is more of a liability than an asset, even more so this year. With perennial Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler set to return to the main roster in a matter of weeks, Walker will almost certainly be moved to the bullpen.

The Phillies Are Trending In A Dangerous Direction

Philadelphia’s offense is surprisingly bad. The team has the worst run differential in all of baseball so far at -37 runs. Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto, and Adolis Garcia are all well-underperforming to the point where a three-run deficit seems insurmountable. Even with Bryce Harper returning to his true MVP-like form, it just is not enough to carry an offense that is full of holes, and a team that has lost four of its first six series.

The starting pitching is an absolute wild card. With Wheeler being a complete unknown as he returns from surgery, young ace Christopher Sanchez continues to shine every start. Aaron Nola and Jesus Luzardo are extremely inconsistent to start the year, and rookie Andrew Painter is still working out his pitches, though he appears to have real potential.

End of My Taijuan Walker Rant

Walker is a net negative to a team with World Series aspirations. He struggles with command every start, with ten walks already on the year, and when he does throw strikes, the pitches are crushed by opposing batters. Walker will not be released by the Phillies, at least not yet, though it will be hard to find a time when he could see legitimate use as a pitcher on this team.

The team is already facing hard times with a sub .500 record to start its 2026 campaign, and can ill-afford to punt every fifth game with Walker on the mound. He will likely be used as a long man from the bullpen when Wheeler returns, but at $18 million a year, it is easy to say Walker’s contract has been the worst in recent Phillies history.