The Boston Red Sox quest for rotation pitching would challenge Don Quixote. I now present another candidate in Marcus Walden.
The now delayed baseball season may allow the Boston Red Sox a tad more breathing room in determining their rotation. The options are as numerous as the recent flood of prospective candidates presented to voters by the Democratic Party. And – likewise – that collection was whittled down so will the candidates for the Red Sox rotation. Since I have a herd mentality I will offer up my choice and that is right-handed Marcus Walden, now 31-years-old.
Walden has appeared in 78 major league games with nary a start. Strictly bullpen in a variety of roles in which Walden performed rather admirably. Last season, Walden was presented the opportunity to close and four blown saves in six attempts made that a lost cause, as it did with many others who tried and failed before Brandon Workman became the last man standing. That was one item off the previously mentioned admirable list, but the rest of the pitching package did surprise.
Walden posted a remarkable 9-2 record with one statistical achievement of note – a bullpen best 53.5 GB%. Walden relies on a fastball, cutter, sinker, and slider with his fastball in the mid-90s range. Walden’s ERA (3.81) and FIP (3.69) mirrored each other. A negative note is possibly Walden’s control issues with a 3.3 BB/9 and six wild pitches. But a positive note is lefties hit just .198 against Walden and right-handers a less than robust .222.
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Walden would be no novice to taking the ball to begin a game. A veteran of ten minor league seasons in multiple organizations, Walden often was a part of the rotation. In 2017 with Pawtucket (AAA), Walden made 15 starts before joining the Sox as a 30-year-old rookie.
Occasionally a player surfaces from the baseball scrap heap to succeed and Walden fits that mold with a long minor league bloodline including independent league baseball. If perseverance gives points, Walden has a bundle. Conversely, I have no illusions about Walden suddenly becoming a force to be reckoned with, but it has happened such as Red Sox castaway Jamie Moyer. This would be a gritty hurler who could keep you in the game – all that one may wish from the bottom of the rotation pitcher.
Walden’s competition is narrowing down, but with the baseball hiatus, the competition could be on hold. Ryan Weber and Mike Shawaryn are in the mix and so is freshly signed Collin McHugh who is recovering from an arm injury. Chris Mazza is off the scrap pile and into the rotation blender. Hotshot prospect Darwinzon Hernandez and former first-round pick Tanner Houck are also in the rotation hunt for employment. Based on the fragile state of pitching there are quite possibly multiple openings.
The Red Sox rotation will be a work in progress or lack of progress or trial and error – pick your cliche. So much revolves around Chris Sale, but the depth is questionable and what is even more questionable is just what the team will get from that depth. Walden will or should be in the mix. Walden has earned it based on 2019 and if it falls apart he’ll have steady employment in the bullpen.