SF Giants Sign RHP Jeremy Walker to MiLB Deal

According to a report by Giants Prospects (a.k.a GPT), the SF Giants have signed right-handed pitcher Jeremy Walker to a minor-league contract. Walker made his big-league debut with Atlanta in 2019 but missed last season with a shoulder injury and was released in February. While he has extensive minor-league experience as a starter, he will likely join the organization at spring training, competing for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

Atlanta drafted Walker in the fifth round of the 2016 draft out of Gardner-Webb University. He quickly ascended the minor-league ranks as a contact-oriented starter for the next two years, striking out less than seven batters per nine innings while posting a sub-4.00 ERA. In 2019 though, Atlanta shifted Walker to a long-relief role at Triple-A, where he immediately excelled.

SF Giants sign RHP Jeremy Walker to a MiLB deal.

Across 32 appearances (one start) at Triple-A, Walker completed 81.1 innings, struck out 82, walked just 11, recorded 7 saves, and held opponents with a 2.88 ERA. Late in the year, Atlanta finally rewarded him with a big-league promotion. Late in 2019 with Atlanta, Walker made 9 appearances, completed 9.1 innings, and allowed just 2 earned runs. His peripherals (4 walks and 6 strikeouts), however, were not at his minor-league levels,

As with many of the Giants bullpen acquisitions this offseason, Walker does not work off a high-powered fastball. Instead, he utilizes a strong sweeping curveball to generate whiffs alongside a low-90s sinker that tries to limit hard contact.

The SF Giants have added right-handed pitcher Jeremy Walker to a crowded competition for a spot on the Opening Day roster as a long reliever. Still, he is likely slotted to begin the season at Triple-A Sacramento. If he can replicate his minor-league success in 2019, he will very likely reach the Giants MLB roster at some point this season.