Matt

Walker

Walker is the third Rays pitcher to draw a 50-game ban since the beginning of last year. The 21-year-old right-hander was 4-7 with a 4.86 ERA in nine starts and 13 relief appearances in the FSL this season. Considering that he has very good stuff yet he’s always been awfully wild, maybe getting off the pills will do him some good.

He did walk four, so he didn’t get a chance to work deep into the game. He’s now walked eight in 13 innings this season, but that’s a whole lot better than last year, when he finished with 82 walks in 95 2/3 innings. He has a nice fastball-curveball combination and he’s displayed better command in the past, so he remains a prospect. However, it’s hard to see him making it as a starter.