Walden shows right stuff
Jordan Walden, looking very much like a young John Lackey, delivered two impressive innings in his Cactus League debut. The 6-foot-5 flamethrower from Texas ended both innings with strikeouts, leaving runners stranded, and finished with three K’s.
The Athletics collected a pair of hits — Eric Chavez’s single through the middle in the first, Chris Carter’s opposite-field double leading off the second — but Walden buckled down when he needed outs. He caught dangerous Jack Cust looking at a third strike to end the first and Rob Bowen went down swinging to finish the second.
With a pitcher as young as Walden, who turned 21 in November, his response to adversity often determines how swiftly he advances through the system. Walden’s stuff is premium: 95-96 mph heat that he holds into the sixth and seventh innings, complemented by developing off-speed stuff. With one out and Carter on third, Walden got Cliff Pennington to roll over on a grounder to Kendry Morales at first, and he shot down Carter at the plate. That was a location pitch, not a bullet, that got Walden out of trouble — a very good sign in his development.
Walden worked at two Class A levels last season, striking out 141 hitters in 156 1/3 innings at Cedar Rapids and Rancho Cucamonga. This guy could be on the fast track to Anaheim if he continues his development this season.
This sounds encouraging (see, I can be positive). How did we get this kid? I’m asking because if he was at two Class A stops last year and he’s 21, did he go to college?
Thanks!
Here you go. . .
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/highschool/06/05/profile.walden/index.html . . .BeesGal
http://www.chiburibird.net/sporkballblog/
The story on the Angels web site at mlb.com details Walden’s history. This guy is the truth. He has star qualities.