Get To Know A Non-Roster Invitee: Josh Walker

Josh Walker is one of several left-handed pitchers the New York Mets are bringing in as non-roster invitees this spring. The six-foot-six reliever is 28 years old. Walker was drafted by the Mets in the 37th round back in 2017 out of the University of New Haven. He has a low-90 MPH fastball, upper 70-MPH curveball, and a changeup.

Walker also received a non-roster invitation to Mets’ camp last season. In 2021, Walker was mainly used as a starter, where he had a 3.73 ERA and a 1.020 WHIP over three different levels of minor league baseball. If he was going to make the major league squad last year however, it was going to be as a reliever.

Unfortunately, Walker picked up an injury in spring that kept him out of most of the season. Over the 13 games he did play in 2022, Walker tossed 22 innings with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.455 WHIP. He got most of his work in Syracuse (Triple-A) where he allowed 12 runs on 18 hits in 14 1/3 innings.

Walker then went to the Arizona Fall League, where he had a lot more success. He allowed only three earned runs over 9 1/3 innings in eight games. He also struck out 14 batters (2.89 ERA, 1.393 WHIP).

Walker, like Zach Muckenhirn and T.J. McFarland, will be battling it out to be the fourth left-handed reliever on the Mets behind Joey Lucchesi, David Peterson, and Brooks Raley. It is unlikely that he breaks camp with the Mets, but if injuries pile up this season, Walker is on the short list to get a shot in the majors.

Interestingly enough, Walker actually kicked off the Mets’ spring training slate of games last season. So, it was clear then that New York wanted to get an extended look at him. For this reason, it should be expected that he will get a similar look this season.