HOUSTON (AP) — Top prospect Taijuan Walker will make his major league debut for Seattle on Friday at Houston, taking on the Astros less than three weeks after turning 21.
It’s quite the impressive feat for Walker, who was selected in the first round of the 2010 draft. But the talented right-hander is bit behind the pace of teammate Felix Hernandez, who pitched in his first major league game at age 19.
Walker, who started the season at Double-A Jackson before being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma, got a welcome and a hug from Hernandez on Thursday. Hernandez hadn’t had time to chat with Walker yet, but having been in his shoes, the ace said he would be happy to give him advice if asks for it.
Walker says he knows he’ll be nervous in the first inning, but hopes he calms down after that.
