Taijuan Walker excited to pitch for Phillies

This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki’s Phillies Beat newsletter, with Paul Casella filling in this week. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PHILADELPHIA — When the Phillies introduced newcomer Taijuan Walker at Citizens Bank Park on Friday, one thing was abundantly clear: He’s excited to be a Phillie.

And why wouldn’t he be?

Walker is not only joining the reigning National League champions, but he’s also going from a pitching staff headlined by Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom to another incredible rotation featuring Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez.

As if that wasn’t reason enough to get excited, Walker gets to pitch to All-MLB First Team catcher J.T. Realmuto. He’ll be backed by an offense that includes Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins, Realmuto and Nick Castellanos, among others.

The list goes on and on, but here are some of the key reasons Walker is eager to get his Phillies tenure started.

1. Pitching to the BCIB
Both Walker and his agent, Scott Boras, mentioned the opportunity to pitch to Realmuto was one of the perks to signing with the Phillies. While Boras called Realmuto “pretty doggone good,” Walker took it a step further.

“Having J.T. behind the plate, him being the best catcher in the game right now,” Walker said, “that’s going to be helpful for me.”

2. Offensive support
Of the 62 pitchers who logged at least 150 innings last season, only 15 received less run support than Walker. The right-hander is confident that won’t be a problem in 2023 pitching in front of a potent Phillies’ lineup that averaged 4.6 runs per game and teed off for 205 homers last season.

And who would know better than Walker, who faced the Phils in each of his first three starts last season — and made nine starts against them over the past two seasons. Only Sandy Alcantara and Charlie Morton (10 starts apiece) faced Philadelphia more during that span.

“To go out there and pitch knowing that the offense is going to score four or five runs for me every time I’m out there,” Walker said, “that gives me more confidence to just go out there and be aggressive on the mound and attack hitters.”

3. Playing in Philly
Trea Turner mentioned watching the electric postseason atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park as a reason for signing his massive 11-year deal with the club earlier this offseason. Those October (and November) games in Philadelphia also caught Walker’s attention.

Oh, and a certain franchise legend passed along some positive feedback, as well.

“I heard nothing but good things about the fans here in Philadelphia, how passionate they are,” Walker said. “I talked to Ryan Howard a few days ago, and he was telling me that playing in the playoffs here in Philly is the loudest he’s ever heard a stadium. For me, that’s exciting.

“Having a fan base that’s so passionate and cares so much about the team and who shows up every day…