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2014 Washington Gameday HQ

ERA, but you can obviously see where the Yankees have expectations for so much more. Tanaka had a low-90s fastball, along with a mid-80s splitter and slider, but it is his ability to mix and match to keep hitters off balance—even with an occasional curveball throw in—which makes the right-hander with the consistent, pitch-disguising arm motion so dangerous on any continent. His age, 25, belies his wisdom. As GM Brian Cashman has said, His transition has been seamless. If anything, Tanaka has been his own worst critic. While others were ecstatic about his spring-training performances, Tanaka spoke of needing to clean things up: too many pitches per inning; allowing a walk with two outs on two separate occasions; missing spots on the plate as the inning progresses. He really does obsess about throwing strikes. Apparently, it is that quest for perfection that made him a 30-0 pitcher last season in Japan. For now, the 6-2, 205-pound Tanaka projects to be the Yankees’ third pitcher in the starting rotation, following C.C. Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda. He also will be in good hands all season with catcher Brian McCann behind the plate. AL EAST DIVISION NOTABLES: Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox SS; Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles RP; Jake Odorizzi, Tampa Bay Rays P; Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays P. AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST Taijuan Walker, Seattle Mariners Pitcher Taijuan Walker did not start pitching until his senior year of high school, but the converted prep shortstop rapidly progressed up the Seattle Mariners’ system after being selected 43rd in the 2010 draft. Since that time, Walker impressed many in a short amount of time, even making his major-league debut days only weeks after his 21st birthday in August 2013 (he was the fourth-youngest player in the American League in 2013). In Walker’s short Seattle call-up last season, the 6-4, 230-pounder pitched three games for 15 innings, struck out 12, went 1-0 and posted a 3.60 ERA and 1.000 WHIP. His 1-2 punch is a mid-90s fastball along with a low- 90s cutter. In 371 career minor-league innings, he struck out 400 batters. So when he went down with a shoulder bursitis ailment in late February, there was cause for concern. After all, Walker had worked himself up to baseball’s No. 6 prospect on MLB.com and many were hoping for a breakout year. However, after two weeks of rest and recovery and rehab, Walker was back on the mound in mid-March, slowly working himself back into 90 mile-per-hour shape. Because of the setback, Walker did not pitch in spring training and may not be in the original five-man rotation. That said, Walker is still a rookie the rest of baseball needs to keep an eye on in 2014. Where (and when) he fits into the Mariners’ pitching staff remains to be seen. AL WEST DIVISION NOTABLES: Michael Choice, Texas Rangers OF; Nick Maronde, Los Angeles Angels RP; Max Muncy, Oakland A’s 1B; Jonathan Singleton, Houston Astros 1B. Walker


2014 Washington Gameday HQ
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