WooSox pitcher Brandon Walter talks 'Getting back in a groove' following injury last season
Brandon Walter saw his 2022 season get cut short due to a bulging disc in his neck. It started out as a neck strain and turned into more of a back issue along the way to recovery. The injury limited him to only 11 games pitched and 57 innings between AA and AAA. Two starts in, I asked Walter how the body was feeling to start 2023.
“I feel good. It’s really about getting back to pitching shape and getting the reps in.” Walter said. “It’s hard to replicate in spring training what it’s like when the season starts and the numbers count.”
“Getting back in the groove and getting back into the five-day rotation is a big step.” Walter added. “It’s good to go through it a few times and it makes it feel normal the next time around.”
Walter’s first start of the year was one he would like to forget. He threw 3.2 innings, gave up seven hits, five earned runs, and had two walks. The most telling stat of them all from the first start was the one strikeout he had. His ability to miss bats was a cause of concern in the first outing, as well as staying in the strike zone.
The biggest difference between the first and second start?
“Strike throwing.” Walter said. “In the first game I had two walks, but I wasn’t in the zone as much as I typically am and that is out of the norm for me.”
“Big point of emphasis coming into that second game was throwing more strikes and getting ahead of guys and be in the zone more which I was able to do that.” Walter noted.
The second stat line was much better for Walter. He went 5.2 innings pitched, four hits, zero earned runs, one walk, and three strikeouts.
The WooSox locker room has seen Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello, and James Paxton stop by for a rehab assignment. The impact they have on some of the younger guys is telling, and some of them are starting to pick up a thing or two from the veterans.
“It’s good to see how the veterans down here rehabbing go about their business.” Walter said. “I saw it a little bit in spring training. Just watching and learning what they do and maybe pick up something and add it to my game. It’s fun to see those guys work.”
“Even the other guys in the minors like Mata, Murphy, and others have a lot of talent and have done their thing in the minor leagues.” Walter added. “It’s good to see them work and learn from them as much as I can.”
The weather has not been a friend of Walter’s on the days he was the starting pitcher. His first start came in Buffalo on a cold and wet day. His second start was more of the same.
How does Walter deal with the cold weather early in the schedule?
“The air gets really dry and you have to know how to blow on your hands and get that little moisture and just feel the ball.” Walter explained his cold weather pitching techniques. “It’s so different coming from Florida where it’s so humid where the ball feels great in your hand, and your body feels nice and loose because it’s 80-and-90 degree days.”
“Luckily, I’m used to it because I grew up in this climate. I know little things you have to do like taking a little extra time to warm up.” Walter said.
Walter is 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA in his two starts of 9.1 innings pitched. The lefty gets the nod on Saturday as the WooSox look to stop their losing skid.
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