Walker part of formidable Team Mexico rotation

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Taijuan Walker is sharing a Team Mexico clubhouse in the World Baseball Classic with fellow starting pitchers who, should things go the way certain teams hope, could face Walker in October.

Walker is with the Phillies, the 2022 World Series runners-up. Lefty Julio Urías and the Dodgers wear blue, but Los Angeles is an evergreen championship contender. Righty José Urquidy and the Astros won last year’s Fall Classic. As for lefty Patrick Sandoval, well, hope springs eternal in Angels camp.

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But now is not the time to worry about October. Not when there is a World Baseball Classic to win, and a rotation that can make winning a realistic dream for Mexico.

“We’re teammates right now,” Walker said after pitching two innings (one unearned run on two hits and two walks to go with one strikeout) in Mexico’s 11-1 victory over the Rockies in a Classic exhibition on Thursday afternoon at Salt River Fields.

“Obviously, we’ve got to bond and get that connection. We all know. We’ve been doing it for a long time. But it’s pretty cool that we can come together from different organizations and compete.”

Starters are in early Spring Training mode. Walker noted he is “still building up right now.”

“I worked in more cutters, curveballs and sliders today, since everybody knows my go-to pitch is my splitter,” he said.

But there is quality, not to mention left-right balance that will force opponents to make tough lineup choices, which can be rendered moot when relievers enter.

“Not to say anything about other teams, but I feel very comfortable with our starting pitching,” Mexico manager Benji Gil said. “The only thing is the limit of pitches in the first round. So we’ll be able to combine them with other guys who are potential starters in the big leagues, like Luis Cessa [Reds], Adrián Martínez [Athletics], Javier Assad [Cubs]. So it gives us the ability to go deep into games with two types of starter, instead of just one.”

The rotation won’t sneak up on anyone.

“Obviously with Julio leading it, then you’ve got Sandoval, Urquidy and myself, it’s a really good rotation,” Walker said. “The bullpen’s good and we have a really good lineup. I think we’re going to surprise some people. We can go deep in the tournament.”

The Classic rotation is set for pool play at Chase Field in Phoenix. Urías starts Saturday’s game against Colombia (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX), Sandoval against Team USA on Sunday (10 p.m. on FS1), Walker vs. Great Britain on Tuesday (10 p.m. on FS1) and Urquidy faces Canada on Wednesday (3 p.m. on FS2).

And the games will be far more intense than Thursday’s exhibition.

“They’re all prideful, all excited to represent their heritage, their families, their ancestors -- it just means so much to wear the Mexico jersey,” Gil said. “That’s one thing I’ve tried to communicate to guys -- turn around, look in the stands and say hi to them. It gives you even more pride.”

Walker, 30, was born in Shreveport, La., and selected by the Mariners (No. 43 overall) in the 2010 MLB Draft out of Yucaipa (Calif.) High School. His mother’s side of the family has roots in Mexico. He represents those who are and are not able to watch him help a strong rotation.

“My grandma passed away when I was in, probably, eighth grade, so I didn’t really get a chance to know that side of my family,” Walker said. “So for me, it’s real special to represent my grandma and my mom.”