Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Impresses in starting role
Rotowire
Walston did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Marlins. He tossed 4.2 scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and a walk and striking out four.
Walston kept the Marlins' bats at bay and looked sharp in his first MLB start. He struck out a pair in the opening frame and was able to shut down the minimal scoring opportunities against him. Walston also pounded the zone, throwing 46 of his 65 pitches for strikes while garnering eight whiffs on the afternoon. Manager Torey Lovullo has not yet indicated whether Walston will get another start or not. If he does, the 23-year-old lefty would line up to face the Mets in New York this weekend. He now has nine strikeouts over his first 8.1 big league innings.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Called up for first MLB start
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The Diamondbacks recalled Walston from Triple-A Reno ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Marlins in Arizona.
Walston will be making his first MLB start, joining the rotation as a replacement for Slade Cecconi, who was optioned to Reno on Wednesday. A 22-year-old lefty, Walston made his major-league debut earlier this month in long relief before heading back to Reno, with whom he's produced a 4.54 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 35:20 K:BB across 35.2 innings this season.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Confirmed for start Sunday
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Walston will be called up from Triple-A Reno to start Sunday's game against the Marlins, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
He'll step into the rotation spot vacated by Slade Cecconi, who was optioned to Reno earlier in the week. Walston will be making his first MLB start and second MLB appearance Sunday after he was charged with two earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings in a long-relief appearance May 1 against the Dodgers. The 22-year-old lefty has been a member of the rotation for Reno for much of the season, logging a 4.54 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 35:20 K:BB across 35.2 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Likely to start Sunday
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Walston has joined the Diamondbacks' taxi squad and is expected to be called up from Triple-A Reno to start Sunday's game against the Marlins, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
The Diamondbacks haven't officially announced their pitching plans for Sunday, but Walston's presence in the clubhouse suggests that he'll be the choice to either start or work as a bulk reliever in the series finale versus Miami. The 22-year-old southpaw allowed two earned runs in 3.2 innings during his MLB debut May 1 against the Dodgers, and he has since posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across three appearances upon being sent back down to Triple-A.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Back down to Triple-A
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Walston was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
It was a brief stint for Walston, who was recalled by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. He threw for 3.2 innings in Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five. The move corresponds with Arizona acquiring right-hander Matt Bowman from the Twins on Thursday, while Merrill Kelly (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day IL.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Needed for length in loss
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Walston allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings in Wednesday's 8-0 loss to the Dodgers.
Walston, a starter at Triple-A Reno who made his major-league debut Wednesday, was recalled earlier in the day following Tuesday's surprise bullpen effort that left the club in need of a fresh arm. His length was needed immediately, as starter Jordan Montgomery was ambushed by the Dodgers early. Walston navigated around a walk and two hits over three scoreless frames before running into trouble in the seventh inning. That's when the left-hander's shaky command -- three walks including one with the bases loaded -- caught up to him.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Recalled to majors
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Walston was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.
Walston didn't make the cut for Arizona's Opening Day roster, but he will get a chance to play with the team after five years in the minors. The lefty pitcher has logged a 4.79 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 20.2 innings in five games played with the Reno Aces so far this year. The 22-year-old will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game and could work in long relief since he's pitched out of Reno's rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Sent to Triple-A
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The Diamondbacks optioned Walston to Triple-A Reno on Monday.
Walston was dispatched to minor-league camp along with right-handers Slade Cecconi and Corbin Martin after all three pitchers fell short in their bids for spots on Arizona's Opening Day roster. Unlike Cecconi and Martin, Walston has yet to make his MLB debut, but the Diamondbacks saw enough potential in him to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft this winter and add him to their 40-man roster. The 22-year-old southpaw will be returning to Reno, where he posted a 4.52 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 149.1 innings while pitching mostly in hitter-friendly venues in the Pacific Coast League.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Protected from Rule 5 Draft
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The Diamondbacks added Walston to their 40-man roster Tuesday.
Walston spent all of 2023 with Triple-A Reno, posting a 4.52 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 149.1 innings. Teams won't be able to pluck Walston away from Arizona in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, but given his command issues and low strikeout totals, the 22-year-old southpaw has work to do before he can be considered for the major-league roster.
Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Getting crushed in Double-A
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Walston has a 7.12 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 35:17 K:BB through 36.2 innings (eight starts) for Double-A Amarillo.
After Walston dominated in High-A to open the year, there was reason to expect more than this following his promotion in early May. The southpaw has given up 53 hits, including seven home runs, across those 36.2 frames since his promotion. That said, he's still a few days shy of his 21st birthday, and Walston struggled some after being promoted to High-A last year before coming back stronger in 2022, so he may just need some adjustment time.
Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Makes jump to Double-A
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The Diamondbacks promoted Walston from High-A Hillsboro to Double-A Amarillo on Monday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.
Walston was rewarded with a quick promotion to Double-A after he turned in a 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB across 17.2 innings with Hillsboro. With a strong finish to the 2022 minor-league campaign, Walston could be given a chance to compete for a rotation spot with the Diamondbacks next spring.
Walston was recently promoted from Low-A Visalia to High-A Hillsboro.
Walston was picked 26th overall by Arizona in 2019. He was a member of the club's taxi squad at times last season before starting this season at Visalia. The southpaw posted a 3.32 ERA while striking out 60 across 43.1 Low-A innings and will now look to carry that success with him to the High-A level.
Walston will be on Arizona's taxi squad, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Walston is one of the best pitching prospects in the Diamondbacks' system, but he doesn't turn 19 until later this month and has not yet pitched above short-season ball. He had a 2.45 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 11 innings last year after Arizona selected him with the No. 26 overall pick in the draft.
