CLEARWATER, Fla. — Rob Thomson opened up his session with reporters with quite a line.
“I’m so proud of him.”
He was referring to Taijuan Walker, who threw live batting practice for the first time this spring. He faced Bryson Stott, J.T. Realmuto and Max Kepler and recorded five consecutive strikeouts.
He did not record more than two consecutive strikeouts in a game last year.
“The work that he’s put in, he looks better than he did the year he won 15 games, at this point in time,” Thomson said. “I’m really pleased with him.