| Brandon Walter | |
|---|---|
| Houston Astros – No. 75 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1996-09-08)September 8, 1996 (age 28) New Castle, Delaware, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 22, 2023, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 6.26 |
| Strikeouts | 16 |
| Teams | |
Brandon Lee Walter (born September 8, 1996) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher in theHouston Astros organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theBoston Red Sox.
Walter grew up inNew Castle, Delaware, and attendedHodgson Vo-Tech High School, where he played for the school's baseball team. He finished his high school career with a 23–3win–loss record and a 0.83earned run average (ERA).[1]
Walter attended theUniversity of Delaware and playedcollege baseball for theDelaware Fightin' Blue Hens. He became the Blue Hens' primary weekend starter as a freshman and was named third team All-Colonial Athletic Association after going 7–3 with a 3.63 ERA and 85strikeouts.[2] Walter tore theulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in the ninth start of his sophomore season, requiring him to undergoTommy John surgery and miss the rest of the year and his entire junior season.[3] He returned in 2019 and went 5–6 with a 3.86 ERA while striking out 106 batters over86+1⁄3innings pitched.[4]
TheBoston Red Sox selected Walter in the 26th round, with the 797th overall selection, of the2019 Major League Baseball draft.[5] After signing with the team, he was assigned to theGulf Coast League Red Sox, where he posted a 4–1 record and 2.70 ERA with 39 strikeouts in33+1⁄3 innings pitched across 13 appearances. Walter did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Walter began the 2021 season with theLow-ASalem Red Sox.[7] He was promoted to theHigh-AGreenville Drive after posting a 1.45 ERA over 13 appearances.[8] Walter made 25 appearances with 14 starts between the two teams and was named the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year after having a 2.92 ERA, a 0.97WHIP, and a .199batting average against.[7]
Walter began the 2022 season inDouble-A with thePortland Sea Dogs.[9] In June, he was promoted to theTriple-AWorcester Red Sox.[10] On November 15, 2022, Walter was added to Boston's40-man roster.[11] Walter was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to begin the 2023 season.[12] Through 13 games (12 starts), Walter struggled to a 6.28 ERA with 64 strikeouts across61+2⁄3 innings pitched.
On June 22, Walter was added to Boston's active roster for the first time.[13] He made his major-league debut that day, pitching6+2⁄3 innings in relief, allowing three runs.[14] He was then optioned back to Worcester,[15] recalled to Boston on July 4,[16] and returned to Worcester on July 24.[17] He was next recalled to Boston on August 9,[18] and returned to Worcester two days later.[19] Walter picked up his first MLB save on July 8, 2023, pitching 3 innings in a Red Sox victory over Oakland.[20] Walter spent additional time with the Red Sox during September, when major-league rosters expanded to 28 players.[21] Walter was named the winner of the Red Sox'Lou Gorman Award for 2023, recognizing a player who exhibited perseverance in overcoming obstacles to reach the major leagues.[22]
Walter was optioned to Triple-A Worcester prior to the start of the 2024 season.[23] He did not appear for Boston due to a rotator cuff injury, and wasdesignated for assignment following the acquisition ofLucas Sims on July 30, 2024.[24] He was released by the Red Sox organization on August 2.[25]
On August 15, 2024, Walter signed a minor league contract with theHouston Astros.[26]
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Lou Gorman Award 2023 | Succeeded by Incumbent |