Ryan Walker still is awed by the fact that he's the Giants closer.
The 29-year-old pitcher recounted what it was like to get promoted to the top of San Francisco's bullpen.
“It was a dream come true honestly,” Walker said Thursday on KNBR’s “Murph & Markus.” “Never in my career would I have thought I would have become a closer in the big leagues. I just wanted a job, so this is a pretty amazing opportunity and I’m thankful for the team to even trust me to do this. It was pretty crazy, nobody ever wants to see anyone struggle, that sucks.
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“Let me tell you, coming into the ninth inning was a lot different. You really got to learn how to focus and control yourself out there.”
Bob Melvin decided to give Walker a chance as the closer last season after Camilo Doval was optioned to the minor leagues due to his inconsistency. The right-hander never had been in the role before but excelled, posting a 0.92 ERA with 10 saves.
Walker's breakout performace sets up the Giants' bullpen for a potentially dominant 2025 MLB season.
Doval was one of baseball's best closers in 2023, leading the National League in saves, so a return to form would give San Francisco an incredible duo in high-leverage situations late in games. Throw in the ever-steady Tyler Rogers, who led the NL in appearances for a third time with a 2.82 ERA, and you have the makings of an elite-level unit.
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Expect Walker to build upon his promising 2024 campaign and continue to make his dreams into reality.