Ryan Walker #74

Met his now wife, Alexis, while at Washington State. Alexis was a psychology major born and raised in San Francisco. At WSU, she was a star volleyball player who left WSU first in career digs (2,152), second in digs per set (4.26) and 10th in service ace (39). They were married on Sept. 25, 2021...Ryan and Alexis welcomed their first child last August, a girl named Rylie. The couple makes their offseason home in Arizona...When Ryan is in San Francisco during the season he stays with Alexis’ parents...During the 2020 shutdown, Walker wasn’t sure if the Giants would cut him loose. He got a job as a locksmith, working 10 hours a day “because I had nothing else to do and wanted to make as much money as I could”. It also turned out he really liked locksmithing,,,He also was able to focus on what he needed to do in baseball. He found a former Giants trainer to train him for free. He got up at 5 a.m. to drive to the gym 45 minutes away. After the workouts he’d go to his locksmith gig. He ended up gaining an extra 5 mph of velocity that offseason...At Washington State, thrived during his first two seasons on campus, posting ERAs of 2.72 and 2.40 his first two seasons...Regressed his junior year after being moved into the starting rotation where he posted a 5.67 ERA. Walker saw his velocity dip as a starter so they moved him back to the bullpen for his final 12 outings...As a senior, Walker led the team in appearances (23) all out of the bullpen and had a 3.98 ERA...Finished his Cougars career with 87 appearances, second-most in school history. His 13 relief wins are tied for first in school history.

2023

Started the year at Triple-A Sacramento and appeared in 15 games with the River Cats before having his contract selected on May 19...His 0.89 ERA (2er, 20.1ip) with Sacramento prior to his promotion was tops in the Giants organization (min. 20.0ip)...had a 31.1% strikeout rate...Made his MLB debut on May 21 vs. Miami...earned the win as he tossed 1.0-scoreless inning...Appeared out of the ‘pen in each of his first 11 games, but took over the role of opener on June 19 after RHP John Brebbia landed on the IL. Started 13 games for SF and had a 2.21 ERA (5er, 20.1ip) with 32 strikeouts (14.16 K/9ip)...the Giants won each of his first seven starts...Posted a 5-2 record and 3.73 ERA in 36 relief outings...Was on the Paternity List from Aug. 19-22 as he and his wife, Alexis, welcomed their first child — a girl name Rylie...Notched first career save on Aug. 23 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia...His 26.4% opposing hard hit rate was fifth-best in the Majors...Walker’s 11.45 K/9ip ratio was the best by a Giants rookie pitcher since 1958 (min. 30.0ip in his rookie season).

2022

Started back at Double-A and made 43 appearances before his first promotion to Triple-A, four years after he’d been drafted.

2021

Returned to the High-A level, this time with SF’s new affiliate in Eugene. Made 40 appearances there before a late season promotion to Double-A Richmond. Spent the last month of the year at Double-A.

2018

Pitched at three levels after being drafted by SF in the 31st round earlier in the year. Walker reached High-A San Jose.