Brandon Walter #34

Graduated from Hodgson Vocational Technical High School (Newark, Del.) in 2015, where he was a first-team All-Star pick as a junior and senior...Went 23-3 with a 0.83 ERA in his high school career, also finishing with Delaware's state record for career strikeouts (333)…Was undrafted out of high school and went on to spend four seasons at the University of Delaware...Made just nine starts his sophomore season in 2017 before undergoing Tommy John surgery and subsequently missing the entire 2018 season...Returned in 2019 and posted a 3.86 ERA through 14 starts, also becoming the fourth player in program history to log 100-plus strikeouts in a single season (106)…Finished his UD career fourth all-time in program history with 252 career strikeouts...Was drafted by the Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, a round that no longer exists in the current 20-round MLB First-Year Player Draft...Became the second player born in Delaware to appear for the Boston franchise when he made his MLB debut in 2023, joining RHP George Prentiss, who pitched in the franchise’s first two seasons (1901-02)…Was named the winner of the 2023 Lou Gorman Award, "given annually to a Red Sox Minor Leaguer who has demonstrated dedication and perseverance in overcoming obstacles while working his way to the Major League team."...Became just the fourth pitcher in Red Sox history to toss six-plus innings in relief in their Major League debut (June 22, 2023, at MIN)…Coincidentally, the last pitcher in the Majors to toss six-plus innings in relief in their big league debut was Astros lefty Kent Emmanuel, who pitched 8.2 innings in relief in his debut on April 24, 2021 vs. the Angels...Was a consistent contributor to Red Sox community initiatives...As part of the club's 2023 Rookie Development program, he visited patients at Boston Children’s Hospital and helped host a Play Ball clinic with the Red Sox Foundation...Also took part in the Red Sox Holiday Caravan in December 2023, participating in visits to Boston-area hospitals, food banks and Boys & Girls Clubs...Signed a Minor League contract with the Astros on Aug. 16, 2024, and is under a Minor League contract with the club this season...Is set to participate in his third consecutive Major League Spring Training.

2024

Did not make a regular-season appearance at the Minor League or Major League level due to a left shoulder injury...Made two appearances for Boston in MLB Spring Training before being optioned to Triple-A Worcester and placed on the 7-day IL on March 29...Was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on July 30 and released on Aug. 2...Signed a Minor League contract with Houston on Aug. 16.

2023

Made his MLB debut, posting a 6.26 ERA (16 ER/23.0 IP) in nine games (all in relief) over five stints with BOS...Became the first Red Sox pitcher in 79 years to throw 6.0+ innings of relief in an MLB debut...Threw more than 1.0 inning in six of his nine appearances for BOS band 3.0+ innings four times...Pitched primarily for Triple-A Worcester...Posted a 4.60 ERA (48 ER/94.0 IP) in 21 outings (18 starts)...In his final eight Minor League outings (beginning 6/30), went 2-0 with a 1.39 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and .198 opponent AVG (32.1 IP, 5 ER, 23 H, 9 BB, 24 SO).

2022

Began the season with Double-A Portland and was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Month for April, posting a 1.17 ERA (3 ER/23.0 IP) with 29 SO and 0 BB in four starts over the month. Recognized by the Red Sox as the organization’s Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Month for April. Allowed 1 or 0 runs in four of his first five starts. Allowed just one hit over 5.0 scoreless innings with seven SO in his first Double-A start on 4/10 vs. New Hampshire...Over his first five starts of the season, from 4/10-5/5, posted a 0.93 ERA and 0.62 WHIP with 39 SO and 1 BB (29.0 IP, 17 H, 3 R). On 5/20 vs. Harrisburg-G2, set season highs in strikeouts (11) and innings pitched (7.0), allowing just one run and four hits...Also threw 7.0 innings and allowed 1 hit on 5/26 vs. Somerset (R, 8 SO, HB). Promoted to Worcester on 5/31...Made his Triple-A debut on 6/2 vs. Syracuse (1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, BB, 2 SO, HB). Allowed one run over 6.0 IP in his second Triple-A start, 6/8 at Buffalo-G1 (4 H, 3 BB, 5 SO). Placed on the Minor League injured list on 6/24 (retro to 6/23) with a neck strain and did not pitch for the remainder of the season.