The Phillies are short on right-handed-hitting outfielders. Could this be the year that Brandon Marsh finally gets a run of playing time against lefties? And is Taijuan Walker's resurgence for real?

There is enough evidence, even halfway through spring training, to suggest that Walker is a different pitcher from last year's poor version.

A year ago, Taijuan Walker could barely reach 90 miles per hour with his fastball. In his first spring start of 2024, only three of his pitches eclipsed that marker — 90.2, 90.2, 90.3 — with the remainder of his fastballs landing in the high 80s.

Taijuan Walker was mostly solid in his spring training debut, giving the Philadelphia Phillies an easy excuse to roster him on Opening Day.