Brandon Walter

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Brandon Walter

|image =

|team = Houston Astros

|number = 60

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|9|8}}

|birth_place = New Castle, Delaware, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 22

|debutyear = 2023

|debutteam = Boston Red Sox

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = May 20, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 0–0

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 5.14

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 21

|teams =

Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2023}})
Houston Astros ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

}}

Brandon Lee Walter (born September 8, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox.

Early life and amateur career

Walter grew up in New Castle, Delaware, and attended Hodgson Vo-Tech High School, where he played for the school's baseball team. He finished his high school career with a 23–3 win–loss record and a 0.83 earned run average (ERA).{{cite web|url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/2019/02/14/after-elbow-surgery-walter-returns-delaware-pitching-rotation/2839019002/|title=After elbow surgery, Walter returns to Delaware pitching rotation|work=The News Journal|date=February 14, 2019|access-date=March 22, 2022}}

Walter attended the University of Delaware and played college baseball for the Delaware 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 85 strikeouts.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwaytv3.com/uncw-seahawks-dominate-all-caa-baseball-team/|title=UNCW Seahawks dominate All-CAA baseball team|first=John|last=Rendleman|website=wwaytv3.com|date=May 24, 2016|access-date=March 22, 2022}} Walter tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in the ninth start of his sophomore season, requiring him to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the year and his entire junior season.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/red-sox-lefthander-brandon-walter-enjoys-breakout-2021-season/|title=Red Sox Lefthander Brandon Walter Enjoys Breakout 2021 season|work=Baseball America|date=January 14, 2022|access-date=March 22, 2022}} He returned in 2019 and went 5–6 with a 3.86 ERA while striking out 106 batters over {{frac|86|1|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/2019/06/05/delaware-pitchers-peluse-lawson-and-walter-chosen-mlb-draft-draft/1350348001/|title=Delaware pitchers Peluse, Lawson and Walter chosen in MLB Draft|work=The News Journal|date=June 5, 2019|access-date=March 22, 2022}}

Professional career

=Boston Red Sox=

The Boston Red Sox selected Walter in the 26th round, with the 797th overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/13/sports/brandon-walter-was-26th-round-draft-pick-so-how-did-he-become-one-red-sox-top-pitching-prospects/|title=Brandon Walter was a 26th-round draft pick. So how did he become one of the Red Sox' top pitching prospects?|work=The Boston Globe|date=December 13, 2021|access-date=March 22, 2022}} After signing with the team, he was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, where he posted a 4–1 record and 2.70 ERA with 39 strikeouts in {{fraction|33|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 the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=November 4, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

Walter began the 2021 season with the Low-A Salem Red Sox.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-prospect-brandon-walter-raises-profile-to-win-award|title=Sox 26th-rounder ... to Pitcher of the Year|first=Ian|last=Browne|website=MLB.com|date=December 2, 2021|access-date=March 22, 2022}} He was promoted to the High-A Greenville Drive after posting a 1.45 ERA over 13 appearances.{{cite web|url=https://delawarelive.com/former-hen-walter-turning-things-around-in-high-a/|title=Former Hen Brandon Walter turning things around in High A|first=Patrick|last=Garyantes|website=DelawareLive.com|date=August 4, 2021|access-date=March 22, 2022}} 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 0.97 WHIP, and a .199 batting average against.

Walter began the 2022 season in Double-A with the Portland Sea Dogs.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/where-red-sox-prospects-are-starting-2022-season |title=Here's where Red Sox Top 30 prospects are starting '22 |first=Jim |last=Callis |website=MLB.com |date=April 6, 2022|access-date=June 22, 2023}} In June, he was promoted to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.{{cite news |url=http://news.soxprospects.com/2022/06/cup-of-coffee-walters-worcester-debut.html |title=Cup of Coffee: Walter's Worcester debut a short one, Murphy impresses for Portland |first=Brendan |last=Campbell |website=soxprospects.com |date=June 3, 2022 |accessdate=June 4, 2022}} On November 15, 2022, Walter was added to Boston's 40-man roster.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2022/11 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=November 2022 |accessdate=November 15, 2022}} Walter was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to begin the 2023 season.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Sent to minor-league camp|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-brandon-walter-sent-to-minor-league-camp/amp/|access-date=March 14, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Through 13 games (12 starts), Walter struggled to a 6.28 ERA with 64 strikeouts across {{fraction|61|2|3}} innings pitched.

On June 22, Walter was added to Boston's active roster for the first time.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Called up for MLB debut|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-brandon-walter-called-up-for-mlb-debut/amp/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He made his major-league debut that day, pitching {{frac|6|2|3}} innings in relief, allowing three runs.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brandon-walter-strong-major-league-debut |title=Walter harkens back to 1944 in 20-out relief debut |first=Ian |last=Browne |website=MLB.com |date=June 22, 2023 |accessdate=June 24, 2023}} He was then optioned back to Worcester,{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-brandon-walter-sent-back-to-triple-a/ |title=Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Sent back to Triple-A |website=CBS Sports |date=June 22, 2023 |accessdate=June 24, 2023}} recalled to Boston on July 4,{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-red-sox-announce-roster-moves-for-july-4-2023 |title=Red Sox announce roster moves |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=July 4, 2023 |accessdate=July 4, 2023}} and returned to Worcester on July 24.{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/07/red-sox-roster-moves-boston-reinstates-pablo-reyes-option-2-relief-pitchers.html |title=Red Sox roster moves: Boston reinstates Pablo Reyes, options 2 relief pitchers |first=Lauren |last=Campbell |website=masslive.com |date=July 24, 2023 |accessdate=July 24, 2023}} He was next recalled to Boston on August 9,{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-brandon-walter-summoned-to-majors/ |title=Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Summoned to majors |website=CBS Sports |date=August 9, 2023 |accessdate=August 9, 2023}} and returned to Worcester two days later.{{Cite web|title=Chris Sale activated off injured list for first Red Sox start since June to face off against Tigers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/chris-sale-activated-off-injured-list-for-first-red-sox-start-since-june-to-face-off-against-tigers/amp/|access-date=August 11, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Walter picked up his first MLB save on July 8, 2023, pitching 3 innings in a Red Sox victory over Oakland.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS202307080.shtml Walter spent additional time with the Red Sox during September, when major-league rosters expanded to 28 players.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2023/09 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=September 2023 |accessdate=September 13, 2023}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/26/sports/minor-league-honors-offer-red-sox-chance-reflect-their-developing-homegrown-pitching-pipeline/ |title=Minor league honors offer Red Sox chance to reflect on their developing homegrown pitching pipeline |first=Alex |last=Speier |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=September 26, 2023 |accessdate=September 27, 2023}}

Walter was optioned to Triple-A Worcester prior to the start of the 2024 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/red-sox-make-first-roster-cuts-of-spring-training-sending-down-7-players.html |title=Red Sox make first roster cuts of spring training, sending down 7 players |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |date=March 6, 2024 |accessdate=March 6, 2024}} He did not appear for Boston due to a rotator cuff injury, and was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Lucas Sims on July 30, 2024.{{Cite web|title=After trade, Red Sox DFA injured former top pitching prospect|url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/07/after-trade-red-sox-dfa-injured-former-top-pitching-prospect.html?outputType=amp|access-date=July 30, 2024|website=masslive.com|language=en}} He was released by the Red Sox organization on August 2.{{Cite web|title=Brandon Walter: Becomes free agent|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brandon-walter-becomes-free-agenet/|access-date=August 2, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Houston Astros=

On August 15, 2024, Walter signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.https://www.mlb.com/astros/roster/transactions He began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, posting a 3-1 record and 1.94 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 10 appearances (six starts). On May 20, 2025, the Astros selected Walter's contract, adding him to their active roster.{{Cite web|title=Astros Select Brandon Walter|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/astros-to-select-brandon-walter.html|access-date=May 27, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He made his debut with the Astros that day, which was also his first major league start. In that start, Walter tossed five scoreless innings against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field; however, the Rays rallied for 3–2 win and Walter received a no decision.{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Brian |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brandon-walter-impresses-astros-in-first-mlb-start |title=Weary 'pen unable to finish off Walter's impressive Astros debut |work=MLB.com |date=May 20, 2025 |access-date=May 24, 2025}}