News

Walden Gets to the Major Leagues

Former Lancaster closer makes Red Sox Opening Day roster


(Lancaster, Pa., March 28, 2018) - Marcus Walden, the Lancaster Barnstormers closer in 2015, has been placed on the Opening Day roster of the Boston Red Sox, it was announced in Boston yesterday.

It will be the first time in the Major Leagues for Walden, 29. The opportunity comes in his 11th professional season and with his fifth organization.

The Fresno, CA native appeared in 48 games for the Barnstormers in 2015 after joining the club in May. He was 2-4 with 15 saves and a 2.95 ERA. Once settled into the closing role during the Barnstormers’ second-half winning run, Walden set a franchise record by hurling 26 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings of relief.

He signed with the Minnesota Twins the following off-season and split the 2016 campaign between Class AA Chattanooga and Class AAA Rochester. In 42 total appearances, the right-hander was 1-1 with six saves and a 2.40 ERA.

Boston signed him as a minor league free agent last year. He was assigned to Class AAA Pawtucket, posting a 10-6 record and 3.92 ERA in a variety of roles. The performance was enough to earn Walden an invitation to spring training.

He excelled at the Red Sox’s spring training camp in Florida, allowing only one earned run on six hits over 13 innings of work. Walden struck out 15.

In making Boston’s 25-man roster, Walden becomes the 11th player in Barnstormers history to advance to the Major Leagues following his time in Lancaster and the fourth to make his big league debut after playing with the ‘Stormers. Six of those promotions have occurred since the beginning of the 2016 season.

“I couldn’t be happier for Marcus,” said current Lancaster manager Ross Peeples. “He works his tail off, and just goes out there and competes. You can’t help but pull for guys like that.”

Boston opens its 2018 season on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida.

About the Lancaster Barnstormers

The Lancaster Barnstormers have completed their thirteenth season as a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Home games are played at Clipper Magazine Stadium in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Please call 717.509.HITS (4487) or visit www.lancasterbarnstormers.com for more information.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.

For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

 

###



Search Archive »




Browse by Year »

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

Browse by Month »

March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015