Jordan Walden
Encyclopedia
Jordan Walden nicknamed "Waldo", is a right-handed pitcher on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
active roster.
in Mansfield, Texas
, and then Grayson County College
.
, and began his professional career the next season.
Walden pitched for the Orem Owlz
in 2007, going 1–1 with a 3.08 ERA in 15 starts. In 64 1/3 innings, he allowed 49 hits and three home runs while striking out 63 batters. Prior to the 2008 season, Baseball America
named Walden the 81st best prospect in minor league baseball. He split that season between the Cedar Rapids Kernels
(with whom he went 4–6 with a 2.18 ERA in 18 starts) and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
(5–2, 4.04 ERA in nine starts), going a combined 9–8 with a 2.76 ERA in 27 starts. He pitched 156 1/3 innings, allowing 122 hits and seven home runs while striking out 141 batters.
Before the 2009 season, Walden was named the 70th best prospect in baseball. He pitched for the Arkansas Travelers
and went 1–5 with a 5.25 ERA in 13 starts that season. In 2010 he converted to relief pitching, spending 38 games with the Travelers and six games with the Salt Lake City Bees without making a start.
Among the awards he has received while in the minors: California League
Pitcher Of The Week for the week of 8/11/2008 with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
. He also was named Texas League
Mid-season All-Star from the Arkansas Travelers
in 2010.
was clocked at 100.5 MPH, in the 7th inning, in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays
.
When the Angels traded Brian Fuentes
to the Minnesota Twins
, on August 27, 2010, Walden was promoted to the 8th inning setup role.
Walden recorded his first MLB save on September 19, 2010, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Walden was named the Angels full time closer on April 5, 2011.
On July 7, 2011 Walden was selected as an All-Star to replace Mariano Rivera
who had come down with an injury.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
active roster.
Early life
Prior to playing professionally, Walden attended Mansfield High SchoolMansfield High School (Mansfield, Texas)
Mansfield High School is a public secondary school located at 3001 East Broad Street in Mansfield, Texas, United States. Part of the Mansfield Independent School District, the school serves portions of Mansfield and Arlington.- Basic operation :...
in Mansfield, Texas
Mansfield, Texas
Mansfield is a city in Ellis, Johnson, and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 56,368.In 2009, CNN/Money Magazine rated Mansfield as one of the "Best Places to Live" in the United States, ranking 24th out of the top 100 places.-History:The first...
, and then Grayson County College
Grayson County College
Grayson County College is a community college located in Grayson County, Texas. GCC's main campus is located in Denison, with branch campuses in Sherman, Van Alstyne and Bonham ....
.
Minor league career
He was drafted by the Angels in the 12th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
, and began his professional career the next season.
Walden pitched for the Orem Owlz
Orem Owlz
The Orem Owlz are a minor league baseball farm team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball franchise. The team plays in Orem, Utah....
in 2007, going 1–1 with a 3.08 ERA in 15 starts. In 64 1/3 innings, he allowed 49 hits and three home runs while striking out 63 batters. Prior to the 2008 season, Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
named Walden the 81st best prospect in minor league baseball. He split that season between the Cedar Rapids Kernels
Cedar Rapids Kernels
The Cedar Rapids Kernels are a Class A minor league baseball team based in Iowa. It is affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and plays in the Midwest League.-Franchise history:...
(with whom he went 4–6 with a 2.18 ERA in 18 starts) and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
(5–2, 4.04 ERA in nine starts), going a combined 9–8 with a 2.76 ERA in 27 starts. He pitched 156 1/3 innings, allowing 122 hits and seven home runs while striking out 141 batters.
Before the 2009 season, Walden was named the 70th best prospect in baseball. He pitched for the Arkansas Travelers
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
and went 1–5 with a 5.25 ERA in 13 starts that season. In 2010 he converted to relief pitching, spending 38 games with the Travelers and six games with the Salt Lake City Bees without making a start.
Among the awards he has received while in the minors: California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
Pitcher Of The Week for the week of 8/11/2008 with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
. He also was named Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
Mid-season All-Star from the Arkansas Travelers
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
in 2010.
Major league career
He was promoted to the Los Angeles Angels on August 22, 2010, when his contract was purchased from their AAA affiliate, Salt Lake City Bees. On August 24, 2010, Walden's four-seam fastballFour-seam fastball
A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family...
was clocked at 100.5 MPH, in the 7th inning, in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
.
When the Angels traded Brian Fuentes
Brian Fuentes
Brian Christopher Fuentes is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics. Previously, he played for the Seattle Mariners, the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Minnesota Twins...
to the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, on August 27, 2010, Walden was promoted to the 8th inning setup role.
Walden recorded his first MLB save on September 19, 2010, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Walden was named the Angels full time closer on April 5, 2011.
On July 7, 2011 Walden was selected as an All-Star to replace Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
who had come down with an injury.