With newfound confidence, SF Giants’ Walker sets sights on closer role

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Call it confidence. Call it swagger. Call it aura. They’re all apt descriptions.

Ryan Walker has been open about his battles with confidence, but his growth in that department has been evident in his walk, his talk. His bullpen sessions reveal a pitcher who prioritized mentality as much as mechanics in the winter.

He’s not in Scottsdale hoping to be the closer, hoping to get the opportunity, hoping to prove he’s worth. He’s here to snatch the job, to plant his flag...