Who is Tyler Walker? Ex-MLB pitcher searches for his missing brother and two other family members after Texas floods

The brother of former MLB player Tyler Walker, alongside his family, is one of the many reported missing after the recent Texas floods. Walker's mother, Kathy, confirmed the unfortunate news in a statement made to the Marin Independent Journal on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Per the outlet, Tyler flew over to Texas, searching for his brother, Mark, his sister-in-law, Sara, and nephew, Johnny (who is 14). The family was staying at their vacation home along the Guadalupe River, where the water levels significantly rose in a matter of hours leading to the disaster.

Notably, Tyler and his wife rushed to pick up Mark's daughter, Ellie, 16, who was at a nearby Waldemar Camp and survived the Texas floods. Per the outlet, every summer she attended the camp while her parents and brother stayed at the vacation home called River House.

Tyler Walker is best known for playing for the San Francisco Giants between 2004 and 2008.

More about Tyler Walker

According to Tyler Lanier Walker's profile on MLB's website, he was born in May 1976 in San Francisco, California. He attended the University High School and later the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley). There, he intially was walk-on catcher. However, showing promise in his freshman year, he earned mound time.

In 1997 (while at UC Berkeley), he began his professional career in 1997 after the New York Mets drafted him for their rookie-level club in the Gulf Coast League (part of Minor League Baseball (MiLB)).

A year later, he played for the Capital City Bombers (Mets affiliate) at the Single-A level in MiLB, per Baseball Reference. He played 34 games with the club, a career high for the athlete, helping them win the South Atlantic League title.

Following stints with clubs like the Binghamton Mets, St. Lucie Mets, and Norfolk Tides, the San Francisco Giants drafted Walker in 2004. The pitcher played eight seasons in the major leagues, spending five with the Giants.

Per MLB, Walker played his final game in November 2010 with the Washington Nationals. He boasts a 23-18 career record with a 4.23 ERA, 34 saves, and 243 strikeouts.

Tyler Walker's mother revealed the vacation home had "crashed and (was) gone" after the Texas floods

During her interview with the Marin Independent Journal from her home in San Rafael, California, Kathy Walker expressed her helplessness at the Texas floods. She revealed that she spoke to her granddaughter, who is "distraught." Kathy added:

"All we can do is wait and pray for a miracle at this point," annding, "She does have support, but not enough — there’s never enough. “In a situation like that — waiting to find out if her dad and mom or brother — it’s just, it’s just dreadful."

Kathy explained that a few of Ellie's friends, who were also at the camp, were with her, offering support. Meanwhile, Tyler, alongside others (who flew in to help with the search), continue looking for Mark and his family.

Kathy also revealed that someone sent her a photo of the remains of the vacation home after the Texas floods. She noted it had "crashed and (was) gone."

It is worth noting that Mark and Sara hail from the Kentfield community in Marin County. Both Ellie and her brother took after their uncle. Per Kathy, Mark had been coaching them in "every sport since they were 6."

According to People, in a press conference on July 7, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who also lives in Marin County, revealed he knew the Walkers. Noting that he was thankful for Ellie's safety, he expressed how "devastating" the Texas floods were.

According to the BBC, the death toll from the Texas floods hit triple digits, with at least 107 casualties. Notably, 94 victims were from Kerr County, of whom 28 were children. Per the publication, at least 180 still remain missing.