It’s very easy to overlook Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker. The National League is full of many stars at the position including Freddie Freeman, Matt Olson, Pete Alonso, and more. Despite being overshadowed by other stars, Walker has emerged as one of the best all-around first basemen. He has been a huge part of Arizona’s resurgence after losing 110 games just two years ago. I believe Christian Walker is the most overlooked star in the game today and deserves more recognition.
Christian Has Quietly Become A Star
Embed from Getty ImagesWalker didn’t hit over 50 home runs like Matt Olson, he isn’t an MVP candidate like Freeman, doesn’t possess an absurd amount of power like Pete Alonso, and won’t be winning a batting title. However, Walker has proven that he belongs in the big leagues. Walker won a gold glove last season and should be a repeat winner of the prestigious award this season. This season, he paced the Diamondbacks offense, hitting 33 home runs and 103 RBI with an OPS of .830. This was the same guy who at one point thought about playing overseas for a nice payday.
Going From Journeyman To One Of The Best All Around Players
Embed from Getty ImagesIt hasn’t always been an easy ride for the Diamondbacks star. Originally taken in the fourth round by the Baltimore Orioles, Walker looked like he’d be their future first baseman. However, his growth was stunted when Chris Davis hit 53 home runs and Baltimore decided to lock him up to a seven-year $161 million contract. Now buried in Baltimore’s minor league system, the Orioles would later designate him for assignment in 2017.
After being DFA’d by the Orioles, Walker would spend short periods of time with the Braves and Reds before being picked up by the Diamondbacks. However, Arizona already had a star first baseman in Paul Goldschmidt, it looked like Walker would be released yet again. Walker’s big break occurred in 2018 when the Diamondbacks made the horrible trade of sending Goldschmidt to the Cardinals for prospects. While the trade was a disaster for Arizona, it proved to be a winning lottery ticket for Walker.
Becoming One Of The Best All Around First Basemen
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter Goldschmidt was traded, Walker was supposed to platoon at first base with Jake Lamb. However, Lamb injured his quadriceps seven games into the 2019 season. Walker was now going to be Arizona’s everyday first baseman. Walker took advantage of the opportunity and hit 29 home runs with 73 RBI with an OPS of .825. In the past two years, Walker has hit 66 home runs and driven in 185 RBI. He even won a gold glove last season something that he looks poised to do again. So far in the postseason, Walker is hitting .364 with three RBI and an OPS of 1.045. He’s also scored three times. Walker hit a crucial two-run double in the ninth helping Arizona defeat the favored Brewers in game one of the NL wild card round. The Diamondbacks would eventually sweep the Brewers on the road.
He Can No Longer Be Overlooked
Embed from Getty ImagesIt has been a long journey to stardom for Christian Walker. He’s gone from a player nobody wanted to one of the best all-around first basemen in the game today. Walker’s success in 2023 is a big reason why Arizona is in the postseason just two years after losing 110 games. Despite the Diamondbacks being in the final wild-card spot, Walker’s hot bat has helped them prove the prognosticators wrong. Christian Walker can no longer be overlooked he is too talented of a player to be ignored now. With how good he is both offensively and defensively, it’s time the baseball world gave him the recognition he deserves.
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