Christian Walker Happy with Lineup Additions Plus Goals for Season

Christian Walker is set up to return as the Arizona Diamondbacks' first baseman for the 2024 season. He's seeking his third straight season with at least 30 home runs, 90 RBI, and a Gold Glove. Walker is a team and clubhouse leader who has become a fan favorite. The 33-year-old is entering his last season of club control. This could set the stage for Walker to have a strong platform season as he searches for his first big payday in MLB or to get the D-backs to extend him. Still, he focuses most on winning and helping the club return to the playoffs. That's why he is happy that the Diamondbacks went out and added a lot of key players to their roster in the offseason.

On the D-backs additions of Grichuk, Suárez, and Pederson, Walker said "It's exciting. It's cool to feel the dynamic of the team stay the same but evolve a little bit...bring a little bit of thump back into the lineup."

Walker is pleased that the team now has lineup protection for both him and other hitters. While statistics say that lineup protection doesn't exist, players say otherwise. Maybe it's psychological, but it's hard to argue against what players think and feel. Plus, it's been well-documented that a lot of players do better when there are added power/hitting threats to the lineup.

Walker especially likes that they "added protection" because "adding players that are a threat makes teams pick who they want to attack, and when you can string together four, five, six really good hitters in a row, it makes it really hard on teams."

The Diamondbacks played with a lot of speed last year and will again this year. However, there were growing pains for Walker to adapt to when having to decide whether to swing or let the player steal a base. This year, Walker will have a couple more power threats surrounding him, allowing him to relax more. However, it will be another change that will take some getting used to.

"I think we're going to have to learn that. We got a taste of the speed last year. I have a feeling when Corbin's going to try to take a base...we need to learn each other. We need to learn trends and patterns. I think knowing when it makes sense to take a base or I'm okay taking a pitch and hitting with one strike...maybe we need to stay on base here and maybe play for a three-run homer... That's another beauty of Spring Training is learning the dynamics of the teammates and understanding as a team how we are going to navigate all these weapons."

The added protection for Walker and the Diamondbacks as a whole will only help the team. Too often, it seemed like the pressure to drive in runs was squarely on the shoulders of Walker or Lourdes Gurriel Jr.. While they were quite successful, the team too often fell flat when those two couldn't get it done. Now, with proven run producers in Joc Pederson and Eugenio Suárez, the team has doubled their ability to consistently drive in runs at any time. 

Plus, teams will not be able to essentially pitch around Walker as they will have nearly as good a power threat behind him. This lengthens the D-backs lineup tremendously and gives them the ability to put pressure from the batter's box in nearly every at-bat, regardless if anyone is on base.

Christian Walker on His Goals for 2024

Christian Walker stole a career-high and surprising 11 bases last season. For a player with not a lot of speed, he knew exactly when to use it and put it to great success. So, of course, he "wants to get as many as I can" in 2024. "It's not necessarily a part of my game on the surface, but I think there's a chance to get some sneaky bags and get myself into scoring position."

He's pursuing his third Gold Glove in a row and for his career. MLB Network's No. 58 player in baseball is by far the best defender at first base in MLB. Since 2019, Walker's Outs Above Average is at a staggering 45 with the second closest being Paul Goldschmidt with 14. 

According to Walker, on getting a third Gold Glove, "That's the goal, that's the dream. For me, defense is something that I feel like I can control every day. Offense, I work really hard at it and I stay disciplined, but a lot of it is out of our control. Defense to me feels very much effort-based. I'm just going to do everything in my power to be prepared every day."

Last season, Christian Walker did finish with 33 homers and 103 RBI, with numerous career highs in stats. But, it wasn't the definition of a consistent season. In April, he hit .248. May was .237, while June was a blistering .347. He fell off a cliff in July with a .205 average, followed by a strong .302 in August. He finished the season with a .202 clip in September. 

"My sights are on consistency. I'm just going to get to a place with my swing and my load that's very repeatable. I'm proud of the season I had last year but there's a ton of room for improvement on consistency."

Christian Walker on the D-backs spending this offseason when many other teams didn't.  "It's exciting, I think when you win, you get the opportunity to do that... If we want to continue to go out and get better players... we need to win...We owe this ourselves... this fanbase." Walker gave props and respect to D-backs Owner Ken Kendrick for following up on his word from after the playoffs that the D-backs were going to spend money this offseason and reinvest in the team.

Inside the Diamondbacks wishes good luck to the always hard-working and ever-prepared Christian Walker for the 2024 season.