Christian Walker (1B, ARI) - Week 24 Waiver Wire Pickups

Nicklaus Gaut profiles Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker as a waiver wire pickup or add target for Week 24 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season as the hard-hitting first baseman has settled into a steady groove.

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

OWNED IN: 37% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker is heating up in August, just in time for those owners in the playoff hunt. Walker has had a fine showing in his first year as the Diamondbacks starting first baseman, slashing .264/.350/.479 and hitting 25 home runs with 75 runs scored and eight stolen bases. But what Walker really does well is barrel the ball hard and often, posting a 13.3% barrel-rate that's in top-9% of baseball and a 49.4% hard-hit rate that's in the top-4%.

Walker started the season off strong before hitting a major downturn in May, at which point his owners ran for cover. But Walker has actually been quietly good since the middle of June, running a .363 wOBA and 123 wRC+ in his 263 plate-appearances since June 15. And over his last 51 PA, Walker has really turned it on, slashing .319/.373/.553 with three home runs and 10 RBI  since August 24. The Diamondbacks have a full week on tap, facing the New York Mets on the road for four games before coming home to face the Cincinnati Reds for three games. This time of year every home run and stolen base can be the margin of victory, so grab one of the few players who can give you a little of both, without killing your average.