RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 190
CURRENT ADP: ~230 overall
ANALYSIS: While I'm not 100% sure that Walker makes the Opening Day roster, he's going to be up early in the season, and you're going to want him on your roster. Walker is coming off a phenomenal season in Double-A last year with a .306/.388/.510 slash line in 119 games with 31 doubles, 19 home runs, and 22 steals. Those 22 steals aren't a fluke either or boosted by the rules and restrictions in Single-A that elevated stolen base totals. While Walker is a big guy (6'5/220) with big power, there's a sneaky-good speed that also often gets overlooked and undervalued. Don't sleep on his speed.
But of course, the bat is going to lead the way, and I believe this is a bat that could stand out immediately. Walker possesses elite raw power with a 30+ homer upside annually, maybe even flirting with 40 home runs some seasons. He's far from an all-or-nothing slugger, too. Walker has shown that he can hit for average, draw walks at a high clip, and keep the strikeout rate in check as well. I've said multiple times in articles and on The Toolshed podcast that Walker could be 95% of what Julio Rodriguez or Eloy Jimenez is with speed. Those are lofty and exciting, yet realistic and possible outcomes.
Walker is going in the 230 range on average so far in 2023 drafts, and given his blend of ceiling, floor, and proximity, he has a solid chance of providing a MASSIVE ROI this season. Between the time I started and finished this article, Walker went 6/7 with two doubles and two home runs over two games. There was no statcast at this park, but this had to be 115 mph or so off the bat. His ADP is only going to keep rising from here. And if Walker keeps raking, maybe it even pushes too high.
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