RADIO
Christian Walker 2023 Outlook: Solid Power Bat with Strong Upside at 1B
2 years agoChristian Walker slashed .242/.327/.477 with 36 HR for Arizona last season, but some fantasy managers might not realize it since he did it as a Diamondback. The power is real as evidenced by his 44.2 FB% and 17.7% HR/FB. His Statcast quality metrics are solid too with 93.8 mph of average airborne exit velocity and an 11.5% rate of Brls/BBE. Unlike most low-average sluggers, Walker only struck out 19.6% of the time last year. He didn't chase bad pitches with a 27.2 O-Swing%, boosted his Z-Contact% to 88.2 from a career mark of 83.5, and shaved more than two full percentage points from his career SwStr% (10.2 vs. 12.5). Instead, a .248 BABIP was responsible for his low average. His .287 career BABIP and .257 xBA both suggest positive regression is in order. Furthermore, the shift ban should favor Walker as he hit .225 in 278 PAs against a traditional shift but .292 in 140 PAs without a shift. Walker also hits cleanup in an Arizona lineup that's stronger than you think, giving him plenty of opportunities to rack up R+RBI. At an ADP of 141.13, Walker represents a tremendous value on draft day.
