Atlanta Braves Grab Christian Walker Off The Wire
By Fred Owens
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
Walker had always hit and had a really good eye at the plate. Baltimore’s hitting philosophy however is one of power over contact Their coaching changed Walker’s approach; his average dropped in 2015 as a result.
He finished the year with 18 homers, 33 doubles and a .257/.324/.423/.748 line. That’s a good set of numbers in the majors but this was AAA Major league pitching is a lot tougher than AAA. When the Orioles – disappointed that their machinations failed – signed Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo to fill out their major league roster in 2016.
Last season was a virtual repeat on 2015 for Walker; he hit 18 more homers, 29 doubles and posted a .264/.321/.437/.757 line in Norfolk. As the off-season progressed it looked as if Walker might finally get the call to Baltimore but it didn’t happen. Even though he had an option year left they chose to DFA him giving the Braves a chance to make a claim.
Where Does Walker Fit?
Walker provides a right-handed bat with the threat of power as well as a backup for Freddie Freeman at first. Last season Baltimore began playing Walker in left field as well as first base. He took to it well, playing just 41 games at first and another 90 game in left. Walker will never be a gold glove left fielder but as left fielders go he should okay out there.
Away from the Baltimore hitting philosophy, with a team that values on base and a hitting coach that can help him regain his stroke Walker can have a rebound year. The Braves will take solid contact paired with gap-to-gap power. If Walker can throw in a few doubles with 10 or so home runs he would become the player he was projected to be. That player would also be a valuable bench bat.
That’s A Wrap
I was excited to see Walker suddenly available hoped the Braves could claim him. The problem was getting him through the entire AL and the few teams who finished below us last year.
Apparently no one needed a first baseman (hello Texas) with a minor league option remaining who had a good eye and played solid defense. To those teams I say thank you.
Next: Defense! (clap clap clap) Defense!
Will Walker do what’s necessary to get back on track? I think so. The young man has never backed off his attempts to be what the Orioles wanted him to be. The orioles tried to get a round peg into a square hole by shaving it down until it sort of, nearly, almost fit. Moves like that never produce the expected result.
The Braves have the opportunity to restore him and the time to allow it to happen. Now it’s up to Walker.