Christian Walker's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Arizona Diamondbacks extended a qualifying offer to first baseman Christian Walker this past week and he has two weeks to decide on whether or not to accept it. Should he not, it is reported that there are at least six teams that will "aggressively pursue" the would-be free agent, although most major league clubs would be interested in his services. The Yankees and Mets appear to be the most likely landing spots if he doesn't return to Arizona, as the Yankees will likely need to replace Anthony Rizzo and the Mets will likely need to replace Pete Alonso. With Walker entering the 2025 season at age 34, he's not expected to cost as much as Alonso would, but can bring some good pop with his bat and just earned his third consecutive Gold Glove award.

The Arizona Diamondbacks extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent first baseman Christian Walker on Monday, according to sources. If Walker chooses to reject the offer and signs with another team on the open market, the Diamondbacks would receive draft-pick compensation. Not only is the 33-year-old veteran one of the better first-base bats in baseball, but he also just won a third straight National League Gold Glove at the position. The former fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles out of South Carolina, Walker hit .251/.335/.468 with an .803 OPS, 26 home runs, 84 RBI, two steals and 72 runs scored in 552 plate appearances over 130 games in his eighth year in the desert. It was a slight drop in production from the previous two years, but he did miss some time late in the year due to injury. He has 25-plus homers in each of the last three campaigns.

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. The 33-year-old is back in the mix after going down in late July due to a left oblique strain. Before going down, Walker was in a slump at the plate, but he has put together a fairly strong 2024 campaign as a whole. He's hitting .254/.338/.476 with 23 home runs and 71 RBI in 107 games this season. Walker will bat cleanup and cover first base against left-hander Kyle Harrison on Tuesday. Fantasy managers who have Walker rostered can safely get him back in their lineups.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) did some work at Chase Field before Monday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and might not need another minor-league rehab game. It sounds as though Walker will come off the 10-day injured list and rejoin the team in San Francisco against the division-rival Giants during their upcoming series that starts on Tuesday. It remains to be seen how effective the 33-year-old first baseman will be in his return from a strained left oblique that has kept him out since late July, but the D-backs and fantasy managers could sure use his middle-of-the-order power bat after just dropping three out of four to the Dodgers. Walker will return to a .254/.338/.476 slash line with 23 home runs and 71 RBI for Arizona in 107 games in 2024.

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) took live batting practice before Tuesday's series opener against the visiting New York Mets at Chase Field. Manager Torey Lovullo said Walker could play in simulated games at Salt River Fields in a controlled environment as early as this weekend. The 33-year-old Gold Glover injured his left oblique on July 29 against the Washington Nationals, with an MRI exam taken the next day showing a low-grade strain. Walker should be back to help Arizona and fantasy postseason rosters at some point in early September, but until then, Josh Bell should continue to serve as the club's everyday first baseman.