This dedicated approach has been characteristic of Walker ever since he joined Arizona more than seven years ago. It’s this commitment to practice and improvement that has transformed him, even into his early 30s, into one of the premier all-around first basemen in baseball. His strong performance in the first half of this season, which saw him omitted from the All-Star team on Sunday, sparked some discussion in the Diamondbacks’ clubhouse.
In many ways, Walker’s mindset towards his impending free agency mirrors his work ethic on the field: focused, disciplined, and trusting in the process.
“To be the best player I can be on the field, it’s all about the repetitions for me,” Walker explained. “Every day, I come out here and get lost in the work. People often say, ‘Trust the process,’ and that’s exactly what it is for me. I concentrate each day on what I need to do to prepare myself.”
At 33, Walker finds himself midway through a pivotal season. His performance so far has exceeded expectations.
With 22 home runs and 64 RBIs, he is on track to set career highs of 40 and 115, respectively. Defensively, he continues to excel, providing stability in the heart of the lineup by starting in 88 out of the Diamondbacks’ 90 games so far.
Walker has also maintained consistency at the plate, avoiding extended slumps. Over the past three seasons, he has recorded an OPS under .700 in only three months, alternating those with periods of exceptional performance. Last week’s series at Dodger Stadium, where he hit five home runs in three games, serves as a testament to his ability to heat up when it matters most.
Diamondbacks aim to bring back Walker
Walker is continuing to position himself for a lucrative deal in free agency, and notably, the Diamondbacks seem to be more inclined to keep him, a departure from their previous stance with top free agents in the team’s history.
Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen acknowledged his interest in re-signing Walker, referring to him as a cornerstone player for the team, indicating a potential desire to retain him. When questioned about the financial aspects involved in bringing back Walker, Hazen expressed confidence in the team’s financial flexibility, emphasizing that they will have the capacity to make necessary moves.
Furthermore, Hazen praised Walker’s comprehensive skills, commending his work ethic and approach at the plate and characterizing his performance as the development of a highly skilled hitter. Hazen also emphasized Walker’s influence within the team, describing him as an essential presence in the clubhouse.
Walker’s journey to this point has been unconventional. Initially drafted in the fourth round by Baltimore from South Carolina in 2012, he faced challenges within the Orioles system, notably during the presence of Chris Davis and subsequent stints with the Braves and the Reds before finding his place with the Diamondbacks\
Career has had bumps but Walker’s payday coming
Once again, Walker encountered a situation where he was overshadowed by an established first baseman, this time Paul Goldschmidt. It wasn’t until the year following Goldschmidt’s trade to St. Louis that Walker finally had his breakthrough in 2019. Initially, he shared playing time with Jake Lamb and only gained regular at-bats when Lamb suffered an early-season injury.
Former Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta, now with the San Diego Padres, reflected on Walker’s perseverance in the face of such challenges, noting that despite the obstacles, Walker remained dedicated and focused on improvement, patiently awaiting his opportunity, which eventually came.
Since then, Walker has consistently performed at an above-average level offensively, except for 2021 when an oblique injury impacted his season significantly. Despite the hurdles, at no point during his journey did Walker anticipate progressing this far in his career, approaching free agency with the potential to secure a life-changing contract. He expressed a sense of gratitude for his current position, likening it to “playing with house money, to some extent.”
Walker mentioned that being so close to free agency doesn’t automatically mean he is set on testing the open market. “I’m not approaching this with the intention of inflating my value or maximizing my gains,” he stated. “If an opportunity arises, that’s great, but I’m not aiming to exploit it for all it’s worth or anything like that.” Walker acknowledged his contractual situation and the potential of playing for a different team next year.
He emphasized his commitment to handling the situation the best way he knows how – maintaining his usual work ethic while remaining open-minded about the experience. “I can’t predict what lies ahead,” he continued. “I have a strong affection for Arizona and my teammates, and I cherish every aspect of it. But the reality is that there’s a possibility this could be my last summer playing with these guys, right? I’m just trying to savor every moment from all perspectives, have as much fun as possible, and fully appreciate the moments as they come.”
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