The Atlanta Braves claimed Christian Walker off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, providing the Braves with some much-needed depth at first base and in the outfield.
After five seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization, Christian Walker is heading south to Atlanta. The Braves claimed Walker Saturday after the first baseman/outfielder was designated for assignment earlier in the week following the Orioles' acquisition of Richard Bleier.
Walker was never a top prospect, but is certainly someone who still has the potential to leave a positive mark on a major league roster. The Orioles selected him in the fourth round of the 2012 draft out of South Carolina, where Walker was part of two College World Series championship teams.
A first baseman by trade, Walker played 90 games in left field for AAA Norfolk, as the Orioles have Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo in the fold, as well as prospect Trey Mancini in the upper minors. Walker is coming off consecutive similarly solid but unspectacular seasons at Norfolk. In 2015 he hit .257 with 18 home runs and 74 RBI. In 2016 he hit .264 with 18 home runs and 64 RBI.
Walker will turn 26 just before the start of the season. He's too old to be a true prospect, but still young enough not to be written off completely. Just a few years ago he hit .288 with 26 homers and 96 RBI in 139 games between AA and AAA as a 23-year-old.
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Across a few quick cups of coffee in the majors with the Orioles in 2014 and 2015, Walker appeared in 13 games. In 31 largely nondescript plate appearances, Walker slashed .148/.258/.296 with a solo home run.
With a logjam at both first base and the corner outfield positions, the Orioles viewed Walker as expendable. The Braves are well set at these positions as well with Freddie Freeman, Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis, but there is very little depth behind them. Most importantly, the Braves had a 40-man roster spot.
Walker should be given every chance to win a bench role for Atlanta, and his newfound versatility will help him in his efforts. If not, Walker still has an option remaining and could spend some time trying to improve on his AAA numbers in Gwinnett to start the season.
The Braves have had a very active offseason as they continue to try to chase down the Nationals and Mets in the NL East. While moves bolstering the rotation and the second base position have grabbed the headlines, it's these under-the-radar moves that could make as big of an impact this year and beyond.
