2024 could be the year that Christian Walker finally gets his recognition as an All-Star. An injury to Bryce Harper may open the way for the Diamondbacks’ first baseman, depending on where he lands in the player vote.
Harper was named an All-Star after leading all National League players in the fan vote. However, at the end of the Phillies’ 7-4 loss to the Marlins, Harper suffered a hamstring injury running down to first base. With the All-Star Game just two weeks away, it’s very possible he’ll miss the game itself.
Should Harper miss the All-Star game, what will happen is based on the player and fan vote. Freddie Freeman was the second-leading vote-getter at the position and was likely to be named the backup anyway. The player who replaces Harper on the roster will come down who was next in the votes. He faces tough competition from Matt Olson, Pete Alonso, and LaMonte Wade Jr. as potential All-Star candidates at first base in the National League.
Since joining the Diamondbacks in 2017, and becoming their everyday first baseman two years later. Walker has served as a great example for the young players. He’s always one of the first players on the field and taking ground balls despite already winning two Gold Glove awards at the position, and well on his way to a third. He has a swing and a very good idea of what he needs to do at the plate.
In 2024, he’s batting .252 with 17 home runs, 50 RBI, .797 OPS, and a 1.9 bWAR. That WAR total ranks third amongst first basemen in the National League, slightly ahead of Olson (1.7) and Michael Busch (1.8).
Ketel Marte is likely to be named the starter at second base, entering Phase 2 of the fan voting with the lead over the Padres’ Luis Arráez. Walker’s merits for making the All-Star team were already discussed a couple weeks ago, but he also represents the Diamondbacks’ best chance of sending multiple players to the game.
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