CHRISTIAN WALKER: Feeling Right at Home in Reno

Hailing from Norristown, Pennsylvania, approximately 2,700 miles from Greater Nevada Field, Walker hasn't spent much time on the western side of the states but, in his opinion, it feels right at home to be playing baseball in Reno. "I am excited to be in Reno," said Walker. "There is a different feeling stepping up to the plate here; knowing that you can put a good swing on it, do something you are supposed to do and still get a good result adds that confidence, and for me, that is what hitting is all about - to have that confidence up at the plate."

In the opening week of his first season in the Pacific Coast League, Walker put up out-of-this-world numbers against Fresno, Albuquerque and El Paso. The 26-year-old hit .348 (16-for-46) with 16 RBI, 12 runs scored, four home runs, four doubles and four walks. He hit safely in nine of the eleven games played, adding an RBI in nine of eleven as well.
As a result, the 2012 fourth round draft pick by Baltimore was awarded with the first Pacific Coast League "Player of the Week" award in 2017 for the period of April 6 - April 16, marking the seventh of his professional career, while leading various offensive categories among the league's best.
Fact is, numbers don't lie. However, the road to success is where the story in Reno begins for Walker.
Designated for assignment on Feb. 21 by the Orioles - the organization that picked him in the fourth round of the 2012 Draft, Walker was claimed off waivers by the Braves on Feb. 25, then the Reds on March 6 and finally the Diamondbacks on March 28.
"I reported with Orioles for Spring Training, and was there right up until before games started," explained Walker. "The depth at my position is pretty serious with Baltimore, and they needed some open roster spots, so that is when the Braves claimed me."
After one week since reporting to Orlando as he was relaxing on an off-day, Walker got a phone call explaining that he got claimed by Reds, and at this point, he was not aware that he was on waivers. He spent the next couple of weeks in Arizona at Spring training, spending a little over a week at big league camp, but eventually, was optioned to minor league camp. That is when he realized once again that the move didn't end there, less than a week before regular season was scheduled to start.
"I assumed I was going to be in Louisville to start the season. Then, a few days later - again, I didn't know I was on waivers - and in the middle of a workout, I got called in and was notified that I was claimed by the D-backs."
As absurd as the path to getting settled was for him, Walker stayed optimistic, knowing that his hard work would place him in the right hands. "I had a good feeling that someone would claim me given my age and the nature of the business," Walker discussed. "It was a crazy experience partially experiencing other teams since I was used to being with Baltimore my whole career. I think it was a good thing for me knowing I can fit in any situation with any team."
Prior to his professional career, Walker was a stand-out high school player back in his home town at Kennedy-Kendrick, where he hit .588 his senior season, was named to 2009 Philadelphia Inquirer All-S.E. Pennsylvania team, rated No. 1 best high school player in the state of Pennsylvania, and won the 2009 International Power Showcase High School Home Run Derby at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida against rising star and current Washington Nationals' outfielder, Bryce Harper.
"You grow up watching home run derby's, and being a part of something like that was one of the greatest experiences. It was exciting to size yourself up against kids that you haven't the chance to otherwise, such as Harper, being from the other side of the country. It felt good to win against guys who were getting some serious media attention at the time."
After declining as the Dodgers' 49th-round draft pick out of high school, he spent three seasons with the University of South Carolina, starting as the squad's third baseman as a freshman, but making the shift to first base halfway through his first year. In 2011, he became a College World Series Champion and was named to USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. The following season, in 2012, South Carolina ended as College World Series runner ups where Walker was named First-Team All SEC before being drafted.
As hot of a start Walker has got off to, based on his career statistics, this run sure isn't a fluke. He owns four All-Star bids and four-consecutive seasons as MiLB.com Organization All-Star in his four full seasons with Baltimore.
"I am really excited to be here with a fresh opportunity and change of scenery. It feels good to be wanted and I looking to keep the good things going."