ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

MLB.com: D-backs’ Lopez, Walker are under-the-radar rookies

Apr 24, 2019, 4:00 PM | Updated: Apr 25, 2019, 2:07 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) follows through on a solo-home run in the ninth inning ...

Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) follows through on a solo-home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, April 16, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Since the start of the MLB season, most of the attention when it comes to rookies has been turned toward players like the San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. and the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, and rightfully so.

With that being said, there are undoubtedly a number of other rookies who have gotten off to surprisingly hot starts to the season but have been overlooked.

MLB.com’s Richard Justice included Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoan Lopez and first baseman Christian Walker in his eight under-the-radar rookies that have caught his attention.

Lopez, 26, made his major league debut with the D-backs in 2018 before being sent back down to Double-A, where he spent the remainder of the season.

His fastball sits consistently at 96 mph and is made even better by a hard slider that is also a quality pitch. Lopez has been effective enough that manager Torey Lovullo has shifted him from a middle-inning role at the beginning of the season to the seventh and eighth innings in five of his last six appearances.

In his 12 appearances this season, Lopez has posted an incredible 0.96 ERA with eight strikeouts.

Back in January 2015, the D-backs gave Lopez a record-setting $8.27 million bonus when they signed the right-hander out of Cuba.

As for Walker, the D-backs first baseman has waited a long time for an everyday role in the major leagues.

He turned 28 last month, so he doesn’t really qualify as a kid anymore, but he maintains his rookie status despite debuting all the way back in 2014 with Baltimore. When Paul Goldschmidt was traded to the Cardinals, he finally had an opportunity to play and has made the most of his chance.

Walker, the once top prospect of the Baltimore Orioles, has made himself into a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the D-backs order.

The 28-year-old currently leads the team in home runs (7), batting average (.329), OPS (1.077) and slugging percentage (.684).

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

1 hour ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

4 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

6 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

7 hours ago

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

7 hours ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

8 hours ago

MLB.com: D-backs’ Lopez, Walker are under-the-radar rookies