ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs’ Christian Walker ‘a little bit ahead’ of Yasmany Tomas

Jul 1, 2018, 12:13 PM

(AP Photo/Matt York)...

(AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

PHOENIX – On the surface, the move made sense according to Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo.

With a day game after a night game and the opposition throwing a left-hander on the mound, Christian Walker found his name in the starting lineup. But not at first base, where he had started eight times in 11 career games covering four big-league seasons. Instead, Walker was playing left field, a position still relatively new.

In fact, Sunday against San Francisco marked Walker’s first-ever outfield start in the majors.

“I mean the poor guy plays the same positions as one of the best players in the world, right?” Lovullo said, referring to Paul Goldschmidt. “So, he is excited about getting more than one pinch-hit at-bat and I’m anxious to see how (him playing the outfield) looks as well.”

A first baseman by trade, the 27-year-old Walker has slowly made the transition to left field.

“We challenged him to do down (to the minors) each time and get some reps down there,” Lovullo said. “Player development did a great job of getting some innings and getting him some work and they signed off on it and said that he was ready to play left field.”

Lovullo added he and general manager Mike Hazen discussed the move a couple of days earlier and, again, with Giants left-hander Derek Holland starting the series-finale, Lovullo felt the time was right “to rotate one of our left-handed hitting outfielders out and give them a day off” and see how Walker looked in left field.

“Those are great stories,” Lovullo continued. “First baseman by trade and he has migrated to a new position and I want to see what that looks like. I’m all about giving guys that type of opportunity. I know he’s worked hard for that.”

Digging deeper, however, is how Walker playing left field — if successful, of course — might mean for the other outfielders within the D-backs organization, namely Yasmany Tomas.

In year four of a six-year, $68.5 million contract, Tomas has spent all season with Triple-A Reno, where he’s played predominantly left field. Over 29 games, including 28 starts, Tomas has committed two errors in 39 defensive chances according to Baseball Reference.

“I have not (seen) Yasmany in quite some time, so I don’t know where he’s at presently. I know what I’ve been reading and hearing from the Triple-A staff,” Lovullo said. “What I’ve been told about Christian Walker is he’s serviceable and average, league average; expect league average type of play out there.”

The numbers, albeit limited, suggest Walker has held his own in left field with Reno. His fielding percentage reads a perfect 1.000 (13 putouts in 13 chances) in 12 games.

“I was told that Christian Walker was a little bit ahead of (Tomas),” Lovullo said.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr....

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks keep good times rolling with 14-run inning, Opening Day rout of Rockies

What the Diamondbacks accomplished in the third inning against the Rockies on Thursday night was completely new for those in the ballpark. 

8 hours ago

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. flips his bat during Arizona Diamondbacks' 2024 Opening Day...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks score 14 runs in a single inning to beat Rockies on Opening Day

The Arizona Diamondbacks set franchise marks with 13 hits and 14 runs in the third inning of their 2024 Opening Day game against the Rockies.

11 hours ago

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.

14 hours 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.

18 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.

19 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.

20 hours ago

D-backs’ Christian Walker ‘a little bit ahead’ of Yasmany Tomas