Through three-plus months, first baseman Christian Walker’s season has been defined by sizzling hot streaks, stretches in which his bat alone has seemed to power the Diamondbacks’ offense. It also has been defined by slumps so severe they have been accompanied by angry outbursts in view of television cameras.
Walker has had to fight his instincts, his inclination to demand perfection from himself. He also had to overcome a feeling that has become embedded in him over the past half-decade, this sense that every night in the majors could be his last.
But after collecting three hits, including a pair of game-changing home runs in an 8-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday, Walker seems assured of entering the All-Star break with impressive numbers.