HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Astros have signed three-time Gold Glove-winning first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year contract, Astros General Manager Dana Brown announced today. Walker had spent the past eight seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Walker, 33, has been one of the top first basemen in the Major Leagues over the past three seasons. In that span (2022-24), he has won three Gold Glove Awards while averaging 32 home runs and 94 RBI per season. Walker’s 95 home runs and 281 RBI over the past three seasons rank third and fourth, respectively, in the National League among first basemen.
In 2024, Walker hit .251 with 26 home runs and 84 RBI for the Arizona Diamondbacks while posting an .803 OPS. In 2023, he had his best season with 36 doubles and 33 home runs with career highs in RBI (103) and OPS (.830). That season, Walker played a significant role in the Diamondbacks memorable run to winning the NL Pennant. In 2022, he reached a career-high in home runs with 36 while adding 94 RBI.
At first base, Walker’s 33 Defensive Runs Saved over the past three seasons are, by far, the most in the Majors for a first baseman. In 2024, he led all first baseman in both fielding pct. (.998) and Zone Rating (.893), making just two errors in 1,055 total chances.
Walker was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft. After playing parts of two seasons in the Majors with the Orioles (2014-15), he would eventually be claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds in March of 2017 and then traded to the Diamondbacks shortly thereafter. By 2019, Walker became the D-backs starting first baseman, responding with 29 home runs and an .825 OPS that season. For his efforts, he was named the D-backs Rookie of the Year by the Arizona Chapter of the BBWAA.