Christian Walker's recent performance with the Astros has sparked optimism for a strong second half of the season. A notable highlight came during a game against the Marlins, where he hit a 417-foot home run off a 95 mph fastball, marking his hardest-hit ball of the year. Walker's OPS rose to .700, a modest improvement reflecting a productive stretch, where he has slashed .306/.363/.514 since July 1. His underlying metrics are also encouraging, showing a significant uptick in exit velocity and a reduction in swing-and-miss rates.

Despite a slow start to the season, Walker emphasized that his improvements stemmed from refining his swing mechanics rather than drastic changes. The Astros are looking for a sustained performance boost from him, especially with key players like Yordan Alvarez sidelined. The addition of Carlos Correa and others has also lengthened the lineup, which should benefit Walker as he continues to regain his form in the middle of the order.