Jordan Walker was supposed to be the cornerstone of the Cardinals’ future. These days, he’s fighting just to keep his spot on the roster.
That’s how far things have fallen in St. Louis. The Cardinals gutted their roster this winter, shipping out Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado as they committed to a full rebuild.
Walker’s still here, but his status isn’t exactly secure.
The organization says they’re not worried about his spring training numbers – they just want to see quality at-bats from their former top prospect. According to MLB.com’s Brian Murphy, Walker’s likely got an outfield spot locked up regardless of how camp goes.
But there’s real pressure building.
“After producing a 68 OPS+ and a 30.7% strikeout rate over his past two seasons (574 plate appearances), there is some pressure on the Cards’ former No. 1 prospect to implement his offseason work — including changes to his swing and setup in the batter’s box — and show that he can be the feared slugger that this lineup sorely lacks.”
Walker burst onto the scene looking like he’d be that feared slugger. His first taste of the majors showcased legitimate power potential. Sure, the defense needed work, but you can live with that if the bat’s special.
Problem is, the bat stopped being special.
Pitchers adapted to Walker’s approach and exploited his weaknesses. He hasn’t adjusted back. The raw power’s still there – when he connects, the ball travels – but those moments are too rare now.
What’s at Stake
The Cardinals spent the winter making it clear they’re prioritizing development over competing. That should, in theory, give Walker room to figure things out without the pressure of immediate results.
But even rebuilding teams have limits. Two seasons of sub-par production from a player who was supposed to be a building block? That’s concerning regardless of the timeline.
Walker’s made changes to his swing mechanics and setup this winter. Whether those adjustments translate to better results will determine if he’s part of the Cardinals’ next competitive window or if the rebuild moves on without him.
For St. Louis to accelerate their turnaround, they need Walker to rediscover what made him such an attractive prospect. Without that breakout, the rebuild gets longer and more complicated.
The talent’s undeniable. The question now is whether Walker can unlock it before the organization’s patience runs out.
