St. Louis Cardinals top prospect Jordan Walker continues to plow through the minor league system like a rocket headed towards baseball heaven. The 19-year-old, sweet-swinging power hitter has played in exactly 55 minor league games, and from the looks of it he won’t be there for much longer.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound MLBbro by way of Stone Mountain, Georgia is batting a ridiculous .327 with three homers and 10 steals this season. His .943 OPS is otherworldly, and the kid doesn’t turn 20 until next Sunday.
Thank you to @Cardinals for selecting me to be a part of your organization. I’m very blessed and excited to become a Cardinal!! Looking forward to playing for such a historically established team. Go Cards!🔴⚪️ https://t.co/uq0S5Wg4Ck
— Jordan Walker (@jwalker0522) June 12, 2020
Walker’s hard work has helped him ascend from the 21st overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft to MLB’s 29th overall prospect. His defense on the hot corner (third base), has improved dramatically. That with his powerful and efficient bat make him a real candidate to be called up to the big league’s sooner than later.
Great play by @Sgf_Cardinals 3B and Cardinals top prospect Jordan Walker to end the top of the 3rd. Diving stop and a great throw to get the runner. Gets up shaking just hand, but batted in the bottom half. pic.twitter.com/CAKRZfuNLw
— Chris Neyenhouse (@NeyenhouseTV) April 9, 2022
Not bad for a kid who just finished high school just over a year ago.
Walker Was Around Cardinals Stars Prior To Minors Assignment
Since being drafted by the Cardinals, Walker has been lucky enough to be at the team’s training facility in Juniper, Florida. There, prior to beginning his minor league assignments he was able to see how All-Stars, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt and Albert Pujols went about their daily routines.
“I just watched how they worked. I don’t even have to talk to them but I just get to watch them play and how they go about their work and how they go about their routine. It shows you what you need to do to get there. Just watching them was truly spectacular.”
Walker Embraced Callup After Dominating Single-A
After dominating Single-A, where the broad-shouldered, slick fielding Walker, batted .317 while playing with Palm Beach and Peoria. Walker got the call up to Double-A. In Single-A he demonstrated some real homerun power, hitting 14 dingers, with some exit velocities reaching the speed of major league power hitters, Juan Soto, Javy Baez and the eclectic Fernando Tatis Jr. The Cardinals felt it was time to move him, to a more challenging level. That power has also translated to the tougher Double-A scene, and is further proof that his power should translate just fine to Triple-A and the majors.
Walker made his Double-A debut in April, and he could hardly taper the excitement of the moment.
“It’s been pretty exciting. Baseball is fun and it’s been my dream to do this ever since I started playing at four years old. All I can say is that the excitement is here and I’m ready to get going.”
When it comes to performing on the field, Walker is taking it all in stride. He understands the ups, downs and intricacies of baseball and as you move up the ladder it gets harder and harder to succeed because your strengths and weaknesses are studied like a mathematical equation.
“There’s still a lot of things to work on for sure,” Walker said. “All in all, I’m pretty happy with where I am right now.”
The projection was for Walker to make his MLB debut in 2024, but if he keeps playing this way it could be sooner.
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