LOS ANGELES – As a brand new season begins, it’s a cardinal opportunity for Jordan “Sky” Walker to elevate his value on a St Louis team that is looking to improve from last season.
Jordan Walker Hit Sophomore Slump After Great Rookie Season
Walker had a sensational rookie campaign in 2023, having a .276/.342/.445 slashline, with 167 home runs and 51 RBI.
He was poised to fly even higher in 2024, but was hit with a bad sophomore slump, batting .155 over his first 20 games and ended up being demoted to AAA until being recalled in August.
He only played 51 games last season, batting just above the Mendoza line at .201, with five home runs and 20 RBI.
Over the winter, Walker had one big focus on what he can get better with for this upcoming season
“Main focus really was mobility, in the offseason. I felt strong last season but just movement wise I wanted to make myself move a little bit better,” Walker said in an interview during the Cardinals spring training last month. Walker only had one stolen base in 2024.
Jordan Walker More Important With Departure Of Paul Goldschmidt
With the Cardinals having a mediocre 2024 as a whole, just missing out on the postseason, they said goodbye to their six-year first baseman and seven-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt. With him now gone, and star third baseman Nolan Arenado starting to age, it’s a perfect chance for Walker to put 2024 in the past and be a much more valuable asset for the red birds in 2025.
Walker Finding Groove After Spring Training Setback
Even with that opportunity, Walker knows it’s important to not worry about that and just play his game.
“Not putting too much pressure on yourself. I did a better job of that in [20]23, and then next year (2024), I think I did too much…the main thing to help me keep me focused is honestly I play best when I’m not thinking about the game that much.”
During spring training, Walker stepped on a sprinkler while tracking a fly ball, hurting his left knee. He luckily avoided structural damage, but his spring training was limited because of it. He was only active for 12 games and 31 at bats, never really able to get into a proper groove to go into opening day.
In the two games he’s played, he’s 2-for-5, with two walks and has been caught stealing twice. Manager Oliver Marmol gave Walker the day off on Sunday.
With the Cardinals being such a historic franchise with a very passionate fanbase, playing baseball in October is the standard. If the former first-round pick can replicate what he was able to in 2023, then he will have no problem filling in that giant gap that needs to be filled with Goldschmidt gone, but more importantly, help the team get back into the postseason for the first time since 2022.
