The St. Louis Cardinals have been battling all season to gain ground in the National League Wild Card race, but despite their efforts, they’ve struggled to make any significant progress.
The team has a solid mix of veteran leadership and young, developing talent, which gives fans hope for both the present and the future. One of the most promising young players who has been steadily improving as the season has gone on is MLBbro Jordan Walker. The 23-year-old is showcasing signs that he could be a key contributor not just this year, but for years to come, as he grows into his role at the Major League level.
Jordan Walker’s Up-and-Down Career
Walker is still in the early stages of his Major League career, yet he’s already experienced a great deal of transition and adjustment. Originally drafted as a third baseman, Walker has since shifted to the outfield, and this season he’s played exclusively in right field. That positional change has come with its share of growing pains, and those challenges were reflected in his performance during the first half of the 2025 season. Walker struggled at the plate, batting just .210 with only three home runs before the All-Star break. That was a disappointing output, especially considering he showed his power potential last year when he hit 16 home runs in his rookie campaign.
Jordan “Sky” Walker Is Heating Up With 12 Hits & .308 Batting Average In July
However, since the All-Star break, Walker has turned things around. In the second half of the 2025 season, he has raised his batting average significantly, hitting .284 since the break, which has brought his overall season average up to .223. Beyond just the average, his on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS have all seen noticeable improvement in the second half of the year. This uptick in production suggests that he’s beginning to adjust to Major League pitching and is gaining more confidence at the plate.
One of the keys to Walker’s continued development will be finding stability and consistency, both in the field and in the batting order. So far this season, the MLBbro has hit in nearly every spot in the lineup — with the exception of third — but he’s found the most success batting seventh. In that spot, he owns a .306 batting average and has driven in 17 of his 31 RBIs, indicating that the lower part of the order might be where he’s most comfortable for now. Defensively, he’s still learning the nuances of playing right field, but his athleticism and arm strength give him a good foundation.
Walker has also performed better at home than on the road. Three of his four home runs have come at Busch Stadium, and his overall hitting metrics are stronger in home games. Another interesting trend is his success when being aggressive early in the count. He’s batting .381 when swinging at the first pitch and over .400 when hitting with one strike. This shows that when he trusts his instincts and attacks early, he’s at his best.
The MLBbro’s development will be a crucial storyline for the Cardinals down the stretch. As he grows more comfortable, both in the outfield and at the plate, he could become a cornerstone for the franchise — and potentially help them surge in the Wild Card race.
