St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Profile: Jordan Walker

jordan walker cardinals — Jordan Walker. Palm Beach Cardinals vs. St. Lucie Mets, May 18, 2021. Photo credit - Ryan Dowd/Blue Leprechaun Photography, Blue Leprechaun Photography on Flickr

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July is an exciting month, with the Futures Game and MLB’s All-Star Game. Let’s now take a look at a possible future addition to both games. Here’s my preview of future St. Louis Cardinals power hitter, Jordan Walker. Walker was ranked #6 overall on my preseason 2021 Cardinals Top 50 Prospects back in January.

Jordan Walker was drafted in 21st overall in the 2020 MLB draft. Walker was having an excellent 2019-20 season for Decatur High School hitting 4 home runs, with a .457 average, and a monstrous 1.555 OPS in 16 games. This led to Walker being named the Georgia Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year. Walker was highly rated as the top corner infield prospect in the high school draft class, and decided to forgo his commitment to Duke University when the Cardinals drafted him in the first round.

At just 19 years old, Walker stands at a towering 6’5″ tall and weighs 220 lbs. His size translates into the massive raw power he’s been displaying most of his baseball career. With his age and timeline to the MLB, his body will fill out and he’s only going to get stronger and more powerful in the coming years. Walker does have some tendencies to swing and miss more often than not, but should develop into a solid hitter. The bat speed is there despite the length of his arms, and he’s improved the bat speed over the last year. As for the speed on the bases, Walker isn’t going to blow you away with a ton of steals. He does have some speed and could definitely take a base or two, but with his size and him most likely bulking up a bit, he will rely on his power.

Jordan Walker may only be 19, but this is a grown man dinger #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/JyR9r5EXDR

— Keanan Lamb (@keananlamb) June 20, 2021

In the field, Walker could stick at 3B, but the future looks more like he will be moving over to 1B, or even into the outfield. With his decent speed and athleticism, Walker could handle a corner outfield spot no problem. He has good arm strength which will get even stronger in the coming years. With his power bat, it’s a must to keep Walker in the lineup as much as possible when he gets to the MLB.

So far this season Walker has been a beast. Starting the season in Palm Beach (Low-A), Walker hit 6 home runs, 21 RBI, 1 SB, and a .374 average in just 99 AB. He got promoted up to Peoria (High-A) at the end of June, and while he hasn’t fared as well, he hasn’t had very many AB (just 46 as of July 20).

Since June 1, 3B Jordan Walker has hit 330/395/580 in 114/100 PA/AB
He’s hit 11 doubles, 1 triple, 4 homers, stolen a base, walked 9.6% of the time, struck out 20.2%. His wRC+ is 157 and mostly at low-A, but while promoted to A+

— Kyle Reis (@kyler416) July 18, 2021

I really like the potential Walker brings. I’m a person who likes the guys that can put the ball in the stands with ease and Walker can definitely do that. Between the addition of Nolan Arenado this season, along with Nolan Gorman, and now Walker, the hot corner is going to be one of the Cardinals’ deepest and best positions for years to come.

If you have deep rosters on your fantasy team and can fit Walker in, I’d do it ASAP. You’ll have to wait a while for him to make it to MLB, but you won’t be disappointed when he does.

Stay tuned to Prospects1500 for my Cardinals midseason Top 50 list which will be out in the coming weeks. Where will Walker be ranked? Who will be the newest additions to the list?

Chris Eros

I am the St. Louis Cardinals correspondent for Prospects1500. Live in Manitoba, Canada. Big sports fan for all sports. Love my Philadelphia Eagles, San Jose Sharks and the Boston Red Sox. Part of Diamond Duos V deep dynasty league. Always free to answer questions, or just chat fantasy sports. Thanks!! Follow me on Twitter at @ChrisEros