The Athletic doesn’t list Jordan Walker as St. Louis Cardinals’ top prospect

The Athletic didn’t list Jordan Walker as St. Louis Cardinals’ top prospect, but he’s No. 2 and his upside once he debuts is tantalizing.

At this point, it’s a surprise when Jordan Walker isn’t ranked as the St. Louis Cardinals top prospect. But in Keith Law of The Athletic’s latest prospect rankings, he listed Nolan Gorman as the team’s No. 1 prospect, and the No. 17 overall prospect in baseball.

Walker, however, was not far behind. After being unranked last year, Walker is now the Cardinals’ No. 2 prospect, and the No. 30 overall prospect in baseball, with Law saying that his debut was “by far one of the most impressive” – and surprising – while calling his hitting tools a relative known at this point.

That’s to be expected from Walker, who is a 21-year-old former first round pick in 2020. He hasn’t played a game above Single-A and is still growing into his body – and the player – that scouts believe has the potential to be an annual All-Star. Here’s more from Law:

“He’s already shown the ability to make adjustments at the plate in-season, although pitchers at the higher level were able to get him to chase more often, even when he was doing more damage when he did make contact. … He has 30/30 upside with 55 defense in right field and mid-.300s OBPs, which would make him at least an above-average regular who has some All-Star seasons.”

That would be a huge win for the Cardinals and if Nolan Arenado does not opt out of his contract, could give them five players – Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Tyler O’Neill, Nolan Gorman and Walker – all capable of hitting 30+ home runs. It would make their lineup arguably the most fierce in MLB and not only set them up for short-term success, but in the long-term as well.

The Cardinals remain insistent on not setting expectations for Walker – they don’t want to put too much pressure on him – but his debut in 2023 will be among the most hyped and anticipated in recent team history.