St. Louis Cardinals: Jordan Walker ranked top prospect, may be promoted

Jordan Walker adds elite bat to the lineup

There is no guarantee that a player’s stats translate at the next level, but based on recent jumps from prominent rookies around the league, Walker could bring needed production to St. Louis day one.

This season, the Atlanta Braves have called up two players straight from AA, Michael Harris and Vaughn Grissom, both of who have gone on to provide elite production for the reigning World Series champions. Walker is a higher regarded prospect than those two, and has put up even better numbers than both players did in AA this season.

Outside of their two MVP candidates in Goldschmidt and Arenado, the Cardinals have not found consistent production from their other regulars at the plate. Manager Oli Marmol is constantly shifting his lineup around to try and find the hot hands, but if the club wants to contend for more than a postseason appearance, they’ll need other guys to help stabilize the lineup.

The Cardinals have especially struggled against right handed pitching, which Walker has a .926 OPS against so far this season. His .864 OPS against left handed pitching as well makes Walker dangerous against all pitchers, something few players on the Cardinals roster can provide.

Walker’s mix of power and on-base skills is exactly the kind of bat that could do this. Whether it’s from the leadoff spot, two hole, or batting behind their sluggers, Walker could give St. Louis another bat to be feared and take their lineup to the next level. There are multiple positions that Walker could play to make it into the lineup, depending on who is playing well.

Jordan Walker’s defensive fit in St. Louis

With Walker’s natural position of third base covered by Arenado and first base manned by NL MVP Goldschmidt, his clearest path to playing time for St. Louis is in the outfield or at DH.

Walker began making his transition to the outfield after the Harrison Bader trade, and has already shown how his tools can translate into an above-average defensive outfielder. His athleticism gives him the ability to make run saving plays, and has an arm that can keep runners honest.

With Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson struggling at the plate, especially against right handed hitters, Walker would be a natural replacement for either player should St. Louis want to put Walker in their lineup.

Considering St. Louis has ran out Brendan Donovan, Juan Yepez, and Corey Dickerson in the outfield this season, it really is not a stretch to see Walker get playing time out there now, despite his recent transition to the position. The fact that he is already showing the ability to handle all three outfields spots shows his natural ability, which could already be better than the three aforementioned Cardinals.

Of course, Walker could fit in at DH for the club as well, or fill in for Arenado and Goldschmidt when they need days off. As much as the Cardinals value defense, Walker would not be a liablity for the club, and would provide them a bat that they desperately need.

It remains to be seen if the Cardinals will fast track the superstar in the making to St. Louis. With so many different outfield options currently, it makes sense why the club does not appear to be in a rush. But if Walker could make a similar impact in St. Louis that Atlanta has found from their rookies, one has strongly consider the potential he brings.