Cardinals' Jordan Walker could tie a quirky record in the final game of 2026

There is no shortage of weird and wild stats that permeate baseball, and St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker is nearing an all-time record in a doozy of a category. According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs, Walker's 56 home runs are all off of different pitchers, which is one away from Willy Adames' record of 57 to start a career.

Obviously, much of this accomplishment is out of Walker's control, and with teams playing against a wider assortment of opponents in the era of the balanced schedule, it's likely that even if Walker breaks Adames' record, someone will come along and shatter Walker's eventually.

However, Walker looks to be far more than an answer to some disgustingly niche trivia question, as the breakout star has shown throughout the season that beyond holding the ability to hit home runs off of a diverse array of pitchers, Walker has the talent to reach a number that no other Cardinal has touched in the past four years.

Jordan Walker is one home run away from the 30-100 club

The Cardinals have had their share of big moments this season, with Walker's thrilling Home Run Derby victory as one of the largest among them. Another accomplishment could take place in game 162. As the Cardinals lace up for their final showdown of the season, Walker has one more chance to hit his 30th home run to accompany his 101 RBIs. If he does so, he'll be the first Cardinal since 2022 to hold 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in a season, joining Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, who both hit that number in the year marking the team's most recent sniff of the postseason.

Following the All-Star break, Walker failed to produce at the same level that he did in the first half, and the Cardinals' choice to wait on providing him with a contract extension may be wise, especially after he endured a dreadful September that will raise questions on whether the first half was a mirage and Walker will return to scuffling badly as he did in his previous two seasons. But in a year where Walker was left to sink or swim, he's come out like Michael Phelps, and the Cardinals will expect big things from him in 2027 (assuming a season takes place).

If Walker can sock his 30th round-tripper in the Cardinals' final game of 2026, it would be the cherry on top of a remarkable season and provide further evidence that he's come into his own. If he ties Adames' record of hitting his first 57 home runs off of 57 different pitchers with that same blast, Walker would become the latest inductee into the wacky world of baseball eccentricities.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow