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Jordan Walker announced as Cardinals finalist for Hank Aaron Award

Home run derby champ, All-Star, breakout player, and potential award winner.
ByScott Plaza
Aug 16, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The St. Louis Cardinals and Chaim Bloom have some items to check off on their offseason list, but before that happens, they could be receiving some good news about one of their future pieces. Jordan Walker, who enjoyed a career breakout in 2026, has been named as a finalist for the 2026 Hank Aaron Award.

Jordan Walker could be Cardinals first Aaron Award winner since Paul Goldschmidt

Coming into the season, fans seemed to be split on what the Cardinals should do with their former top prospect. After struggling for much of his major league career coming into 2026, Jordan Walker's future with the organization may have relied on his performance this season. If that is truly the case, Walker bought himself another season and likely more as he went from bounceback player to a potential extension candidate.

In Spring Training, Walker looked just as lost as ever and had some people clamoring not just for a demotion, but for the always comical request of a DFA. Thankfully, none of those people were in the front office and the Cardinals decided to keep rolling with Walker in what was supposed to be a season to learn about the roster. The outfielder repaid the Cardinals for their faith and came out of the regular season gates on a tear. Through the season's first three months, he did not have an OPS below .890 and had 15 homers by the end of May.

He ended the first half of his season with an All-Star nod and a Home Run Derby performance that will be remembered for decades and finally got everyone to believe in his breakout. Unfortunately, the second half of the season wore on Walker and he struggled in September, causing fans to again worry that he got back into bad habits. As it turns out, Walker fell into the organization's willingness to let their players stay in the lineup despite being injured and his second half downturn could be blamed on that hip pain he was experiencing.

Even with the injury, Walker was able to complete an incredible season that has to put some faith back in the former top prospect. His power fell off at the end of the season, but Walker was still able to finish top-15 in the league in homers (29), RBIs (102), doubles (33), runs (97), and hits (164) while also adding 22 stolen bases onto his .793 OPS. That performance had him teasing some down ballot MVP votes before his September struggles, but now he will have to settle for a potential Hank Aaron Award.

If Walker is able to fend off the tough competition for the award, he will be the Cardinals' first Aaron Award winner since Paul Goldschmidt in 2022. Goldy's season ended with an MVP award that year as well and his overall numbers dwarfed the season that Walker was able to put together this season. While Walker is unlikely to win the award, being a finalist has to be a nice feather in the cap for his 2026 breakout campaign.

Similar to the Ford C. Frick award that has some former Cardinals as finalists this season, the Aaron Award winner is voted on by previous winners and legends of the game. A panel completes the list of finalists before these players, including Albert Pujols among others, have the opportunity to cast their ballot. Along with these players' votes, fans can also make their voices heard by submitting online ballots. The voting window extends until Monday, October 12 and a winner from both leagues will be announced during MLB Awards on November 11.

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