Cardinals Top Prospect Set To Do Something Not Done By St. Louis Player In Over 40 Years
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The St. Louis Cardinals have plenty to be excited about.
St. Louis is set to begin the 2023 season Thursday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Cardinals shined in 2022 and finished atop the National League Standings with an impressive 93-69 record. Although they didn't advance as far as they had hoped in the postseason, they very well could in 2023.
One player Cardinals fans certainly should be excited about is top prospect, Jordan Walker. The 20-year-old is set to make his Major League Baseball debut in Thursday's season-opener and when he does so, it will be historic.
At 20 years and 312 days old, Walker will become the youngest position player to make his debut in team history in over 40 years, according to the club. Walker will start the day in right field and should play a major role with the club in 2023.
St. Louis drafted Walker in the first round of the 2020 MLB June Amateur Draft and he has quickly risen up the team's farm system. Walker began his professional career in 2021 and saw time with the Low-A Palm Beach Cardinals as well as High-A Peoria Chiefs. He shined over the course of the season and slashed .317/.388/.548 to go along with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs across 82 games played. Walked also chipped in 25 doubles, four triples, and 14 stolen bases in 2021.
He took another step forward in 2022 while playing for the Double-A Springfield Cardinals and finished the season with a .306/.388/.510 slash line along with 19 home runs, 68 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, and 31 doubles.
Walker shined in spring training with the Cardinals and clubbed three home runs and drove in nine runs in 20 games to go along with a .277 batting average. There's no way for sure to know exactly what Walker's role will be with the club in 2023, but it's certainly a good sign that he got the Opening Day start.
He may be just 20 years old, but Walker could have a big year in St. Louis and the foreseeable future.
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