Inside The Cardinals

MLB Writer Shares Shockingly High Praise For Struggling Cardinals Star

Jordan Walker has some of the highest potential in all of baseball.
Zach Pressnell|
May 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
May 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

While the St. Louis Cardinals have a lot to be excited about with most of their roster, former top prospect Jordan Walker is giving the team a lot to be worried about.

Walker, again in 2025, is struggling. He's slashing .207/.264/.293 with a career worst OPS and a negative WAR. It seems as though St. Louis is going to stick with him for the time being, but it's hard to imagine they can continue to back him if he doesn't turn this around.

Redbird Rants' Josh Jacobs recently shared some high praise for Walker despite the fact that his struggles have been quite concerning.

"On the bright side, his defense has improved quite a bit this year. He's in the 79th percentile in outs above average for right fielders this year, after being a bottom-three defender in baseball in 2023 and well below average in 2024," Jacobs wrote. "That really is a big win in his development, but it ultimately won't mean a ton if the bat doesn't come back around.

"Walker is just 22 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to emerge as a force at the plate. As a 20-year-old in 2023, Walker posted a 116 wRC+ in 117 games for St. Louis. It's crazy to think how much he has regressed over the last two years, but again, it is very possible that he puts it all back together soon to make good on his promise."

At the end of the day, Walker is still just 22 years old. There are a lot of prospects, and even some MLB Draft prospects, who are older than Walker. If he was in the minor leagues or college at this age, nobody would be concerned about his streakiness.

All he needs is a little bit of patience and he should be fine. The Cardinals can't give him forever to figure it out, but he remains one of the highest potential players in the sport.

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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