Inside The Cardinals

MLB Writer Sounds Off On Struggling Cardinals Outfielder

The Cardinals can only give Jordan Walker so many chances to succeed in St. Louis.
Zach Pressnell|
May 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (18) celebrates after hitting an RBI triple during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
May 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (18) celebrates after hitting an RBI triple during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker came to the big leagues with high expectations a few years ago. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, he hasn't lived up to the hype.

While he's struggled over the last few seasons, the young outfielder is beginning to heat up for the Cardinals right now and he could potentially be headed for much brighter days. Still, not everybody is sold on him yet.

Russ Eddins of Just Baseball recently shared some harsh opinions on the struggling Walker.

"While Walker has hit very well recently, it will not last. His BABIP over the last two weeks is an enormous .556," Eddins wrote. "His strikeout rate since May 15 is 41.2%, and his walk rate is 2.9%. Plus, he has put the ball on the ground 47.4% of the time. On the year, he ranks in the ninth percentile or worse in xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, squared-up rate, whiff rate and strikeout rate.

"Walker has provided very little value across the board. His defense has not significantly hurt the Cardinals, but it has not been great. His hard-hit rate is good, but he is not barreling pitches up. He chases way too much and whiffs a lot. With the Cardinals playing well and putting themselves in a playoff position, how much time is left for a struggling Walker?"

There are a lot of concerning numbers with walker. He's striking out a lot while not walking much at all. His underlying numbers suggest he's not going to be successful unless big changes are made.

But the one number that wasn't mentioned is his age: 23 years old.

Walker has plenty of time. Everybody seems in a hurry for him to make an All-Star Game or be cut from the Cardinals, but that's an extreme point of view to take. The young outfielder has time and potential to grow into a star.

More MLB: MLB Writer Suggests Struggling Cardinals Star Could Be Heating Up

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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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