The St. Louis Cardinals are putting their faith in rookie Jordan Walker, who was named the No. 6 prospect in MLB by Baseball America, as they have added him to their Opening Day roster. This is a huge accomplishment for Walker, as he has not yet played in Triple-A.
Walker was selected by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft, with the 21st overall pick. He came to the organization with plenty of hype and potential, and quickly began to show why. During his brief stint in the minors in 2020, he hit .357 with four home runs in just 44 plate appearances.
That performance alone was enough to put Walker on the radar for the Cardinals heading into the 2021 season. But it was his impressive showing during spring training that sealed the deal. In 50 plate appearances during the preseason, the 19-year old hit .296 with two home runs and a .963 OPS.
It’s rare for a player to make the jump directly from Single-A to the majors, but the Cardinals feel that Walker is ready for the challenge. They’re betting on his talents and believe that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Of course, there are always some concerns when it comes to rookies. For example, there’s always the question of whether or not they’ll be able to handle the pressure of playing in the big leagues. There’s also the issue of whether or not they’ll be able to adjust to the level of competition and the different game plans that opponents will have for them.
Despite these concerns, the Cardinals are confident in Walker’s ability to make a smooth transition to the majors. They’ve seen enough from him to suggest that he has a bright future ahead of him in the league, and that he has the potential to become one of the game’s young stars.
In the end, it’s hard to say what lies ahead for Walker. He could struggle initially as he adjusts to life in the majors, or he could take the league by storm and establish himself as one of the game’s premier players. Either way, the one thing that’s clear is that the Cardinals are ready to roll the dice on their young prospect, and this season could be the start of something special for both Walker and the team.
