Jordan Walker epitomizes Cardinals' next steps to MLB contention

Feb 18, 2026 - 02:00

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Jordan Walker epitomizes Cardinals' next steps to MLB contention originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Jordan Walker once looked like he'd lead the St. Louis Cardinals into a bold and brilliant new era.

Now, Walker is likely playing for his own job. It's been that kind of couple years for the Cardinals.

St. Louis has embarked on a rebuild this offseason. They traded away Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado.

Walker remains, but what of him remains?

"The Cardinals have said Walker’s spring numbers don’t matter as much as simply seeing him take good at-bats," MLB.com's Brian Murphy wrote in a new article on Tuesday. "And he likely has a starting spot in St. Louis’ outfield no matter what. But after producing a 68 OPS+ and a 30.7% strikeout rate over his past two seasons (574 plate appearances), there is some pressure on the Cards’ former No. 1 prospect to implement his offseason work -- including changes to his swing and setup in the batter’s box -- and show that he can be the feared slugger that this lineup sorely lacks."

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Even Walker's first foray into the big leagues made it seem like he could grow into one of baseball's most fearsome sluggers. His defense may have been lacking, but that would work itself out if he could hit.

Well, he stopped hitting.

Pitchers figured out Walker's weaknesses, and he hasn't responded in kind. He can still hit a baseball a long way, but not nearly often enough.

For the Cardinals' turnaround to start sooner rather than later, Walker will need to trend more toward his full potential.

Otherwise, the rebuild will have to go on without him.