rockondlouie wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 09:55 am
This won't be popular but I'm starting to wonder if Walker (2 Hr's/ 1 double/ .239 .299 .338 .637) will ever be more than a "meh" hitter.
I see no power, no extra base hits and too make KO's.
The terms "overhyped" and "overrated" are on the tip of my tongue.
The problem is he's a Cardinal. Give up and cut bait, trade him for an unknown reliever to a rival team, he'll be putting up MVP numbers by the time he's 25.
lol, in all seriousness, though, he's still young and the Cards messing with his swing clearly had an impact. I hate when players try to adjust their swing to increase launch angle, but Walker might be a prime example of when it's necessary.
I think the biggest problem is he was rushed to MLB. Should have at AAA in 23 and 24 nonstop until this issue's fixed.
The guy's a genetic freak, though. 6' 5" 250 pure muscle before age 20... That just doesn't happen very often.
Last edited by blackinkbiz on 19 Apr 2025 10:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
rockondlouie wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 09:55 am
This won't be popular but I'm starting to wonder if Walker (2 Hr's/ 1 double/ .239 .299 .338 .637) will ever be more than a "meh" hitter.
I see no power, no extra base hits and too make KO's.
The terms "overhyped" and "overrated" are on the tip of my tongue.
The problem is he's a Cardinal. Give up and cut bait, trade him for an unknown reliever to a rival team, he'll be putting up MVP numbers by the time he's 25.
lol, in all seriousness, though, he's still young and the Cards messing with his swing clearly had an impact. I hate when players try to adjust their swing to increase launch angle, but Walker might be a prime example of when it's necessary.
I think the biggest problem is he was rushed to MLB. Should have at AAA in 23 and 24 nonstop until this issue's fixed.
I always thought his swing is manufactured and mechanical like someone is making a video.
Not all but even a lot of his hits to the opposite field are off the end of the bat or cue shots not actually closing the front shoulder nose down and driving the ball that way intentionally.
Mike Shannon used to say 1200-AB's was usually a pretty good barometer on a ballplayer's future progression. I don't know if that's usually the case or not but I'm sure he would have known more about that then I do so I'd like to see more out of Walker before making some evaluation but at least for now unless that front shoulder somehow stays in I don't see how it ever changes.
11WSChamps wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 10:57 am
I always thought his swing is manufactured and mechanical like someone is making a video.
Not all but even a lot of his hits to the opposite field are off the end of the bat or cue shots not actually closing the front shoulder nose down and driving the ball that way intentionally.
Mike Shannon used to say 1200-AB's was usually a pretty good barometer on a ballplayer's future progression. I don't know if that's usually the case or not but I'm sure he would have known more about that then I do so I'd like to see more out of Walker before making some evaluation but at least for now unless that front shoulder somehow stays in I don't see how it ever changes.
rockondlouie wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 09:55 am
This won't be popular but I'm starting to wonder if Walker (2 Hr's/ 1 double/ .239 .299 .338 .637) will ever be more than a "meh" hitter.
I see no power, no extra base hits and too make KO's.
The terms "overhyped" and "overrated" are on the tip of my tongue.
When I was standing next to the back fields in Jupiter last time, there were a bunch of people standing behind the left field fence when Walker took batting practice. I had never seen that over the years for any prospect. His reputation for power was huge. I truly wonder what has happened since then.
Organizational failure to develop his talent?
Overrated power potential due to his massive size?
Combination of many factors?
Watch I. Hererra's AB's, that's a dangerous young hitter who swings to do damage.
Walker's never gave me that same feeling.
Very true. I'm turning on JW ever coming close to his supposed potential. He is young and can be sent down.
craviduce wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 10:36 am
He does have power. Unfortunately, his swing hits the ball into the ground... that's a result of keeping the same swing composition since he was teenager, but his body outgrew him and his swing. It's incredibly difficult to change. Depends on the person I guess. But I can't bemoan him. He's made the slight alterations over the winter to try and fix the problem. He's hitting the ball, that's a plus. Maybe the loft will come later?
His Exit Velocities are incredible. So, Again...the power isn't a problem
I wish he would shorten up the swing like Judge or swing a bit more up like Stanton...but that's easier said than done.
Given his similar size, I've always wondered if he should use a Dave Winfield like stance to generate elevation to go w/the power?
craviduce wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 10:36 am
He does have power. Unfortunately, his swing hits the ball into the ground... that's a result of keeping the same swing composition since he was teenager, but his body outgrew him and his swing. It's incredibly difficult to change. Depends on the person I guess. But I can't bemoan him. He's made the slight alterations over the winter to try and fix the problem. He's hitting the ball, that's a plus. Maybe the loft will come later?
His Exit Velocities are incredible. So, Again...the power isn't a problem
I wish he would shorten up the swing like Judge or swing a bit more up like Stanton...but that's easier said than done.
Given his similar size, I've always wondered if he should use a Dave Winfield like stance to generate elevation to go w/the power?
Not giving up on Jordan. His exit velocity says power is not the problem. He's been hitting better this year hopefully as a result of his relationship with hitting coach. He may still be focused on contact rather than lifting the ball. Perhaps it comes as the season progresses. No player needs success from which to build on more than Walker.
hugeCardfan wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 11:52 am
Not giving up on Jordan. His exit velocity says power is not the problem. He's been hitting better this year hopefully as a result of his relationship with hitting coach. He may still be focused on contact rather than lifting the ball. Perhaps it comes as the season progresses. No player needs success from which to build on more than Walker.
His exit velo is 89.4 which at 44% is under league average
His squared up rate is in the bottom 4%
His barrel rate ranks in the bottom 22%
His hard hit rate in the bottom 34%
His .300 xSLG is poor
BUT his bat speed ranks in the "great" 100% top of MLB
That bat speed along w/his arm strength (also 100%) are his best qualities.
hugeCardfan wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 11:52 am
Not giving up on Jordan. His exit velocity says power is not the problem. He's been hitting better this year hopefully as a result of his relationship with hitting coach. He may still be focused on contact rather than lifting the ball. Perhaps it comes as the season progresses. No player needs success from which to build on more than Walker.
His exit velo is 89.4 which at 44% is under league average
His squared up rate is in the bottom 4%
His barrel rate ranks in the bottom 22%
His hard hit rate in the bottom 34%
His .300 xSLG is poor
BUT his bat speed ranks in the "great" 100% top of MLB
That bat speed along w/his arm strength (also 100%) are his best qualities.
That squared up rate is abysmal. Somebody sneak him a torpedo bat...or something. I can't rationalize the bat speed rate with his exit velocity which I thought was higher earlier in the season.
hugeCardfan wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 11:52 am
Not giving up on Jordan. His exit velocity says power is not the problem. He's been hitting better this year hopefully as a result of his relationship with hitting coach. He may still be focused on contact rather than lifting the ball. Perhaps it comes as the season progresses. No player needs success from which to build on more than Walker.
His exit velo is 89.4 which at 44% is under league average
His squared up rate is in the bottom 4%
His barrel rate ranks in the bottom 22%
His hard hit rate in the bottom 34%
His .300 xSLG is poor
BUT his bat speed ranks in the "great" 100% top of MLB
That bat speed along w/his arm strength (also 100%) are his best qualities.
That squared up rate is abysmal. Somebody sneak him a torpedo bat...or something. I can't rationalize the bat speed rate with his exit velocity which I thought was higher earlier in the season.
hugeCardfan wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 11:52 am
Not giving up on Jordan. His exit velocity says power is not the problem. He's been hitting better this year hopefully as a result of his relationship with hitting coach. He may still be focused on contact rather than lifting the ball. Perhaps it comes as the season progresses. No player needs success from which to build on more than Walker.
His exit velo is 89.4 which at 44% is under league average
His squared up rate is in the bottom 4%
His barrel rate ranks in the bottom 22%
His hard hit rate in the bottom 34%
His .300 xSLG is poor
BUT his bat speed ranks in the "great" 100% top of MLB
That bat speed along w/his arm strength (also 100%) are his best qualities.
That squared up rate is abysmal. Somebody sneak him a torpedo bat...or something. I can't rationalize the bat speed rate with his exit velocity which I thought was higher earlier in the season.
rockondlouie wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 09:55 am
This won't be popular but I'm starting to wonder if Walker (2 Hr's/ 1 double/ .239 .299 .338 .637) will ever be more than a "meh" hitter.
I see no power, no extra base hits and too make KO's.
The terms "overhyped" and "overrated" are on the tip of my tongue.
He might end up "meh". Won't be the first highly rated player to never make it big. But in fairness the rankings and hype are external to STL. If he was overrated he fooled a lot of people not in the STL organization. Lot of scouts had a hand in his #3 prospect rank.
Clemente ish based on potential. Clemente had 240 Hrs, 400 plus doubles, and 166? Triples. He could run the bases well.
But he had 26 Hr once, 23 twice, and all other years between basically 15-19. But he got hits, bunch of hits. Walker could become that player- 18-20 hr, 35 doubles, 5 triples- 150 hits per year.
