Walker starts down in the count a lot

[Futuregm2]

2023: Took 1st pitch 57.2% of the time (266/465) / 64.7% of the time first pitch strike%
2024: Took 1st pitch 65.2% of the time (116/178) / 66.3% of the time first pitch strike%
2025: Took 1st pitch 69.3% of the time (70/101) / 67.3% of the time first pitch strike%

The 67.3% first pitch strike% is the highest on the team of those qualified and is 18th highest in baseball.

[sikeston bulldog2]

2023: Took 1st pitch 57.2% of the time (266/465) / 64.7% of the time first pitch strike%
2024: Took 1st pitch 65.2% of the time (116/178) / 66.3% of the time first pitch strike%
2025: Took 1st pitch 69.3% of the time (70/101) / 67.3% of the time first pitch strike%

The 67.3% first pitch strike% is the highest on the team of those qualified and is 18th highest in baseball.

Ok where to start. A hitter gets two strikes. Many times an ump will take one.

So Walker automatically inherits a two strike count 2/3 of his at bats. Between strike three and the ump, he hasn’t much chance.

Based on your stats he’d do much better off swinging first pitch.

[bccardsfan]

Plus he seems to be more open again, facing the pitcher, and flailing away with the soft swing at low and away pitches. Not sure how he gets out of that pattern, but it is the one where he doesn't hit well when he is there. I am sure the hitting coach sees all, but hard to get players on track.

[Goldfan]

Plus he seems to be more open again, facing the pitcher, and flailing away with the soft swing at low and away pitches. Not sure how he gets out of that pattern, but it is the one where he doesn't hit well when he is there. I am sure the hitting coach sees all, but hard to get players on track.

He did close his stance and put the toe down……as you note looks like he’s trending back to open with toe up
This guy is never going to be anything special. He enormous size masked ALOT of worts in the minors….he’s not getting away with that in the Bigs

[ramfandan]

Juan Soto has the lowest first pitch swing rate in baseball.
He takes a ton of first strike pitches. Walker’s issue is not passing on first pitches.

[bccardsfan]

Plus he seems to be more open again, facing the pitcher, and flailing away with the soft swing at low and away pitches. Not sure how he gets out of that pattern, but it is the one where he doesn't hit well when he is there. I am sure the hitting coach sees all, but hard to get players on track.

He did close his stance and put the toe down……as you note looks like he’s trending back to open with toe up
This guy is never going to be anything special. He enormous size masked ALOT of worts in the minors….he’s not getting away with that in the Bigs

To his credit, he has become at least an average to above average RFer. Kid works hard and is smart. It sure looks like he will have to rebuild that stance and swing at some point if he is ever going to amount to anything in the bigs... That is really hard to do, and it happens in the off season, not the middle of the campaign.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Juan Soto has the lowest first pitch swing rate in baseball.
He takes a ton of first strike pitches. Walker’s issue is not passing on first pitches.

I disagree. It is an issue being down in the count 0-1. Takes away maybe the best pitch you’ll see. Also takes away one of two free swings before the two strike approach is employed.

I think he would hit better first pitch swinging till the league changes on him.

[Futuregm2]

Juan Soto has the lowest first pitch swing rate in baseball.
He takes a ton of first strike pitches. Walker’s issue is not passing on first pitches.

Soto’s career high first pitch strike% is 57.5% which came in his rookie year, his career% is 54.5%. That’s quite a bit lower than Walker’s.

[ramfandan]

Juan Soto has the lowest first pitch swing rate in baseball.
He takes a ton of first strike pitches. Walker’s issue is not passing on first pitches.

Soto’s career high first pitch strike% is 57.5% which came in his rookie year, his career% is 54.5%. That’s quite a bit lower than Walker’s.

Yes, the 54% career first pitch is lower. Overall in mlb 1st pitch averages about 58% strikes. My point is that Doto swings less than any other player in baseball at this first pitches .. only about 1 of 3 times.
More than taking the first pitch, it is where it is in the zone.
If the first pitch is hitting the corners for strikes that is one thing.Ig you lay off a ball belt high more in middle of plate yhst’s something different. Bet those latter tyoed are the ones Soto swings at

I would bet the scouting report on Walker is., he rarely swings at first pich. Throw middle of plate fastball and get ahead on him. Don’t throw fir corners/edges

[scoutyjones2]

Excellent fast swing, solid velocity and hard hit rate..he just doesn't barrel, make contact, square the ball up or hit his sweet spot.. Whiffs and chases like crazy..doesn't walk. Pitch recognition lacking

I'm sold he isn't viable as a hitter. Needs to go to the minors and see if he can correct. Bring up Koperniak

[Swuhgen]

Walker seems to be allergic to coaching.

[renostl]

2023: Took 1st pitch 57.2% of the time (266/465) / 64.7% of the time first pitch strike%
2024: Took 1st pitch 65.2% of the time (116/178) / 66.3% of the time first pitch strike%
2025: Took 1st pitch 69.3% of the time (70/101) / 67.3% of the time first pitch strike%

The 67.3% first pitch strike% is the highest on the team of those qualified and is 18th highest in baseball.

Confidence at the plate IMO is low and part of this, not all.
I think he's more confident in the OF than at the plate.

I posted about a month ago that a good start was important to him to
establish buy in to a new approach. Not that I was correct, just thinking like a coach or teacher.
I see buy in very important. Walker had an interview where he said all the
right things about balance and approach. When we struggle though without buy in
sometimes we revert to bad and over think in the AB.

Currently until he resets a bit his playing time should be controlled in a judicious fashion.
Maybe Brown handles this a bit with matchups and with where JW is in his approach.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Juan Soto has the lowest first pitch swing rate in baseball.
He takes a ton of first strike pitches. Walker’s issue is not passing on first pitches.

Soto’s career high first pitch strike% is 57.5% which came in his rookie year, his career% is 54.5%. That’s quite a bit lower than Walker’s.

Yes, the 54% career first pitch is lower. Overall in mlb 1st pitch averages about 58% strikes. My point is that Doto swings less than any other player in baseball at this first pitches .. only about 1 of 3 times.
More than taking the first pitch, it is where it is in the zone.
If the first pitch is hitting the corners for strikes that is one thing.Ig you lay off a ball belt high more in middle of plate yhst’s something different. Bet those latter tyoed are the ones Soto swings at

I would bet the scouting report on Walker is., he rarely swings at first pich. Throw middle of plate fastball and get ahead on him. Don’t throw fir corners/edges

I bet you’re right. Easy heat down the middle. Work the corners. Easy out.

[Jatalk]

2 strike counts pretty common for mature hitters so I am wondering if he is getting direction to be more selective?

[rockondlouie]

I. Hererra swings to do damage, you could see it from his first MLB AB.

I've never felt the same about J. Walker's swing.

Sure he'll run into one once in a blue moon but will he ever do it consistently?

Getting very close to "bust" territory unless he turns things around this season.

[Ace07]

He's been remarkably bad at the plate.

In his last 18 games, he has 10 total hits. Out of those 10 hits, 1 double and 1 home run. He essentially gets a base hit every other game. In those 18 games, he has also only drawn a walk in two of those games. .395 OPS in that time frame. Jack Flaherty had a higher career OPS than that. You'd think he was a P with his plate approach.