Walker starts down in the count a lot

[renostl]

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

Who is more productive when behind in the count?

Being more selective to me implies getting a better pitch not letting a better pitch go by.
Currently JW is in search mode, IMO.
I have no idea how it turns out for him, he is just 23, he'll get 2025 automatically and
needs to show progress.
He may get 2026 too.

[sikeston bulldog2]

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

Who is more productive when behind in the count?

Being more selective to me implies getting a better pitch not letting a better pitch go by.
Currently JW is in search mode, IMO.
I have no idea how it turns out for him, he is just 23, he'll get 2025 automatically and
needs to show progress.
He may get 2026 too.

Agree. Act like it’s batting practice. Get a good pitch. Swing. Count regardless, till two strikes, then it’s simply put it in play.

[3dender]

I really hope I end up looking dumb with this comment but I've never been impressed with his swing/approach.

I kinda swallowed my reservations bc of how much everyone else was hyperventilating, but he has never to me looked like a natural hitter at the plate... just big and strong with an awkward swing (partly from being so tall I think). Right now he's looking like an adequate mistake hitter and that's about it, so let's hope he has a lot of growth potential.

[Jatalk]

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

Who is more productive when behind in the count?

Being more selective to me implies getting a better pitch not letting a better pitch go by.
Currently JW is in search mode, IMO.
I have no idea how it turns out for him, he is just 23, he'll get 2025 automatically and
needs to show progress.
He may get 2026 too.

Agree. Act like it’s batting practice. Get a good pitch. Swing. Count regardless, till two strikes, then it’s simply put it in play.

I agree. I was only pointing out some better hitters will take two strikes waiting for a better pitch. In Walkers position he needs to swing at first good pitch not wait for the perfect pitch.

[ilcubuffs]

Unfortunately with Walker the pitcher is in control from pitch 1. As previously stated 2 quick strikes and then the low away/in start and probably one of the shortest AB's in MLB.

With the coaching, or lack there of, he has experienced, it is not a mystery why he is the batter he portrays. If you know they are going to go low and away start hitting to right field. Make the pitchers sphere of influence smaller around the plate. A hit to right field is the same as hit to left field. Most importantly - its a hit and not an out.

When you approach the "auto out" status, unless you play defense like Ozzie S your value to the team is non existent.

"Bring up Koperniak." Amen and hallelujah.

[Colotiger]

Albert used to take good first strike pitches a lot. Then again, Walker isn’t Albert. If Walker starts swinging at first pitches down the middle, pitchers will likely adjust. Until then, he’ll likely be constantly behind the count.

[Adam2]

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

The pitch recognition is the biggest part i think (obviously there are other issues). Seems he is guessing all the time, and when already susceptible to low and away off speed, you're generally not going to be successful.

[boulanger]

especially lately, he has some of the worst swings at some of the worst way low and way outside pitches. he's back to doing what he did most of last year.

[12xu]

Pitchers are very much aware that he takes the first pitch 70% of the time, so they typically fire a fastball right down central to start his AB, knowing he will likely just watch it go by. If he does not alter this approach once in a while, he is going to start nearly every AB behind in the count 0-1 - not a very advantageous position to be in.

[WLTFE]

I really hope I end up looking dumb with this comment but I've never been impressed with his swing/approach.

I kinda swallowed my reservations bc of how much everyone else was hyperventilating, but he has never to me looked like a natural hitter at the plate... just big and strong with an awkward swing (partly from being so tall I think). Right now he's looking like an adequate mistake hitter and that's about it, so let's hope he has a lot of growth potential.

I agree...I really root for the kid but he always seems confused and passive...I really hope he makes liars of us both.

[hmoss859]

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.

Jordan Walker has 1/10 of Juan Soto talent

He can’t cover his huge strike zone, too upright and rigid, not a quick twitcher