Why was Walker considered a can't miss prospect?

[PadsFS07]

I think it was the frame and apparent makeup, good attitude with parents that went to Harvard and Yale or something like that.

Bingo

And as he climbed the ladder, from A - ball to AA to AAA..........he got worse.

His career AAA line is a "meh" .257 .331 .414 .745.

He actually skipped AAA when he made his debut in 2023, then got sent back down in May. Came back up in June and had a line of .306/.375/.472/.847 at the end of June.

[rockondlouie]

I think it was the frame and apparent makeup, good attitude with parents that went to Harvard and Yale or something like that.

Bingo

And as he climbed the ladder, from A - ball to AA to AAA..........he got worse.

His career AAA line is a "meh" .257 .331 .414 .745.

And probably, the Cardinals didn't have the infrastructure in place to develop him at each level. That's almost 100% accurate.

For sure

Bloom has fixed it, just in time for JJW, but it may be too late for Walker.

[Quincy Varnish]

I do not pay much attention to the minor leagues but remember the fanfare when Walker made the team a few years ago and was billed as the next generational talent. What caused that expectation? Hes a 0 tool player. He can't hit for average, does not hit for power, does not run particularly well, and is terrible on defense.

What in the world happened in the minors that caused such lofty expectations?

You do not know what the tools are, or how to identify them.

He has one of the strongest arms in the majors, the quickest bat, and despite your claims that he does not run well is currently 83rd percentile in sprint speed.

The tools are there… the results are not.

[ScotchMIrish]

Because he was fantastic for his age until they sent him to the minors to change his swing to what the computer said it should be.

These analytics people could have ruined Musial and Brock if given the chance.

[scoutyjones2]

He was a covid era prospect. Missed his senior year in High School and broke into the Minor Leagues during a time that pitching and scouting was very inept. By the time he got to the ML his flaws had yet to be pinpointed and exploited. Once the book was written on him he was not been able to adjust. From the sounds of it, it's more a refusal to adjust too. I think part of it has been Walker not buying into the plan the team puts in for him. His swing and set up have been all over the place this year. I can't imagine that's the team but him not being consistent with implementing the changes the team is trying to get him to make.

Brant Brown and Oli were on Bernie’s show today and Bernie asked Brown straight up about Walker… he sure seemed to say he’s not putting the work in and doesn’t lean into scouting reports. Oli said nothing to defend him.

What Oli said was perfect.

[scoutyjones2]

Because he was fantastic for his age until they sent him to the minors to change his swing to what the computer said it should be.

These analytics people could have ruined Musial and Brock if given the chance.

So wrong...but not shocking for you

[scoutyjones2]

I think it was the frame and apparent makeup, good attitude with parents that went to Harvard and Yale or something like that.

Bingo

And as he climbed the ladder, from A - ball to AA to AAA..........he got worse.

His career AAA line is a "meh" .257 .331 .414 .745.

He actually skipped AAA when he made his debut in 2023, then got sent back down in May. Came back up in June and had a line of .306/.375/.472/.847 at the end of June.

Then the league said, throw him [shirt] on the outer part of the plate...and the next few years show how incapable and worthless he is. Even his defense is (bleep)

Like his hitting, it gets worse every year.

That's on the kid and no one else