Is Jordan Walker starting OFer next year?

[Celtic Jim]

Does he deserve more runway, I think so

[ramfandan]

Does he deserve more runway, I think so

He better hope he doesn't get more runway ... the runways are backed up at the moment..
Walker's flight is not only delayed but may be canceled !

In all seriousness, it will be interesting to see if he looks any different this spring training after working on 'whatever' he was tasked to working on in the offseason .

[Shady]

Does he deserve more runway, I think so

If Contreras isn't traded, moving Burleson to 1B. Burleson will be the starting RF opening day '26. From what I've seen in '25. Walker needs to start out at Memphis.

[Talkin' Baseball]

I don't know what "ought" to happen, but I think they will play him.

[NYCardsFan]

Does he deserve more runway, I think so

If Contreras isn't traded, moving Burleson to 1B. Burleson will be the starting RF opening day '26. From what I've seen in '25. Walker needs to start out at Memphis.

Once again, Burleson is unplayable defensively in RF:

IP: 734.2
DRS: -7
OAA: -12
FRV: -11

That's all in the equivalent of just half a season’s worth of inning. He's a traffic cone out there. They somewhat managed to get away with trying to hide him in LF last year (with Scott in CF)—if he plays in the OF, that’s where he’s going to play.

Unfortunately, Walker also was dreadful defensively in RF last year. If he doesn’t improve, he’ll be unplayable as well.

[Melville]

The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade him.

[Ozziesfan41]

Cardinals prospects get career runways. Gorman will get another few years to see if he can hit enough to bring his one tool into play

[Cusecards]

I don’t know if he will be considered a “starter” but he will be in the mix at some point.
He has one advantage in that he hits RH. Could be a platoon OF.
Arenado being dealt and Noot probably on IR aids his cause.
Of course he could be dealt but I would not move him just to get rid of him.
He doesn’t make squat and the Option Year helps!

[Dicktar2023]

Reading the tea leaves, I think Bloom is dreaming of Walker and Gorman getting a makeover from his new team of minor league geniuses.

How long that takes and who plays on the ML roster is anyone's guess. But I don't think there is any chance they give up on Walker this winter.

[82birds]

yes he will be a starting OF in 2026
but for what team..Cards, Memphis or other?

[Melville]

Reading the tea leaves, I think Bloom is dreaming of Walker and Gorman getting a makeover from his new team of minor league geniuses.

How long that takes and who plays on the ML roster is anyone's guess. But I don't think there is any chance they give up on Walker this winter.

Gorman is pretty much set in stone as the 2026 3B for STL - unless Bloom gets an offer he can't refuse.
Walker is not a FA until after the 2029 season, meaning any acquiring team still has plenty of time to be patient with him.
Walker's challenge is that - unlike Gorman who is LH, plays 2 infield spots, and has massive power upside - he has no compelling argument for STL to keep him.
Yes, he has elite exit velocity at times - but he is a poor defender in RF which is the 2nd least important defensive assignment, does not hit well enough to be a 1B, and is RH.
In other words, easily replaced.
His highest value is that other teams would value the 4 years of control and be willing to "hope" to get lucky in his development.
Several low payroll teams would be glad to make that bet.
That is precisely why the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade him.

[rage-STL]

He'll continue to get better defensively the more he plays outfield, I just hope he finds himself at the plate. With Mo's admission that the organization needed to immediately course correct due to developmental malpractice in their farm system, it's hard not to immediately think of Jordan Walker.

I wonder what Walker would look like today if they didn't knee-jerk switch his position to OF because there was an need at the big league level? Promote him to AAA in 2023; playing 3B while getting reps at 1B with a plan for him to eventually take over at 1B after Pujols and Goldy were done. That's neither here nor there because he an OF now, just a thought.

I'm still very much pulling for him. Baez - Scott - Walker would be a fun group to watch reach their potential.

All 16 of Jordan Walker's 2023 Home Runs!

[Clubmaker2]

Jordan should be assigned to AAA and told that when he plays his way onto the big league club, then he will be on it. You cannot tolerate youngsters who do not study the opposing relievers on the opening day of the series as much as they are supposed to, and why on earth were these type meetings/things come out sounding optional ?

[BrockFloodMaris]

Does he deserve more runway, I think so

I don’t think JW is getting much of an offseason this year. He’s been working with driveline and will, I’m guessing, get introduced to Bloom’s new shiny hitting instruction team, keep meeting with Brant Brown, and probably show up early at Jupiter for spring training. I can’t wait to see what he looks like in late March. He will start at either MEM or STL.

[scoutyjones2]

Does he deserve more runway, I think so

In the minors..preferably AA, but probably AAA

[scoutyjones2]

He'll continue to get better defensively the more he plays outfield, I just hope he finds himself at the plate. With Mo's admission that the organization needed to immediately course correct due to developmental malpractice in their farm system, it's hard not to immediately think of Jordan Walker.

I wonder what Walker would look like today if they didn't knee-jerk switch his position to OF because there was an need at the big league level? Promote him to AAA in 2023; playing 3B while getting reps at 1B with a plan for him to eventually take over at 1B after Pujols and Goldy were done. That's neither here nor there because he an OF now, just a thought.

I'm still very much pulling for him. Baez - Scott - Walker would be a fun group to watch reach their potential.

All 16 of Jordan Walker's 2023 Home Runs!

He hasn't gotten better defensively, though... so I stopped reading