What IF Walker Hits.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Good morning.

Let’s say we do not trade Donovan or Nado. We have a GG caliber infield. Willy will hit, Donovan will hit, Winn will get better, think between Ozzie and Edgar, and Nado will be a .250 spray hitter, 10 hr and 50 rbi from third. That’s the infield.

From a defensive perspective that’s as good an impact nfield as any in baseball. Offensively middle of the pack, say 15 ish.

Scott. Superb fielder. Just think. if he hits .250. Would be the equivalent of doubles city. He can only get better. All eyes are on bloom and Walker, don’t over look a maturing Scott.

Left- new player. If Donovan is traded, I’d think a young stud left fielder would be as valuable as a stud Ace. Combined defensively with Scott stout shut down 75 percent of the outfield.

Walker. Here we go. When he hits, we should see 20 plus homeruns, and 80 ish rbi. This is not MVP numbers, or even AS numbers, but for STL it’s huge. Why. Money.

If Walker hits, we save big money in FA or trade to acquire both a left fielder and right fielder. Having the potential of Walker, his cheapness, wrapped up in house leaves other moneys for the Ace.

Walker is key and essential to a strong rebuild. In both performance and other player moves. Simply because he’s so cheap. You gotta reap this.

So let’s summarize. Superb infield. Best n baseball. Good outfield in CF. Black holes. Left and right. With Walker in house.

I say we go as Walker goes.

What if he doesn't? Will 2027 be the year he finally breaks out? I mean how many years do you keep giving "next year is the year" guys?

If he doesn’t we need a right fielder further complicating the rebuild. What no one here knows is, Walker is part of the rebuild. His emergence is expected. If that don’t happen a critical piece of the future infrastructure is missing.

[sikeston bulldog2]

l

Walker will not hit.

I’m as positive a fan as anyone but Walker will not hit. It’s not a mechanical issue. I have no idea if it’s a thinking problem. I would be willing to make a really large bet he can’t hit at the big league level

Well that doesn’t help. Let’s hope. Again hypothetically if he did would the result be noticeable at the team level.

"What IF Walker Hits?"
Well, that would be a good thing.
Seems self-evident.
That said, I would prefer that question be answered with another organization - because the odds are not in his favor.

U guys are killin me. Too much personal bias. If it’s a good thin he hits, expand a bit. What does good thing entail- .500; post season.

And just think if he did, we solve RF, we get a reasonable hitter, and it’s done on the cheap, meaning moneys for real studs and aces.

I hope he does...truly do

Don't you live in the Show Me state?

Louisiana. The suck asssssss state.

[rockondlouie]

Bloom's gang down below are already hard at work w/Walker in Florida, Gorman needs to be there too.

And of course I should've said "rightfield" for Walker, not leftfield.

Is this actually the case? It'd be great to hear Walker was playing--and tearing up--Fall Ball somewhere.

Until he shows at least 30 days of above average production in any pro league, I will be thee of little faith.

Yes

And I'd start him at Memphis, keep him there at least half a season and only call him up if he's really showing something.

[pitchingandefense]

The production downturn for Walker and Gorman has obviously been disappointing over the last two seasons, and I share the pessimism of others here that they can turn it around. But they do have youth and some elite traits on their side. Walker's swing speed is in the 99th percentile and his exit velocities are almost as high. Gorman still maintains good exit velos and launch angles. The massive problem for both of them has been climbing K rates.

Could the newly rebuilt developmental coaching staff help them reach their potential? A big change in swing or approach (or both) is needed. Jo Adell famously floundered for the Angels until he made some swing changes and produced a very solid stat line in 2025 that the advance metrics show could have been even better if not for a lower than expected BABIP.

In our own backyard, prospect Josh Baez was struggling in the minors until he made a swing change that resulted in a breakout season this year. He dropped his K rate 15% from one year to the next, which resulted in an outstanding stat line. He looks like a prospect to be very excited about now.

Whatever changes they make, it looks like they will have the opportunity again in 2026 to showcase their ability since the Cardinals won't be attempting to contend. And we all will get to watch, for better or for worse.