Goold post on Walker making significant changes

[DewittDaman11]

Here's a quote from Goold's article today on STLToday:

"The Driveline assessment confirmed what he sensed and what he and the Cardinals worked to change during the season: His back hip was collapsing. He was drifting forward in his stance, losing the anchor of that back hip and making him dive after pitches. That’s unplugged his power.

He was given drills that involve resistance bands and swing training to work on keeping his back hip firm and rotating from there.

“If you look at how I’m going to the ball, how I’m attacking the ball, my bat stays a little more still and it goes a little more direct, but also I’m not falling as much forward,” Walker said. “If you pull up an at-bat, 90% of them you would see a leak forward. I would leak forward a little early. It looks like a fall, and I feel like the drills are really helping me get rid of that. I can feel the difference. Now, it’s about getting that as muscle memory where I’m not thinking about it as much. I can just sit in that back hip and fire from there.”

That description alone hints at how else that stance will help him."

Can they teach him pitch recognition? If he doesn't learn that, and understand how they are setting him up and getting him out, then he will still have troubles. Same with Gorman. I certainly hope for improvement and wish both of them success, but they just aren't very smart about their approaches so far....

Yep, 1,000+++

[Galatians221jb1]

Here's a quote from Goold's article today on STLToday:

"The Driveline assessment confirmed what he sensed and what he and the Cardinals worked to change during the season: His back hip was collapsing. He was drifting forward in his stance, losing the anchor of that back hip and making him dive after pitches. That’s unplugged his power.

He was given drills that involve resistance bands and swing training to work on keeping his back hip firm and rotating from there.

“If you look at how I’m going to the ball, how I’m attacking the ball, my bat stays a little more still and it goes a little more direct, but also I’m not falling as much forward,” Walker said. “If you pull up an at-bat, 90% of them you would see a leak forward. I would leak forward a little early. It looks like a fall, and I feel like the drills are really helping me get rid of that. I can feel the difference. Now, it’s about getting that as muscle memory where I’m not thinking about it as much. I can just sit in that back hip and fire from there.”

That description alone hints at how else that stance will help him."

Can they teach him pitch recognition? If he doesn't learn that, and understand how they are setting him up and getting him out, then he will still have troubles. Same with Gorman. I certainly hope for improvement and wish both of them success, but they just aren't very smart about their approaches so far....

Yep, 1,000+++

Walker often takes a fastball down the middle for strike three. He’s obviously guessing curveball. Whitey, Tony or any good manager would put a stop to that. If you’re waiting on a fastball you can adjust to the breaking ball but if you’re waiting on a breaking ball then you get a fastball you’re helpless. He evidently guesses breaking ball at beginning of the count because he just stands there until he’s 0-2. Again, no good teaching manager would put up with that. Tell him if he wants to watch the game then go buy a ticket.

[Cusecards]

Here's a quote from Goold's article today on STLToday:

"The Driveline assessment confirmed what he sensed and what he and the Cardinals worked to change during the season: His back hip was collapsing. He was drifting forward in his stance, losing the anchor of that back hip and making him dive after pitches. That’s unplugged his power.

He was given drills that involve resistance bands and swing training to work on keeping his back hip firm and rotating from there.

“If you look at how I’m going to the ball, how I’m attacking the ball, my bat stays a little more still and it goes a little more direct, but also I’m not falling as much forward,” Walker said. “If you pull up an at-bat, 90% of them you would see a leak forward. I would leak forward a little early. It looks like a fall, and I feel like the drills are really helping me get rid of that. I can feel the difference. Now, it’s about getting that as muscle memory where I’m not thinking about it as much. I can just sit in that back hip and fire from there.”

That description alone hints at how else that stance will help him."

Can they teach him pitch recognition? If he doesn't learn that, and understand how they are setting him up and getting him out, then he will still have troubles. Same with Gorman. I certainly hope for improvement and wish both of them success, but they just aren't very smart about their approaches so far....

Good points.
When watching Walker you have to wonder about his “mental approach”?
He doesn’t chase as much as Gorman who to me is worse. Gorman has that perpetual “deer in the headlights” look most AB’s.
Walker seems to “freeze” up at the plate.
Is he a chronic “guess hitter”???
That’s what I wonder when he stares at 3-2 right down the middle.
Guesses wrong and just stands there?????

[renostl]

See how ST goes, but if there is no significant improvement, then he needs to start in the Minors. He is strong and athletic, but his swing is lacking and his defense is average.

I disagree. He starts in the minors regardless of ST. He needs to earn it back...ST indicates AA, or AAA

I'd just stick him at AA

I understand the fatigue with JW.

He has four months to show change. He should start where he earns to start. IF that's AA then fine,
I just don't fully understand the predetermined outcomes. Why promote another player over him
that isn't as far along as JW?

The quotes from driveline, JW, and Goold are spot on IMO. He never needed to attempt
to get more out of his swing. He did, he chased, he lost balance, he was often uncomfortable
in the AB and guessed. We'll see what he does when balanced, with comfort in an AB
good or bad rather soon in ST.

I wouldn't give him a roster spot, but I wouldn't make it unavailable either.

With the absolute mess he got into he still showed some skills, some early success
might, might, get buy in to the system.

[renostl]

Here's a quote from Goold's article today on STLToday:

"The Driveline assessment confirmed what he sensed and what he and the Cardinals worked to change during the season: His back hip was collapsing. He was drifting forward in his stance, losing the anchor of that back hip and making him dive after pitches. That’s unplugged his power.

He was given drills that involve resistance bands and swing training to work on keeping his back hip firm and rotating from there.

“If you look at how I’m going to the ball, how I’m attacking the ball, my bat stays a little more still and it goes a little more direct, but also I’m not falling as much forward,” Walker said. “If you pull up an at-bat, 90% of them you would see a leak forward. I would leak forward a little early. It looks like a fall, and I feel like the drills are really helping me get rid of that. I can feel the difference. Now, it’s about getting that as muscle memory where I’m not thinking about it as much. I can just sit in that back hip and fire from there.”

That description alone hints at how else that stance will help him."

Can they teach him pitch recognition? If he doesn't learn that, and understand how they are setting him up and getting him out, then he will still have troubles. Same with Gorman. I certainly hope for improvement and wish both of them success, but they just aren't very smart about their approaches so far....

Good points.
When watching Walker you have to wonder about his “mental approach”?
He doesn’t chase as much as Gorman who to me is worse. Gorman has that perpetual “deer in the headlights” look most AB’s.
Walker seems to “freeze” up at the plate.
Is he a chronic “guess hitter”???
That’s what I wonder when he stares at 3-2 right down the middle.
Guesses wrong and just stands there?????

Agree with the observations.
Difficult to look good with low confidence, bad balance, and then
guessing especially when behind in the count.

2025
When ahead in the count .241/.432/.345/.777
when he was in a even count .278/.284/.421/.705

at least some positive in those unlike what his behind
in the count numbers showed

.140/.146/.175/.321

He had only 118 PA while ahead in the count
144 PA behind in the count, with 134 even.

[Melville]

Walker would do well to study videos of George Hendrick.
Hendrick had a flat quick swing and a closed batting stance.
It allowed him to cover the outside edge and drive balls with authority.
And he was quick enough with his hands to turn on balls in the middle of the zone - or pull his hands in and let his short level swing pull the ball.
This is EXACTLY what Walker needs to do.
He naturally makes hard contact, so he does not need to cheat on inside pitches - and yet that is exactly what he does.
And because is too often looking middle in with his overly open stance, it leaves him susceptible to every pitch which breaks away.
In other words, Walker does the precise opposite of what he should be doing - and is doing so at the urging of the Cardinals.
The best thing that could happen for him is to be traded to an organization with competent coaches.

[Absolut]

Well. Buchnevich scored tonight so anything is possible.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

I am an optimist by nature. But also a realist. I'd love to see Walker emerge as the guy we pegged him as when he was the 3rd ranked prospect in all of baseball.

But I won't jump on any bandwagon that he is finding something. When he opens with a solid month complete with power and looks comfortable hitting I'll get on the train.

[scoutyjones2]

See how ST goes, but if there is no significant improvement, then he needs to start in the Minors. He is strong and athletic, but his swing is lacking and his defense is average.

I disagree. He starts in the minors regardless of ST. He needs to earn it back...ST indicates AA, or AAA

I'd just stick him at AA

I understand the fatigue with JW.

He has four months to show change. He should start where he earns to start. IF that's AA then fine,
I just don't fully understand the predetermined outcomes. Why promote another player over him
that isn't as far along as JW?

The quotes from driveline, JW, and Goold are spot on IMO. He never needed to attempt
to get more out of his swing. He did, he chased, he lost balance, he was often uncomfortable
in the AB and guessed. We'll see what he does when balanced, with comfort in an AB
good or bad rather soon in ST.

I wouldn't give him a roster spot, but I wouldn't make it unavailable either.

With the absolute mess he got into he still showed some skills, some early success
might, might, get buy in to the system.

JW is not far along. He's degrading. Negative WAR, still horrible D and can't hit worth a (bleep)

[imetsatchelpaige]

Walker would do well to study videos of George Hendrick.
Hendrick had a flat quick swing and a closed batting stance.
It allowed him to cover the outside edge and drive balls with authority.
And he was quick enough with his hands to turn on balls in the middle of the zone - or pull his hands in and let his short level swing pull the ball.
This is EXACTLY what Walker needs to do.
He naturally makes hard contact, so he does not need to cheat on inside pitches - and yet that is exactly what he does.
And because is too often looking middle in with his overly open stance, it leaves him susceptible to every pitch which breaks away.
In other words, Walker does the precise opposite of what he should be doing - and is doing so at the urging of the Cardinals.
The best thing that could happen for him is to be traded to an organization with competent coaches.

Excellent point.

[Ozziesfan41]

Walker would do well to study videos of George Hendrick.
Hendrick had a flat quick swing and a closed batting stance.
It allowed him to cover the outside edge and drive balls with authority.
And he was quick enough with his hands to turn on balls in the middle of the zone - or pull his hands in and let his short level swing pull the ball.
This is EXACTLY what Walker needs to do.
He naturally makes hard contact, so he does not need to cheat on inside pitches - and yet that is exactly what he does.
And because is too often looking middle in with his overly open stance, it leaves him susceptible to every pitch which breaks away.
In other words, Walker does the precise opposite of what he should be doing - and is doing so at the urging of the Cardinals.
The best thing that could happen for him is to be traded to an organization with competent coaches.

His problem isn’t that it’s pitch recognition. He can’t tell the difference between what is a fast ball right down the middle and a sweeper out of the strike zone. The balls he swings at and misses that are outside he’s not going to be able to take the other way he would need a boat oar to make contact and then of course he stares at pitches right down the middle. The first thing and second thing he needs to is number one fix his head he defeats himself in the batters box more than the pitcher ever does. You can see it if he gets a bad call you can see on his face the at bats over he’s going to strike out and when he gets two strikes he always steps out takes a deep breath and you can see it on his face he’s done he’s going to strike out as soon as he gets back in because mentally he’s done the other thing is pitch recognition. Unless he fixes his head and pitch recognition it won’t matter the plate approach because even if he starts going the other way they just throw him further outside and he will keep chasing and without pitch recognition good swing mechanics mean nothing

[Galatians221jb1]

Walker would do well to study videos of George Hendrick.
Hendrick had a flat quick swing and a closed batting stance.
It allowed him to cover the outside edge and drive balls with authority.
And he was quick enough with his hands to turn on balls in the middle of the zone - or pull his hands in and let his short level swing pull the ball.
This is EXACTLY what Walker needs to do.
He naturally makes hard contact, so he does not need to cheat on inside pitches - and yet that is exactly what he does.
And because is too often looking middle in with his overly open stance, it leaves him susceptible to every pitch which breaks away.
In other words, Walker does the precise opposite of what he should be doing - and is doing so at the urging of the Cardinals.
The best thing that could happen for him is to be traded to an organization with competent coaches.

I’d go with consulting with Dave Winfield. He and Walker played at 6’6” and 240 pounds. I think Walker is too erect like Hendrick. Winfield had over 3,000 hits, close to 500 homers and a .286 lifetime BA. I think Winfield also won 6-7 Gold Gloves and of course is in the HOF.

[Voldemort]

Walker would do well to study videos of George Hendrick.
Hendrick had a flat quick swing and a closed batting stance.
It allowed him to cover the outside edge and drive balls with authority.
And he was quick enough with his hands to turn on balls in the middle of the zone - or pull his hands in and let his short level swing pull the ball.
This is EXACTLY what Walker needs to do.
He naturally makes hard contact, so he does not need to cheat on inside pitches - and yet that is exactly what he does.
And because is too often looking middle in with his overly open stance, it leaves him susceptible to every pitch which breaks away.
In other words, Walker does the precise opposite of what he should be doing - and is doing so at the urging of the Cardinals.
The best thing that could happen for him is to be traded to an organization with competent coaches.

I’d go with consulting with Dave Winfield. He and Walker played at 6’6” and 240 pounds. I think Walker is too erect like Hendrick. Winfield had over 3,000 hits, close to 500 homers and a .286 lifetime BA. I think Winfield also won 6-7 Gold Gloves and of course is in the HOF.

YUP!

[redbirdfan51]

I think the 2026 season when he turns 24, is the key if he remains with the Cardinals. Hope he has the season we expect from him and stays.

[renostl]

See how ST goes, but if there is no significant improvement, then he needs to start in the Minors. He is strong and athletic, but his swing is lacking and his defense is average.

I disagree. He starts in the minors regardless of ST. He needs to earn it back...ST indicates AA, or AAA

I'd just stick him at AA

I understand the fatigue with JW.

He has four months to show change. He should start where he earns to start. IF that's AA then fine,
I just don't fully understand the predetermined outcomes. Why promote another player over him
that isn't as far along as JW?

The quotes from driveline, JW, and Goold are spot on IMO. He never needed to attempt
to get more out of his swing. He did, he chased, he lost balance, he was often uncomfortable
in the AB and guessed. We'll see what he does when balanced, with comfort in an AB
good or bad rather soon in ST.

I wouldn't give him a roster spot, but I wouldn't make it unavailable either.

With the absolute mess he got into he still showed some skills, some early success
might, might, get buy in to the system.

JW is not far along. He's degrading. Negative WAR, still horrible D and can't hit worth a (drat)

Who said anything about being far along.
Every fan of MLB are aware of his failures.

Prediction of more failures is simple and not productive. The guy needs to produce. If he doesn't give him your brainstorm thought of starting in MiLB.
Do that though because that's the level that the player earned to be. Not because some chat guys wanting to be right say that where he should start.

[scoutyjones2]

See how ST goes, but if there is no significant improvement, then he needs to start in the Minors. He is strong and athletic, but his swing is lacking and his defense is average.

I disagree. He starts in the minors regardless of ST. He needs to earn it back...ST indicates AA, or AAA

I'd just stick him at AA

I understand the fatigue with JW.

He has four months to show change. He should start where he earns to start. IF that's AA then fine,
I just don't fully understand the predetermined outcomes. Why promote another player over him
that isn't as far along as JW?

The quotes from driveline, JW, and Goold are spot on IMO. He never needed to attempt
to get more out of his swing. He did, he chased, he lost balance, he was often uncomfortable
in the AB and guessed. We'll see what he does when balanced, with comfort in an AB
good or bad rather soon in ST.

I wouldn't give him a roster spot, but I wouldn't make it unavailable either.

With the absolute mess he got into he still showed some skills, some early success
might, might, get buy in to the system.

JW is not far along. He's degrading. Negative WAR, still horrible D and can't hit worth a (drat)

Who said anything about being far along.
Every fan of MLB are aware of his failures.

Prediction of more failures is simple and not productive. The guy needs to produce. If he doesn't give him your brainstorm thought of starting in MiLB.
Do that though because that's the level that the player earned to be. Not because some chat guys wanting to be right say that where he should start.

Why promote another player over him
that isn't as far along as JW?

I responded to this statement, that you posted.