Tough situation with Walker

[rockondlouie]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

Level swing? MLB players don't have a level swing. Instead, the best have a swing that looks similar to a Nike Swoosh. IOWs, they attempt to match the plane of a pitch. From The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams:

Nice, thx for sharing

And notice Williams lower body/stride.........something J. Walker lacks.

[OldRed]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

I would be also.

[Rocket Scientist]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

Level swing? MLB players don't have a level swing. Instead, the best have a swing that looks similar to a Nike Swoosh. IOWs, they attempt to match the plane of a pitch. From The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams:

Albert Pujols swing was analyzed by Wash U his swing in the zone was higher than anyone's. It's level to the ball, not to the ground.

[blackinkbiz]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

All this does is remind me that the idiots in charge of player development--which was, apparently, before this season, a couple of iPads plugged into the weight room wall--screweed up Walker's development more than any other org could have. You don't tell the public that a 19-year-old rookie (who just tied the record for most consecutive games with a hit to start a career) that he needs to revamp his swing at the MLB level WHILE learning the outfield WHILE being a rookie WHILE still a teenager WHILE being a first-time starter.

The best week of his rookie season was in September of 23 so clearly, he was not only putting up sufficient numbers, he was improving. And this is why you don't put a jack*ss with 0 mlb experience (neither playing nor coaching) in charge of an MLB team and its development.

All we can do now is hope the damage done wasn't permament and the kid is still young enough to bounce back with proper tutelage.

[dugoutrex]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

the league adjusted and since then ... Jordan has been total dog sheet - I'd say he is what he is at this point

[Voldemort]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

Level swing? MLB players don't have a level swing. Instead, the best have a swing that looks similar to a Nike Swoosh. IOWs, they attempt to match the plane of a pitch. From The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams:

Albert Pujols swing was analyzed by Wash U his swing in the zone was higher than anyone's. It's level to the ball, not to the ground.

Meaning ---- matching the plane of the pitch, which I posted and which Ted Williams discussed. Also, I have as many Pujols swings as anyone. I have broken them down and used them in coaching.

[LewisL]

I feel Walker has worse issues than his actual swing mechanics. His pitch recognition is horrible, with no understanding of the strike zone at all. A "fundamentally sound" swing wouldn't really matter when he swings at bad pitches out of the zone and just looking at strikes over the plate like he'd been doing.

[moose-and-squirrel]

I feel Walker has worse issues than his actual swing mechanics. His pitch recognition is horrible, with no understanding of the strike zone at all. A "fundamentally sound" swing wouldn't really matter when he swings at bad pitches out of the zone and just looking at strikes over the plate like he'd been doing.

considering what they were calling a 'strike' on him last year, I can see why he has bad zone recognition

[blackinkbiz]

I feel Walker has worse issues than his actual swing mechanics. His pitch recognition is horrible, with no understanding of the strike zone at all. A "fundamentally sound" swing wouldn't really matter when he swings at bad pitches out of the zone and just looking at strikes over the plate like he'd been doing.

considering what they were calling a 'strike' on him last year, I can see why he has bad zone recognition

I'd have to look back through my historical posts but I did the research and Walker was around 15th in MLB for hitters who've had the most pitches thrown outside of the zone being called strikes, so there's definitely some validity to him being cheated by the umps.

Additionally, and this is to LewisL, while I most certainly agree his pitch recognition and inability to hit a fastball have been flat out pathetic the past 2 seasons, if a hitter is in his head and overthinking, he's in his head and overthinking.

An MLB hitter has a fraction of a second to decide and react. If one part of the hitting process is off, it's not difficult for the entire process to suffer, especially for young hitters.

Not giving him a pass. He hasn't helped himself but I still put this 50/50 on Walker and the FO/Staff.

He's been a trainwreck so imo it makes no sense to start him at MLB in 26 unless he's earned it. Let him earn everything from day 1 of Spring Training and if he isn't killing it the first 3 weeks in FL, I hope they do the smart thing and start the kid at AAA.

[C-Unit]

I feel Walker has worse issues than his actual swing mechanics. His pitch recognition is horrible, with no understanding of the strike zone at all. A "fundamentally sound" swing wouldn't really matter when he swings at bad pitches out of the zone and just looking at strikes over the plate like he'd been doing.

considering what they were calling a 'strike' on him last year, I can see why he has bad zone recognition

I'd have to look back through my historical posts but I did the research and Walker was around 15th in MLB for hitters who've had the most pitches thrown outside of the zone being called strikes, so there's definitely some validity to him being cheated by the umps.

Additionally, and this is to LewisL, while I most certainly agree his pitch recognition and inability to hit a fastball have been flat out pathetic the past 2 seasons, if a hitter is in his head and overthinking, he's in his head and overthinking.

An MLB hitter has a fraction of a second to decide and react. If one part of the hitting process is off, it's not difficult for the entire process to suffer, especially for young hitters.

Not giving him a pass. He hasn't helped himself but I still put this 50/50 on Walker and the FO/Staff.

He's been a trainwreck so imo it makes no sense to start him at MLB in 26 unless he's earned it. Let him earn everything from day 1 of Spring Training and if he isn't killing it the first 3 weeks in FL, I hope they do the smart thing and start the kid at AAA.

That certainly sounds like the most reasonable time to make that decision if it needs to be made.