RotoGraphs on Jordan Walker

[Cardinals4Life]

https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/is-jordan ... -breakout/

This is the kind of c r a p that geeks like to spout and think they know baseball. He hits the ball hard? I would hope so! He's a mountain of a man. He doesn’t hit enough line drives? No kidding. Anyone watching him play could tell you that.
There aren't any metrics needed to know he chases terrible pitches all the time. That is OBVIOUS.
Bottom line, lots of big humans can hit a ball hard. Problem is he doesn't do it near enough.

Hope he can fix it, but color me not optimistic.

Largely agree.
Whoever wrote the linked piece knows the data - but doesn't know the game at all.
Fortunately, I do.
Yes, Walker hits the ball hard.
Yes, there is something wrong with his swing which leaves him vulnerable.
But the notion that he hits the ball to the biggest part of the park too often and does not pull enough - and that the solution is for him to focus on increasing his power production to left field - is idiocy.
Of course, it is also the idiocy STL has been feeding him the past couple of years.
The CORRECT BAEBALL ANSWER, as I have accurately and perfectly stated previously, is for him to CLOSE his stance, STOP trying to pull the ball, and focus on doing what he does best: hit the ball hard to the biggest part of the park, where there is the greatest likelihood that those hard-hit balls become hard HITS.
About the only advice the "author" of that piece got right is the conclusion that the best solution is to trade Walker to a team which might be able to help him get on track - which is the path I alone have advised Bloom to take this off-season.
Walker is not likely to find a "fix" with the current STL staff.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Nice that somebody understands baseball. Hits are found in the biggest parts of the field (up the middle, left center to right center).

Absolutely correct.
If trying to pull the ball more was the answer for Walker, it would have been proven over his past 2 seasons of trying to do so.
The Cardinals are telling him to do the exact opposite of what is needed.
Foolishness.

Seems they've been telling a lot of guys the same thing for a while now. (Walker, Noot, DeJong, Matt Carpenter, etc.)

[Melville]

https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/is-jordan ... -breakout/

This is the kind of c r a p that geeks like to spout and think they know baseball. He hits the ball hard? I would hope so! He's a mountain of a man. He doesn’t hit enough line drives? No kidding. Anyone watching him play could tell you that.
There aren't any metrics needed to know he chases terrible pitches all the time. That is OBVIOUS.
Bottom line, lots of big humans can hit a ball hard. Problem is he doesn't do it near enough.

Hope he can fix it, but color me not optimistic.

Largely agree.
Whoever wrote the linked piece knows the data - but doesn't know the game at all.
Fortunately, I do.
Yes, Walker hits the ball hard.
Yes, there is something wrong with his swing which leaves him vulnerable.
But the notion that he hits the ball to the biggest part of the park too often and does not pull enough - and that the solution is for him to focus on increasing his power production to left field - is idiocy.
Of course, it is also the idiocy STL has been feeding him the past couple of years.
The CORRECT BAEBALL ANSWER, as I have accurately and perfectly stated previously, is for him to CLOSE his stance, STOP trying to pull the ball, and focus on doing what he does best: hit the ball hard to the biggest part of the park, where there is the greatest likelihood that those hard-hit balls become hard HITS.
About the only advice the "author" of that piece got right is the conclusion that the best solution is to trade Walker to a team which might be able to help him get on track - which is the path I alone have advised Bloom to take this off-season.
Walker is not likely to find a "fix" with the current STL staff.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Nice that somebody understands baseball. Hits are found in the biggest parts of the field (up the middle, left center to right center).

Absolutely correct.
If trying to pull the ball more was the answer for Walker, it would have been proven over his past 2 seasons of trying to do so.
The Cardinals are telling him to do the exact opposite of what is needed.
Foolishness.

Seems they've been telling a lot of guys the same thing for a while now. (Walker, Noot, DeJong, Matt Carpenter, etc.)

Once again, you are correct.
And in every instance, the Cardinals were demanding the wrong thing.
Ruining careers in the process.

[Cardinals4Life]

https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/is-jordan ... -breakout/

This is the kind of c r a p that geeks like to spout and think they know baseball. He hits the ball hard? I would hope so! He's a mountain of a man. He doesn’t hit enough line drives? No kidding. Anyone watching him play could tell you that.
There aren't any metrics needed to know he chases terrible pitches all the time. That is OBVIOUS.
Bottom line, lots of big humans can hit a ball hard. Problem is he doesn't do it near enough.

Hope he can fix it, but color me not optimistic.

Largely agree.
Whoever wrote the linked piece knows the data - but doesn't know the game at all.
Fortunately, I do.
Yes, Walker hits the ball hard.
Yes, there is something wrong with his swing which leaves him vulnerable.
But the notion that he hits the ball to the biggest part of the park too often and does not pull enough - and that the solution is for him to focus on increasing his power production to left field - is idiocy.
Of course, it is also the idiocy STL has been feeding him the past couple of years.
The CORRECT BAEBALL ANSWER, as I have accurately and perfectly stated previously, is for him to CLOSE his stance, STOP trying to pull the ball, and focus on doing what he does best: hit the ball hard to the biggest part of the park, where there is the greatest likelihood that those hard-hit balls become hard HITS.
About the only advice the "author" of that piece got right is the conclusion that the best solution is to trade Walker to a team which might be able to help him get on track - which is the path I alone have advised Bloom to take this off-season.
Walker is not likely to find a "fix" with the current STL staff.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Nice that somebody understands baseball. Hits are found in the biggest parts of the field (up the middle, left center to right center).

Absolutely correct.
If trying to pull the ball more was the answer for Walker, it would have been proven over his past 2 seasons of trying to do so.
The Cardinals are telling him to do the exact opposite of what is needed.
Foolishness.

Seems they've been telling a lot of guys the same thing for a while now. (Walker, Noot, DeJong, Matt Carpenter, etc.)

Once again, you are correct.
And in every instance, the Cardinals were demanding the wrong thing.
Ruining careers in the process.

Indeed. Carpenter sold out for the long ball. Still got paid handsomely (foolishly by us), but would've been a much better player had he stuck with what got him to The Show in thr first place. DeJong, same story. Had a really good year, then the Cards desperately wanted him to be the 30 HR guy every year. That wasn't him. Noot, same thing. Pull side Flyballs baby!!! Gotta hit those pullside HRs! When in reality, Noot should be a 15 HR year guy who has a high OBP and and can play a serviceable OF in all 3 areas. He is NOT a HR hitter. (Yet the Cards continued to hit him in the MOTO behind Goldy, of all people, for years. Just ignorant!) Walker, just because he is massive, Cards wanted "loft" on his swing after setting a rookie record for most hits to start a Cards career. Unreal!

[ramfandan]

Walker needs improvement in the following areas:

Key Improvement Areas
Swing Mechanics and Ground Ball Rate:
A major focus has been on overhauling his swing to elevate the ball and tap into his elite raw power, which has been capped by a consistently high ground-ball rate (routinely around 45% in the minors and still an issue in the majors). He has been working at Driveline Baseball to keep his back hip from collapsing and improve his launch angle.

Plate Discipline:
Walker needs to improve his pitch recognition and decision-making, specifically by chasing fewer pitches outside the strike zone (especially low and away sliders) and being more aggressive on fastballs in the zone. In 2025, his strikeout rate was nearly 32%, and his walks dropped to 6.4%, which are unsustainable metrics for an everyday player.

Off-Field Preparation:
Hitting coaches have publicly stated that Walker needs to devote more focus to game preparation, including studying film on opposing pitchers (both starters and bullpen arms).

Defensive Consistency:
While he possesses a strong arm, Walker is considered a below-average right fielder and needs to continue improving his reads and overall consistency at the position. Some scouts still project a move to first base in the future if defense doesn't improve.

Mental Approach/Confidence:
After two disappointing MLB seasons, some observers have noted a potential lack of confidence or an inability to adjust mentally to the challenges of the big leagues. Regaining a positive mental approach and confidence is crucial.

Physical Conditioning: He has been given comprehensive meal and nutrition plans, along with strength and agility training, to ensure he is in peak physical condition.

The St. Louis Cardinals plan to give him regular playing time in right field in 2026, assuming he shows real progress in these areas during the offseason and spring training, which will likely determine if he is a core player for the team's future.

Note: Management has not been pleased with Walker's Mental Approach/Urgency area
Remember last year , Oli and Brownie called him out publicly on radio questioning his lack of acceptance to instruction. He also did not impress in pre-game preparation areas. For example, he wasn't pouring over the video of opposing pitchers as he should. Wasn't learning their strengths in how they would get him out . etc.
As in any pro sports, the best players are usually the guys who prepare the best . The game is more mental than physicial . Walker doesn't prepare himself at a high level . It shows .

[ScotchMIrish]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

[Melville]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

The same coaches who ordered the changes that caused the issue to begin with.
The STL coaching staff is utterly clueless about leads to success.
Here is a truth good leaders understand:
Success always comes from maximizing the productivity of an individual's strengths - and not by attempting to turn a weakness into the foundation of achievement.
It is of course wise to limit the detrimental impact of a weakness - but only a fool attempts to turn a weakness into the one thing that will lead to success.
Yet that is what STL is stupidly attempting.
A leader can never make anyone into something he is not.
Amazing the Cardinals' staff is too daft to understand that.

[ecleme22]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

The same coaches who ordered the changes that caused the issue to begin with.
The STL coaching staff is utterly clueless about leads to success.
Here is a truth good leaders understand:
Success always comes from maximizing the productivity of an individual's strengths - and not by attempting to turn a weakness into the foundation of achievement.
It is of course wise to limit the detrimental impact of a weakness - but only a fool attempts to turn a weakness into the one thing that will lead to success.
Yet that is what STL is stupidly attempting.
A leader can never make anyone into something he is not.
Amazing the Cardinals' staff is too daft to understand that.

After Donovan’s really good rookie year, the org was like, “we are gonna try to increase his power!”

It’s like, just leave him alone.

I think they tried overengineering JW after his rookie year.

[Hoosier59]

I will believe it when I see the breakout. Unless he learns to lay off the low and away breaking ball off the plate, and stops taking strike one right down the middle, it really matters little what his back hip is doing. The kid needs to relax, and swing at strikes. I am not saying it is an easy thing to do, but if cannot reset his whole approach to ABs, then he will continue to struggle. See the ball, hit the ball, swing at strikes. Sounds easy.....but this isn't slow pitch. Some guys can, some guys cannot. Stormin' Norman is a mistake pitch hitter who cannot lay off the high fastball. Again, another guy who needs to adjust his approach. Hopefully these guys can do that. Donovan is a guy who consistently takes good ABs. I will miss him....

AMEN!

[ScotchMIrish]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

The same coaches who ordered the changes that caused the issue to begin with.
The STL coaching staff is utterly clueless about leads to success.
Here is a truth good leaders understand:
Success always comes from maximizing the productivity of an individual's strengths - and not by attempting to turn a weakness into the foundation of achievement.
It is of course wise to limit the detrimental impact of a weakness - but only a fool attempts to turn a weakness into the one thing that will lead to success.
Yet that is what STL is stupidly attempting.
A leader can never make anyone into something he is not.
Amazing the Cardinals' staff is too daft to understand that.

As a rookie he was doing good at a very young age. Then they started tinkering. How did Musial ever get 3,630 hits without a bunch of hitting instructors trying to turn him into a robot and change that unusual stance?

[Melville]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

The same coaches who ordered the changes that caused the issue to begin with.
The STL coaching staff is utterly clueless about leads to success.
Here is a truth good leaders understand:
Success always comes from maximizing the productivity of an individual's strengths - and not by attempting to turn a weakness into the foundation of achievement.
It is of course wise to limit the detrimental impact of a weakness - but only a fool attempts to turn a weakness into the one thing that will lead to success.
Yet that is what STL is stupidly attempting.
A leader can never make anyone into something he is not.
Amazing the Cardinals' staff is too daft to understand that.

After Donovan’s really good rookie year, the org was like, “we are gonna try to increase his power!”

It’s like, just leave him alone.

I think they tried overengineering JW after his rookie year.

Correct.

[Melville]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

The same coaches who ordered the changes that caused the issue to begin with.
The STL coaching staff is utterly clueless about leads to success.
Here is a truth good leaders understand:
Success always comes from maximizing the productivity of an individual's strengths - and not by attempting to turn a weakness into the foundation of achievement.
It is of course wise to limit the detrimental impact of a weakness - but only a fool attempts to turn a weakness into the one thing that will lead to success.
Yet that is what STL is stupidly attempting.
A leader can never make anyone into something he is not.
Amazing the Cardinals' staff is too daft to understand that.

As a rookie he was doing good at a very young age. Then they started tinkering. How did Musial ever get 3,630 hits without a bunch of hitting instructors trying to turn him into a robot and change that unusual stance?

Excellent observation.

[dugoutrex]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

The same coaches who ordered the changes that caused the issue to begin with.
The STL coaching staff is utterly clueless about leads to success.
Here is a truth good leaders understand:
Success always comes from maximizing the productivity of an individual's strengths - and not by attempting to turn a weakness into the foundation of achievement.
It is of course wise to limit the detrimental impact of a weakness - but only a fool attempts to turn a weakness into the one thing that will lead to success.
Yet that is what STL is stupidly attempting.
A leader can never make anyone into something he is not.
Amazing the Cardinals' staff is too daft to understand that.

After Donovan’s really good rookie year, the org was like, “we are gonna try to increase his power!”

It’s like, just leave him alone.

I think they tried overengineering JW after his rookie year.

Correct.

nope - the league adjusted and Jordan couldn't or wouldn't

[Melville]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

The same coaches who ordered the changes that caused the issue to begin with.
The STL coaching staff is utterly clueless about leads to success.
Here is a truth good leaders understand:
Success always comes from maximizing the productivity of an individual's strengths - and not by attempting to turn a weakness into the foundation of achievement.
It is of course wise to limit the detrimental impact of a weakness - but only a fool attempts to turn a weakness into the one thing that will lead to success.
Yet that is what STL is stupidly attempting.
A leader can never make anyone into something he is not.
Amazing the Cardinals' staff is too daft to understand that.

After Donovan’s really good rookie year, the org was like, “we are gonna try to increase his power!”

It’s like, just leave him alone.

I think they tried overengineering JW after his rookie year.

Correct.

nope - the league adjusted and Jordan couldn't or wouldn't

Incorrect.
It was Walker who made an adjustment as demanded by the Cardinals.

[zuck698]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

The same coaches who ordered the changes that caused the issue to begin with.
The STL coaching staff is utterly clueless about leads to success.
Here is a truth good leaders understand:
Success always comes from maximizing the productivity of an individual's strengths - and not by attempting to turn a weakness into the foundation of achievement.
It is of course wise to limit the detrimental impact of a weakness - but only a fool attempts to turn a weakness into the one thing that will lead to success.
Yet that is what STL is stupidly attempting.
A leader can never make anyone into something he is not.
Amazing the Cardinals' staff is too daft to understand that.

After Donovan’s really good rookie year, the org was like, “we are gonna try to increase his power!”

It’s like, just leave him alone.

I think they tried overengineering JW after his rookie year.

Correct.

nope - the league adjusted and Jordan couldn't or wouldn't

Incorrect.
It was Walker who made an adjustment as demanded by the Cardinals.

I think it may have been a combination of both. The pitchers adjust to Jordan, while coaches are wanting adjustments in Walker's approach. It is not always clearly just one thing.

[Melville]

With Walker lack of maturity has held him back. Mentally was not buying in to coaching instructions. Heard that this offseason he finally is realizing that to improve he must buy in as his’ way not working.
Like in most sports at thr highest levels, you play the game from the neck up .
We will see this spring if his offseason work has paid off.

Who put out that information? The coaches?

The same coaches who ordered the changes that caused the issue to begin with.
The STL coaching staff is utterly clueless about leads to success.
Here is a truth good leaders understand:
Success always comes from maximizing the productivity of an individual's strengths - and not by attempting to turn a weakness into the foundation of achievement.
It is of course wise to limit the detrimental impact of a weakness - but only a fool attempts to turn a weakness into the one thing that will lead to success.
Yet that is what STL is stupidly attempting.
A leader can never make anyone into something he is not.
Amazing the Cardinals' staff is too daft to understand that.

After Donovan’s really good rookie year, the org was like, “we are gonna try to increase his power!”

It’s like, just leave him alone.

I think they tried overengineering JW after his rookie year.

Correct.

nope - the league adjusted and Jordan couldn't or wouldn't

Incorrect.
It was Walker who made an adjustment as demanded by the Cardinals.

I think it may have been a combination of both. The pitchers adjust to Jordan, while coaches are wanting adjustments in Walker's approach. It is not always clearly just one thing.

Very fair assessment.

[cardsrmyteam]

All the corrections are correct and a result of a front office that doesn't know how to teach. These are simple guys. This is a result of a lack of instruction coming from the bowtie former regime.

Let's see how next year goes. Reports are good, the real reports.