What to do with Walker?

[cardstatman]

If Walker's knee is not 100% yet, there would seem to be no reason not to let Walker DH and Burleson play RF.

Defensively in RF, they are not all that different.

[Goldfan]

Walker seems like a good kid who wants to succeed. Says all the right things. But let's face it...he's a dumpster fire at the plate. Didn't hit AAA or MLB pitching at all last season and has not hit a lick this spring.

He hit 8 home runs in his last two months for Memphis w/ an .800+ OPS. That’s a lick.

I see no reason to send him back to AAA. Even if he struggles, he’s better off struggling against major league pitching and making adjustments.

Haven't watched an at bat this preseason.

If he is still using the stance where his front foot is pointed at third base:

He will not hit worth a lick.

This afternoon…

Looks good.

So someone convinced him to close stance and stop with the up on toe nonsense……only been pointing this out for over a year
I’ll contract my services to the Cards for a fairly minimal fee

[hilton head is 4 idiots]

Walker seems like a good kid who wants to succeed. Says all the right things. But let's face it...he's a dumpster fire at the plate. Didn't hit AAA or MLB pitching at all last season and has not hit a lick this spring.

He hit 8 home runs in his last two months for Memphis w/ an .800+ OPS. That’s a lick.

I see no reason to send him back to AAA. Even if he struggles, he’s better off struggling against major league pitching and making adjustments.

Haven't watched an at bat this preseason.

If he is still using the stance where his front foot is pointed at third base:

He will not hit worth a lick.

This afternoon…

Looks good.

Walker lost a full week of baseball activities with his knee injury, setting him behind.

If Oli would start him every game instead of every other game, then I could see keeping on the big club.

Give him 25 at bats in the next 7 games.

They have 5 more opportunities? Unless he’s able to be in Port St Lucie and Jupiter at the same time, which would be quite a tool.

Yes my mistake for not realizing Thursday was an off day and 2 split squad games. Thanks for correcting me. So 5 games give him minimum 15 at bats (3 per game) and maybe 4 in some games.

My point is unlike the failed Gorman, Walker did have success in both St Louis and Memphis in 2024. Give walk 15-18 more spring training at bats and turn him loose.

[Futuregm2]

Walker seems like a good kid who wants to succeed. Says all the right things. But let's face it...he's a dumpster fire at the plate. Didn't hit AAA or MLB pitching at all last season and has not hit a lick this spring.

He hit 8 home runs in his last two months for Memphis w/ an .800+ OPS. That’s a lick.

I see no reason to send him back to AAA. Even if he struggles, he’s better off struggling against major league pitching and making adjustments.

Haven't watched an at bat this preseason.

If he is still using the stance where his front foot is pointed at third base:

He will not hit worth a lick.

This afternoon…

Looks good.

Walker lost a full week of baseball activities with his knee injury, setting him behind.

If Oli would start him every game instead of every other game, then I could see keeping on the big club.

Give him 25 at bats in the next 7 games.

They have 5 more opportunities? Unless he’s able to be in Port St Lucie and Jupiter at the same time, which would be quite a tool.

Yes my mistake for not realizing Thursday was an off day and 2 split squad games. Thanks for correcting me. So 5 games give him minimum 15 at bats (3 per game) and maybe 4 in some games.

My point is unlike the failed Gorman, Walker did have success in both St Louis and Memphis in 2024. Give walk 15-18 more spring training at bats and turn him loose.

You can always tell when a player lives rent free in your head, you bring him up in conversations where it isn’t even about him. But Gorman also had a better OPS than Walker in St. Louis in 2023, in St. Louis in 2024, in Memphis in 2024, and in ST so far. Of the 2 he’s the only one that has put up a 2+ bWAR in a season.

[ilcubuffs]

Mr Walker needs a Nuke LaLoosh approach (Bull Durham). 'Breathe through your eyelids." Let your skills rule. Not the women's panties or garter belt per se. Remaking his skills is just stupid.

Walker is a very bright young man. Find that MLB competent hitting guru who can communicate with him, gain his trust, and salvage his talent. Make the investment. IF Walker's hitting approach is wrong, sending him to Busch, AAA, AA , etc with the same hitting issues does zip. Perpetuates failure.

Gorman is simple - why expend anymore resources, time, or effort?

[Baseball Savant]

I play him in the bigs all season. All 162 games if healthy.

He either finds success or crashes and burns

At least we will know for 2026

yes!!!

Make or break time, play the man

[hilton head is 4 idiots]

Walker seems like a good kid who wants to succeed. Says all the right things. But let's face it...he's a dumpster fire at the plate. Didn't hit AAA or MLB pitching at all last season and has not hit a lick this spring.

He hit 8 home runs in his last two months for Memphis w/ an .800+ OPS. That’s a lick.

I see no reason to send him back to AAA. Even if he struggles, he’s better off struggling against major league pitching and making adjustments.

Haven't watched an at bat this preseason.

If he is still using the stance where his front foot is pointed at third base:

He will not hit worth a lick.

This afternoon…

Looks good.

Walker lost a full week of baseball activities with his knee injury, setting him behind.

If Oli would start him every game instead of every other game, then I could see keeping on the big club.

Give him 25 at bats in the next 7 games.

They have 5 more opportunities? Unless he’s able to be in Port St Lucie and Jupiter at the same time, which would be quite a tool.

Yes my mistake for not realizing Thursday was an off day and 2 split squad games. Thanks for correcting me. So 5 games give him minimum 15 at bats (3 per game) and maybe 4 in some games.

My point is unlike the failed Gorman, Walker did have success in both St Louis and Memphis in 2024. Give walk 15-18 more spring training at bats and turn him loose.

You can always tell when a player lives rent free in your head, you bring him up in conversations where it isn’t even about him. But Gorman also had a better OPS than Walker in St. Louis in 2023, in St. Louis in 2024, in Memphis in 2024, and in ST so far. Of the 2 he’s the only one that has put up a 2+ bWAR in a season.

Forum discussions have involved both Walker and Gorman so as opening day approaches they are intertwined in the opening day roster talks.

BUT, that's the difference between guys who live and die by the silly alphabet (bleep) and someone like me who actually understands the game.

You're worried about all the silly alphabet numbers on the 3rd Tuesday of the month with temperature above 73 degrees and humidity below 42%.

Me? I'm looking at runs produced and how consistently they produce them, how they have improved, or how they have declined.

Walker had a solid rookie season and should have been left alone.

2024 saw struggling and a demotion for Walker. He finally saw some success late for Memphis and also success in St Louis the last month. So to me, he is improving.

Gorman was handed GUARANTEED PLAYING TIME for 4 1/2 months including 2 slumps that each lasted a month or longer. You love all the alphabet (bleep), go look how much he declined in every category except strikeouts from the early couple of years of his career. This will be his 4th season, and he has failed miserably his last 3 stops.

2024 St Louis
2024 Memphis
2025 Spring Training

I want the T-E-A-M TO DO WELL. Having a player like Gorman on the roster adds nothing.

[Futuregm2]

Walker seems like a good kid who wants to succeed. Says all the right things. But let's face it...he's a dumpster fire at the plate. Didn't hit AAA or MLB pitching at all last season and has not hit a lick this spring.

He hit 8 home runs in his last two months for Memphis w/ an .800+ OPS. That’s a lick.

I see no reason to send him back to AAA. Even if he struggles, he’s better off struggling against major league pitching and making adjustments.

Haven't watched an at bat this preseason.

If he is still using the stance where his front foot is pointed at third base:

He will not hit worth a lick.

This afternoon…

Looks good.

Walker lost a full week of baseball activities with his knee injury, setting him behind.

If Oli would start him every game instead of every other game, then I could see keeping on the big club.

Give him 25 at bats in the next 7 games.

They have 5 more opportunities? Unless he’s able to be in Port St Lucie and Jupiter at the same time, which would be quite a tool.

Yes my mistake for not realizing Thursday was an off day and 2 split squad games. Thanks for correcting me. So 5 games give him minimum 15 at bats (3 per game) and maybe 4 in some games.

My point is unlike the failed Gorman, Walker did have success in both St Louis and Memphis in 2024. Give walk 15-18 more spring training at bats and turn him loose.

You can always tell when a player lives rent free in your head, you bring him up in conversations where it isn’t even about him. But Gorman also had a better OPS than Walker in St. Louis in 2023, in St. Louis in 2024, in Memphis in 2024, and in ST so far. Of the 2 he’s the only one that has put up a 2+ bWAR in a season.

Forum discussions have involved both Walker and Gorman so as opening day approaches they are intertwined in the opening day roster talks.

BUT, that's the difference between guys who live and die by the silly alphabet (bleep) and someone like me who actually understands the game.

You're worried about all the silly alphabet numbers on the 3rd Tuesday of the month with temperature above 73 degrees and humidity below 42%.

Me? I'm looking at runs produced and how consistently they produce them, how they have improved, or how they have declined.

Walker had a solid rookie season and should have been left alone.

2024 saw struggling and a demotion for Walker. He finally saw some success late for Memphis and also success in St Louis the last month. So to me, he is improving.

Gorman was handed GUARANTEED PLAYING TIME for 4 1/2 months including 2 slumps that each lasted a month or longer. You love all the alphabet (bleep), go look how much he declined in every category except strikeouts from the early couple of years of his career. This will be his 4th season, and he has failed miserably his last 3 stops.

2024 St Louis
2024 Memphis
2025 Spring Training

I want the T-E-A-M TO DO WELL. Having a player like Gorman on the roster adds nothing.

A) Nobody here has been more upset about the Walker jerking around than me.
B) You don’t want alphabet numbers, ok, how about this. Gorman had more RBI+ Runs each of his 2 seasons in St. Louis than Walker did, even while having 1 less PA than Walker in 2023 in STL. Those are the stats you love, right?

Both have clearly shown promise and both have clearly shown frustration. And both will hopefully be a big part of the middle of the order for a long time as they breakout this year. *Crosses fingers*

[scoutyjones2]

Walker seems like a good kid who wants to succeed. Says all the right things. But let's face it...he's a dumpster fire at the plate. Didn't hit AAA or MLB pitching at all last season and has not hit a lick this spring.

And the Cards are going to just hand him a job?
They either know something we don't or they're incredibly stupid.

So I put it to you fine folks. How would you handle Walker? What would your plan be for the youngster who is still only 22 years old?

I know what I'd do...I send him to Memphis. Tell him he is the everyday right fielder. Tell him to have fun and not worry about the stats. Tell him his priority is to simply hit hard line drives. After a couple of months I evaluate and go from there. There is no way that right now he needs to be playing in St Louis. Does him or the team no favors.

He's 22

[Quincy Varnish]

My point is unlike the failed Gorman, Walker did have success in both St Louis and Memphis in 2024. Give walk 15-18 more spring training at bats and turn him loose.

Spring training does not matter at this point for Jordan Walker. He needs swings, but his health is more important. There is no need for a frenzy of ABs, and I’m sure he’s sick of all frenzy. Dude needs to sit back, listen to the 8 track, and let loose.

[Monsieur De Treville]

Walker seems like a good kid who wants to succeed. Says all the right things. But let's face it...he's a dumpster fire at the plate. Didn't hit AAA or MLB pitching at all last season and has not hit a lick this spring.

And the Cards are going to just hand him a job?
They either know something we don't or they're incredibly stupid.

So I put it to you fine folks. How would you handle Walker? What would your plan be for the youngster who is still only 22 years old?

I know what I'd do...I send him to Memphis. Tell him he is the everyday right fielder. Tell him to have fun and not worry about the stats. Tell him his priority is to simply hit hard line drives. After a couple of months I evaluate and go from there. There is no way that right now he needs to be playing in St Louis. Does him or the team no favors.

He's 22

Yes. As I posted above. Read. I'm not saying he will never make it. I'm asking if being given an everyday MLB job is best for his development at this point in his career?

[rockondlouie]

Chaim has to consider moving him. There's possibly a few teams that may feel they can correct his ills?

You don't have to go forward with what you have...tough decisions need to be made. I guess they'll make those decisions after the 2025 season.

I'd give Walker one more year after this one before moving him.

Norman, on the other hand, is in his sink or swim season. He either hits or it's time to move on from him.

[hilton head is 4 idiots]

My point is unlike the failed Gorman, Walker did have success in both St Louis and Memphis in 2024. Give walk 15-18 more spring training at bats and turn him loose.

Spring training does not matter at this point for Jordan Walker. He needs swings, but his health is more important. There is no need for a frenzy of ABs, and I’m sure he’s sick of all frenzy. Dude needs to sit back, listen to the 8 track, and let loose.

If his knee was still an issue , I would agree 100% Quincy.

From what I heard on radio broadcast his knee is no longer an issue.

[ForumPolice]

Well if you would come to grips with reality that the Cardinals are a non-contender this season then you would not care if they gave 162 games to Gorman and Walker. This year is for nothing else

It really has nothing to do with winning or losing.
I believe in Walker's potential.
Is letting him play everyday for the Cards and watch him hit .150 the best for his development? The issue is what's best for Walker? I'm not sure giving him a job he's not ready for is the best way to move forward. Maybe I'm wrong...wouldn't be the first time.

Yoyoing up and down is just as detrimental in my eyes

[Quincy Varnish]

Well if you would come to grips with reality that the Cardinals are a non-contender this season then you would not care if they gave 162 games to Gorman and Walker. This year is for nothing else

It really has nothing to do with winning or losing.
I believe in Walker's potential.
Is letting him play everyday for the Cards and watch him hit .150 the best for his development? The issue is what's best for Walker? I'm not sure giving him a job he's not ready for is the best way to move forward. Maybe I'm wrong...wouldn't be the first time.

Yoyoing up and down is just as detrimental in my eyes

Yep. Confidence matters. Ask Matthew Liberatore.

[sikeston bulldog2]

It’s a rebuild. Phase one jettison contracts and trades. So far they are behind here. Need to trade Matz and Mik.

Then this year play the kids. Sink or swim time. Next off season, another cut, then add one stud.

Play 2026. After that season, add two studs one a pitcher.

2027. Compete.