Goold post on Walker making significant changes

[Ozziesfan41]

Absolutely ditch the open stance and go to a more closed stance and maybe even try a little crouch. Pitch selection is also very critical.

Pitch selection is the most critical. He can copy Hendricks, Gwynn Winfield and any other names want to throw out but as long as he continues to take fastballs down the middle and flail at pitches three feet out of the strike zone he will continue to suck

[Goldfan]

Absolutely ditch the open stance and go to a more closed stance and maybe even try a little crouch. Pitch selection is also very critical.

You expect a 3yr ML hitter to completely change his batting stance? This isn’t Yadi
They closed Gorman off early last season and he lost all his power…..and still couldn’t make contact. He went back to open stance and connected on a few dongers…
Trying to completely undo what got those 2 to ML in the first place and then remake them as different hitter isn’t going to happen
But good luck to Jordan and his muscles……

[Goldfan]

What a revelation by JW and driveline…..loose and relaxed at plate until ready to explode through ball….amazing cutting edge never seen before teachings

Guess one is either a fan or not Goldfan. What are you?

Who are you. Who. Who. I really want to know.

Just a fan, SB, who gets tired of another fan constantly bashing the Cardinals at every turn.

Cranny’s fan obligation
To praise every move by the owner, FO, manager and players.
Demonstrated by Cranny himself backing, trumpeting, and skewering ANY poster who dare have a difference of opinion with the last FO as they ran the great Cards organization in to ground…..to the point where its in total rebuild now with winning years off in the distance.
So who is the fool??
The blind ownership homer
Or the fan who saw the obvious downfall and wrote about it

Goldfan - When the Cards do something good, I laud it. When they do something that doesn’t make sense, I call them out for it. That’s a far cry from the constant bashing you do.

BDW is considering a contract extension for Oli…..now why would I write here supporting a stupid move like that.
JW has regressed to the point of needing to show for a full AAA season that he can dominate. But instead we’re being fed propaganda stories through Goold that a great awakening has occurred and JW now knows not to stand at the plate like a statue…..so the team can convince fans that this guy showed be the staring lineup again in ‘26.
And for the records I just praised Bloom for being quick on the draw and trading Gray….so update your tally about “always bashing”…..

A lot of fans like to see players putting in the effort to improve, and insight into those efforts is often high interest.

I don't know why it bothers you so much when you see stories about players working to improve. It is odd, though... especially the way you bash other fans who appreciate the details of what they're working on.

Walker needs to start and stay at AAA in ‘26. He can work on his muscles there. I’m tired of these experimentations on non-existent personal progress at the ML level. Find some players who have already discovered their inner muscle control and play ball at the ML level.
How did that offseason Carp hot yoga and best condition of his life work out??
How did that speed swing vid you were so impressed with work out with Noot??
Marginal players getting the offseason Goold propaganda piece does no service for the fans.
Really…. a ML player finally found out after 3 seasons of being a DOG that he shouldn’t stand up there like statue and he needs to relax his muscles??

You're tired of hearing about players trying to improve, and you bash fans who appreciate the insight into what players are working on in the offseason.

I still don't know why you feel the need to do that.

AOF to out to that spot on the W coast and put in the work……write an article…….that will have no bearing on the success of the Cards next season just like JW.
Show me a Cards prospect/Suspect that had a great turnaround doing these things. Give me the example…..after batting .200 the previous season

You act like no one knows that the Cardinals’ player development system was completely broken.

You want an example of a prospect putting in this type of work and getting better? Liam Doyle.

Doyle was just drafted
Give me name like Gorman, Walker, Carlson, TO, Bader, Noot who actually did this work and came out the next season and was a different player?

[LewisL]

Absolutely ditch the open stance and go to a more closed stance and maybe even try a little crouch. Pitch selection is also very critical.

Pitch selection is the most critical. He can copy Hendricks, Gwynn Winfield and any other names want to throw out but as long as he continues to take fastballs down the middle and flail at pitches three feet out of the strike zone he will continue to suck

Pitch recognition.....he's never done that well. Can't really improve "pitch selection" if he can't recognize the pitches

[BrockFloodMaris]

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 love the silent George comparison. JW could make millions by copying that batting stance, batting approach, and compact swing.

I read and heard late in the season from Oli and from Brant Brown that JW wasn’t listening to the instruction being given. For his sake, I hope he has turned the corner on that bad habit. I wish the kid all the best.

[C-Unit]

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 love the silent George comparison. JW could make millions by copying that batting stance, batting approach, and compact swing.

I read and heard late in the season from Oli and from Brant Brown that JW wasn’t listening to the instruction being given. For his sake, I hope he has turned the corner on that bad habit. I wish the kid all the best.

I never could figure out whether those Brown comments were accurate or a sign of his own ineffectiveness in his role. Or, are he and Oli trying to impose a "no excuses" environment and be the "tough guy," like the route Oli took with O'Neill. It's hard to tell where this coaching staff stands on the fine line between making sure the players are "having fun," and the occasional attempt at commanding respect.

[renostl]

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.

You must have seen Hendrick play.
Anyone who did can see the similarity between the two players - build, swing, hard contact, etc.
By the way, Hendrick struggles badly his first 2 seasons playing MLB ball at age 21 and 22.
Oakland traded him after he hit .185/.206/.306.
With that change of scenery - and a new coaching staff - he broke out.
George played 18 years and only reached 25 HR twice.
But he went to 4 ASG.
Walker should learn from that.

Hendrick started closed and stayed closed on everything except the inside strike. Then he was mostly neutral. He practically hit against a stiff front leg post and went opposite field often.
It's an interesting comparison and has it merits. I doubt it is an approach that will be taught or trained for anytime soon and just as important any player adopting a practice that decreases the HR potential.
Not debating right or wrong but do you see a player embracing that approach?

Walkers stance starts open. Doesn't necessarily stay
His most often landing spot is neutral. An issue of inconsistency. Too much movement for a strong man not needing it, JMO, he lost balance and consistency.
Load, stay short. Balance will decrease his chasing of the outside off the plate

Everyone here thinks we have an answer. Mine is as much garbage as anyone here, perhaps more. There are skills in the guy. He hits despite low confidence, poor balance and very little buy in to a process.
That's where it starts or may sadly end for him and the team for he could be a difference maker.

Giancarlo Stanton is an example of a hitter on the taller side who went towards more of a closed stance. He chops with his swing like he's swinging an axe at a tree, able to turn his hands over and still slice a home run to RF.

I do agree Walker appears too open, especially when you see him finish with that upper-cut, back knee dropped and hips open on a pitch away. He has the size and strength to send balls out the other way without doing all of that.

A lot of guys start open. It's as much of a timing mechanism along with a weight movement as
anything. They close when the pitch is started. I went deeper what I seen in the past.
The problems in a nutshell with JW is JW is inconsistent where lands. Moves his balance
and loses his natural flow and power versus just staying back. The plate becomes 2 feet wide. Too many keystrokes
to keep repeating. Besides it is all opinion by a hack not near the player.

IF the reports are accurate it sounds like a great start and less moving parts. It still needs JW's buy in which
requires early success along, tremendous amount of work, and commitment to it when not successful
or slumping. We'll see, easier to fail than succeed. Especially when letting go of what
worked well enough to get drafted.

[cardsrmyteam]

https://x.com/dgoold/status/1994384798719279200?s=46

Sure hope this works. His comment about standing like a statue is spot on. He also needs to stop taking early fastballs down the middle.

Mo is gone. Praise the Lord. Walker isn’t being taught how to hit by a guy in a bow tie anymore.

[cardsrmyteam]

LOL, Mo messed up this swing. JW is a generational talent. 80% of you were drooling over his hit streak to start his career. Dave Winfield is in the HOF, that is what you have. JW will NEVER hit 50 HR’s. Glad is family is set free from the overarching meddling Mo

[Galatians221jb1]

LOL, Mo messed up this swing. JW is a generational talent. 80% of you were drooling over his hit streak to start his career. Dave Winfield is in the HOF, that is what you have. JW will NEVER hit 50 HR’s. Glad is family is set free from the overarching meddling Mo

One poster who claims to never be wrong says he should remain stiff legged because George Hendrick was stiff legged

[renostl]

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.

You must have seen Hendrick play.
Anyone who did can see the similarity between the two players - build, swing, hard contact, etc.
By the way, Hendrick struggles badly his first 2 seasons playing MLB ball at age 21 and 22.
Oakland traded him after he hit .185/.206/.306.
With that change of scenery - and a new coaching staff - he broke out.
George played 18 years and only reached 25 HR twice.
But he went to 4 ASG.
Walker should learn from that.

Hendrick started closed and stayed closed on everything except the inside strike. Then he was mostly neutral. He practically hit against a stiff front leg post and went opposite field often.
It's an interesting comparison and has it merits. I doubt it is an approach that will be taught or trained for anytime soon and just as important any player adopting a practice that decreases the HR potential.
Not debating right or wrong but do you see a player embracing that approach?

Walkers stance starts open. Doesn't necessarily stay
His most often landing spot is neutral. An issue of inconsistency. Too much movement for a strong man not needing it, JMO, he lost balance and consistency.
Load, stay short. Balance will decrease his chasing of the outside off the plate

Everyone here thinks we have an answer. Mine is as much garbage as anyone here, perhaps more. There are skills in the guy. He hits despite low confidence, poor balance and very little buy in to a process.
That's where it starts or may sadly end for him and the team for he could be a difference maker.

"Not debating right or wrong but do you see a player embracing that approach?"
That is the key question, isn't it?
Would a team allow Walker to take advantage of his best asset, at the expense of reducing his HR total?
Super Slo Mo and The Marmot refused to permit it.
Will Bloom be smarter?
We shall see.
If he isn't, odds are Walker will be unlocked by some other organization if and when the Cardinals give up on him.

Would Walker or any player with size do it?
Might be a rare path to follow.

The FO may be ok with getting a valuable player versus having a player
of almost no value. Move on if the player doesn't fitt.

There's a few contemporaries that he could emulate. I just am opinionated
that JW doesn't need all that movement.
Machado does it. He's actually opened up more pre pitch over time
but he always lands in the same spot and well, he's kind of accomplished.

[C-Unit]

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.

You must have seen Hendrick play.
Anyone who did can see the similarity between the two players - build, swing, hard contact, etc.
By the way, Hendrick struggles badly his first 2 seasons playing MLB ball at age 21 and 22.
Oakland traded him after he hit .185/.206/.306.
With that change of scenery - and a new coaching staff - he broke out.
George played 18 years and only reached 25 HR twice.
But he went to 4 ASG.
Walker should learn from that.

Hendrick started closed and stayed closed on everything except the inside strike. Then he was mostly neutral. He practically hit against a stiff front leg post and went opposite field often.
It's an interesting comparison and has it merits. I doubt it is an approach that will be taught or trained for anytime soon and just as important any player adopting a practice that decreases the HR potential.
Not debating right or wrong but do you see a player embracing that approach?

Walkers stance starts open. Doesn't necessarily stay
His most often landing spot is neutral. An issue of inconsistency. Too much movement for a strong man not needing it, JMO, he lost balance and consistency.
Load, stay short. Balance will decrease his chasing of the outside off the plate

Everyone here thinks we have an answer. Mine is as much garbage as anyone here, perhaps more. There are skills in the guy. He hits despite low confidence, poor balance and very little buy in to a process.
That's where it starts or may sadly end for him and the team for he could be a difference maker.

Giancarlo Stanton is an example of a hitter on the taller side who went towards more of a closed stance. He chops with his swing like he's swinging an axe at a tree, able to turn his hands over and still slice a home run to RF.

I do agree Walker appears too open, especially when you see him finish with that upper-cut, back knee dropped and hips open on a pitch away. He has the size and strength to send balls out the other way without doing all of that.

A lot of guys start open. It's as much of a timing mechanism along with a weight movement as
anything. They close when the pitch is started. I went deeper what I seen in the past.
The problems in a nutshell with JW is JW is inconsistent where lands. Moves his balance
and loses his natural flow and power versus just staying back. The plate becomes 2 feet wide. Too many keystrokes
to keep repeating. Besides it is all opinion by a hack not near the player.

IF the reports are accurate it sounds like a great start and less moving parts. It still needs JW's buy in which
requires early success along, tremendous amount of work, and commitment to it when not successful
or slumping. We'll see, easier to fail than succeed. Especially when letting go of what
worked well enough to get drafted.

Yeah. George Springer that's another good right-handed power hitter with a habit of hitting HRs out to rightfield. What would you say about his swing.

[Ozziesfan41]

LOL, Mo messed up this swing. JW is a generational talent. 80% of you were drooling over his hit streak to start his career. Dave Winfield is in the HOF, that is what you have. JW will NEVER hit 50 HR’s. Glad is family is set free from the overarching meddling Mo

His swing isn’t the problem when he hits it he has high exit velocities his problem is hitting it because his plate approach is awful and his pitch recognition is even worse. Mo is an idiot and he rushed walker to the majors but his struggles are not because of Mo people saying oh he should swing like Dave Winfield he should swing like Hendricks it’s a joke his swing isn’t going to solve his awful plate approach or pitch recognition unless he solves those two things he will never be successful

[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.

I love the silent George comparison. JW could make millions by copying that batting stance, batting approach, and compact swing.

I read and heard late in the season from Oli and from Brant Brown that JW wasn’t listening to the instruction being given. For his sake, I hope he has turned the corner on that bad habit. I wish the kid all the best.

Problem is, the was The Marmot and staff who demanded Walker open his stance and add more uppercut to his swing to begin with.
You have to feel bad for the guy.
What he was doing in his rookie year worked - and it was the Cardinals who required him to change.
Why in the world would he trust them now?
I believe it would be best for both parties if Walker started over again somewhere else.

[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.

Good post Melville.

Giancarlo Stanton is also a guy he should study. The closed stance he has used for nearly a decade helped him get to those outside pitches that Walker has shown extreme susceptibility to.

Outstanding point.
He is a player who started his career with an open stance.
And actually, improved when he abandoned it.

[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.

Excellent point.

You must have seen Hendrick play.
Anyone who did can see the similarity between the two players - build, swing, hard contact, etc.
By the way, Hendrick struggles badly his first 2 seasons playing MLB ball at age 21 and 22.
Oakland traded him after he hit .185/.206/.306.
With that change of scenery - and a new coaching staff - he broke out.
George played 18 years and only reached 25 HR twice.
But he went to 4 ASG.
Walker should learn from that.

Hendrick started closed and stayed closed on everything except the inside strike. Then he was mostly neutral. He practically hit against a stiff front leg post and went opposite field often.
It's an interesting comparison and has it merits. I doubt it is an approach that will be taught or trained for anytime soon and just as important any player adopting a practice that decreases the HR potential.
Not debating right or wrong but do you see a player embracing that approach?

Walkers stance starts open. Doesn't necessarily stay
His most often landing spot is neutral. An issue of inconsistency. Too much movement for a strong man not needing it, JMO, he lost balance and consistency.
Load, stay short. Balance will decrease his chasing of the outside off the plate

Everyone here thinks we have an answer. Mine is as much garbage as anyone here, perhaps more. There are skills in the guy. He hits despite low confidence, poor balance and very little buy in to a process.
That's where it starts or may sadly end for him and the team for he could be a difference maker.

Giancarlo Stanton is an example of a hitter on the taller side who went towards more of a closed stance. He chops with his swing like he's swinging an axe at a tree, able to turn his hands over and still slice a home run to RF.

I do agree Walker appears too open, especially when you see him finish with that upper-cut, back knee dropped and hips open on a pitch away. He has the size and strength to send balls out the other way without doing all of that.

You get it.