STL Cardinals: How Jordan Walker hopes to surprise opponents in 2023

While many may know about the power of Jordan Walker, the St. Louis Cardinals rookie is hoping to take people by surprise this season with his speed.

ST. LOUIS — Saturday continued a series of firsts for St. Louis Cardinals rookie Jordan Walker, including being a part of his first Major League win.

However, also among those firsts from Saturday’s 4-1 home victory over the Toronto Blue Jays was the first stolen base of Walker’s MLB career, a bag he swiped after an eighth-inning single that rocketed up the middle at 105.3 mph off the bat. It was the perfect combination of power and speed on display that has had Cardinals fans drooling for his debut for weeks.

Walker ended the day 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, pushing his batting average to .333 (3-for-9) after his first two big league games. One of those hits was his first of two singles on Saturday, as his speed kept Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette from making a play after knocking down a shot off Jordan’s bat.

Speed is the secret weapon that Cardinals rookie Jordan Walker is hoping to use in 2023

With the stolen base and infield single on Saturday, Walker said that he hopes it’s a sign of what his speed can do for him and the team as the season goes along.

“I hope so,” Walker replied when asked if his speed might catch opponents off-guard. “I hope they keep treating me like I’m a bigger guy (Walker measures 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds). I want to try to catch them by surprise, but I know these catchers are really good and they adjust quickly. I know I am going to have to be on my A game if I want to get any more bags.”

The 20-year-old Walker had 22 stolen bases last season for Double-A Springfield and added five more in the Arizona Fall League. However, with MLB’s new rules that include bigger bases and a limit on the number of pickoff attempts by a pitcher, Walker could be a threat for the Cardinals not only at the plate, but also on the base paths.