MLB Rumors: Mike Soroka’s future, Cardinals top prospect, Ohtani favorite
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: Cardinals top prospect should return soon
St. Louis Cardinals top prospect Jordan Walker has his swagger back, which means a return to the major leagues isn’t far behind. Walker debuted to start the season, recording a hit in 12 straight games. Yet, despite a .274 batting average in his first stint, he struggled towards the end of it, and the Cards sent him down to work on some things.
But were those things? For one, Walker had a 60 percent ground ball rate, so the Cards hoped he would increase his barrel rate and perhaps hit the ball in the air more in a stint down in Memphis. So far, that has worked to perfection.
"”You put a lot of pressure on yourself when you get to the big leagues, and you want to stay there, and not only stay there, but you want to help the team win ballgames, contribute,” Memphis manager Ben Johnson said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “That can be a lot of pressure for a young player, especially someone who’s written about in the same likes of Ted Williams. It’s tough for a young kid to come to terms with and to learn how to handle, but that’s part of the process. And he’s such a smart young man, he’s going to be really, really good at these types of things going forward.”"
Walker has slashed .295/.403/.475 so far with the Redbirds Triple-A affiliate, and has two home runs and all RBIs in limited playing time. Assuming he keeps playing like this, a call-up could be looming. The Cards are rolling and could use some hot-hitting reinforcements.