The 2025 season has become a pivotal year for Jordan Walker, the young outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, who has been showing notable improvement since May 14. After a challenging start to his major league career, Walker’s recent surge has renewed optimism among Cardinals supporters looking for a breakthrough performance from the former top-five prospect.
Early Career Struggles Temper Expectations
Jordan Walker entered the league with high hopes but has struggled to meet the expectations that accompanied his status as one of baseball’s premier prospects. Over 738 regular season at-bats, Walker posted a modest .247 batting average with a .307 on-base percentage and .400 slugging. His career totals include 24 home runs, 92 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases—numbers that fall short of the impact usually anticipated from top-tier talent.
His 2025 campaign began in a similarly uncertain fashion, as his first 34 games featured a disappointing .180/.252/.246 slash line. Walker was striking out on nearly a third of his at-bats, with only four extra-base hits—two home runs and two doubles—adding to concerns that he had lost momentum early in the season.
Despite those struggles, Walker remains driven to prove himself.
“I have dreams about All-Star Games, the World Series and about being a Hall of Famer,”
Walker shared in Spring Training.
“This right here is not the stuff you dream about — being in the hot sun at 7 a.m. and putting in work. But this is what I need to achieve all my dreams. I just want to take everything step by step and continue to dream about those kinds of things.”
Significant Offensive Improvement Since Mid-May
Since May 14, Walker has transformed into one of the Cardinals’ most productive hitters. His overall slash line improved to .214/.269/.312 by mid-season, but his performance from May 14 through a recent game against the Baltimore Orioles was particularly impressive. During this stretch, Walker hit .344 with an on-base and slugging percentage of .344 and .531, respectively. He recorded a home run, a triple, and two doubles, demonstrating a more consistent ability to produce damaging hits.
Remarkably, eight of his 11 hits during this period came from balls struck at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, including a powerful 114.4 MPH single off Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano. Walker’s ability to drive the ball with such velocity suggests a significant adjustment in his swing mechanics and timing.
Walker’s approach at the plate increasingly reflects a strategic focus on pulling the ball, which he does on 50% of his hits. Pulled balls are often the most productive in baseball, and when combined with Walker’s increased bat speed, the results have been promising. Although his average launch angle sits at 8.8 degrees—lower than ideal for consistent power—these recent improvements indicate progress in his offensive game.
Defensive Contributions and Coaching Impact
Offensively, Walker’s recent form is the highlight, but his defense in right field remains steady. With assistance from assistant coach Jon Jay, Walker has maintained a neutral defensive rating, reflected in his Outs Above Average metric, improving from a previous -4 rating. His arm strength stands out as elite, ranking in the 96th percentile across Major League Baseball, underscoring his value on the defensive side.
The patience exhibited by both Walker and Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol appears to be yielding positive results, as the young corner outfielder refines his game. It’s important to remember that Walker is still younger than most of the Cardinals’ other top-10 prospects, indicating that his development trajectory remains upward despite early setbacks.
Outlook for Walker’s Career and Team Impact
Although Jordan Walker still faces challenges, particularly in handling breaking balls away and down in the strike zone, his recent breakthrough streak signals a potential turning point. Sustaining this level of offensive production will not be easy, but his current output provides hope that he can become a consistent contributor for the Cardinals.
Walker’s progress is crucial not just for his personal growth but also for the Cardinals’ broader ambitions. A reliable offensive presence in the outfield would strengthen the team’s lineup as they pursue postseason goals. As the season continues, maintaining patience and focusing on incremental improvements could help Walker reach the milestones he envisions, including the All-Star Game and beyond.