St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals demote former top prospect following brutal start

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/24/24

The St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the most consistently solid MLB teams of the 21st century.

They've made the playoffs 16 times in the last 24 seasons, making four World Series appearances and winning two Fall Classics. The Cardinals had their worst season since 1995 last year, however, finishing 71-91 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Off to another rough start in 2024, sitting in last place in the NL Central at 10-14, St. Louis made a difficult move on Wednesday, sending down former first-round pick and top prospect Jordan Walker to Triple-A.

We have recalled INF José Fermín and LHP John King from Memphis (AAA).

LHP Zack Thompson and OF Jordan Walker have been optioned to Memphis.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 24, 2024

The 21-year-old was selected by the Cardinals with the 21st overall pick in the 2020 June Amateur Draft, made the team's Opening Day roster in 2023, and debuted on March 30 last season.

Walker began his big-league career red-hot on a 12-game hitting streak but was optioned to Triple-A in late April. He returned to the majors in early June and rode a 17-game hitting streak from June 6-29 to up his slash line to .306/.375/.472.

Walker struggled in July and August before closing his rookie campaign with a .304/.363/.490 slash line across September and into October. Walker's 2023 numbers weren't eye-popping, but his 16 home runs, 51 RBI and .272/.342/.445 slash line offered promise going into 2024.

Instead, he got off to an abysmal start this spring, going 9-for-58 (.155) with no home runs, four runs scored and four RBI, along with six walks and 18 strikeouts. Walker went hitless in 12 of his 20 games this season and has been one of the biggest disappointments among young batters in the National League.

Initial thoughts: Optioning Walker allows him to figure out his swing. He’s struggled, specifically with pitches down and away, and his ground ball rate mirrors what it looked last season when he was sent down.

If the Cardinals want to be at their best, they need Walker right. https://t.co/JHj4QY7YYk
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) April 24, 2024\