After beginning his career with a 12-game hitting streak, MLB’s top prospect Jordan Walker was surprisingly optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the St. Louis Cardinals.
However, after some early struggles in the minors, Walker found his stroke again.
As a result, the Cardinals have recalled their top prospect from Triple-A.
Walker began the season hitting .274 with two home runs and 11 RBI.
He also was reaching base at a .321 clip while slugging .397 with a .718 OPS.
Walker will join the team in Pittsburgh as they kick off a series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On Twitter, Cardinals beat reporter Jeff Jones provided the news of Walker being called back up to the majors.
The Cardinals are recalling Jordan Walker, a source with direct knowledge says. He’ll join the active roster tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) June 1, 2023
The corresponding move has not yet been announced, but it is very likely that the Cardinals will option catcher Tres Barrera to Memphis and opt to not carry around three catchers, as they had done for most of May.
It’s also possible that Lars Nootbaar could be headed to the injured list after leaving Monday’s game with back spasms.
With the offense currently struggling, Walker should provide a much-needed boost with his retooled swing after a hot stretch in the minors.
The 21-year-old was drafted by the Cardinals in 2020 as a third baseman.
With Nolan Arenado already filling that role, Walker was moved to the outfield.
He mainly played right field during his first stint in the majors.
Walker was sent down thanks in part to an outfield logjam, but with Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson on the shelf and the rest of the team’s outfielders struggling offensively, the door has been opened for the top prospect in all of baseball.
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