Jordan Walker

[Fat_Bulldog]

It's time to move on from Walker. I can't stomach another spring hearing "Walker is ready. He's fixed his swing. He's poised to have a big year."

[cardsfantx]

It's time to move on from Walker. I can't stomach another spring hearing "Walker is ready. He's fixed his swing. He's poised to have a big year."

I think we have to hold onto him till at least next all star break, to really tank his value



THEN we can trade him

[sighyoung]

It's time to move on from Walker. I can't stomach another spring hearing "Walker is ready. He's fixed his swing. He's poised to have a big year."

I think we have to hold onto him till at least next all star break, to really tank his value



THEN we can trade him

Bloom has been scouting the Island of Misfit Toys for a good fit. We're low on pistols that shoot jam in our minor-league system.

[TGantz]

Don't love seeing the hitting coach putting a player on blast like that.

I agree. That is all I can take from this conversation.

Walker is 23. Twenty three. A year older than 22. He was born after the year 2000. I don't understand why we would give up on a 23 year old. Stop counting on him to be a starting OF for 2026. Fill his spot and he can sit at AAA until he figures it out. Cut him in a couple years if it doesn't pan out.

We need the 40 man space for Fermin? We need more space in the OF of AAA for Michael Siani to get AB's? No harm in holding on to him in AAA. Just stop counting on him to produce.

[WAR God]

Trade him ASAP for an 80% discount this offseason (compared to his peak value). It’s either that, or he becomes a throw-in at the next deadline.

Unconvinced he figures it out elsewhere, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

[MrCrowesGarden]

Why are we convinced JJ Wetherholt will be different? Are we convinced JJ Wetherholt will be different?

[WAR God]

Why are we convinced JJ Wetherholt will be different? Are we convinced JJ Wetherholt will be different?

I’m not convinced whatsoever. However, JJ’s projected 65 hit tool versus Jordan’s previous projection of 55 is a notable separator. Walker had the issues with launch angle/ball elevation, which were never resolved. another example of crazy power being worthless if you struggle to make contact.

As for playing the field, JJ is at best average with no standout tools. A likely DH or 1B as he ages. Walker has the cannon arm and decent range. Projects as an outfielder because of bad hands.

Both have to hit a lot to be contributors.

[dmarx114]

Don't love seeing the hitting coach putting a player on blast like that.

I agree. That is all I can take from this conversation.

Walker is 23. Twenty three. A year older than 22. He was born after the year 2000. I don't understand why we would give up on a 23 year old. Stop counting on him to be a starting OF for 2026. Fill his spot and he can sit at AAA until he figures it out. Cut him in a couple years if it doesn't pan out.

We need the 40 man space for Fermin? We need more space in the OF of AAA for Michael Siani to get AB's? No harm in holding on to him in AAA. Just stop counting on him to produce.

This is how I feel as well. I am more pessimistic than optimistic that he will eventually be productive, but it's too early to give up on him.

[ghostrunner]

Their minor league careers are pretty different. Walker dropped in every category as he progressed through the minors.

His wRC+/WOBA at every level

A - 208/.516
A+ - 125/.367
AA - 124/.396
AAA (29 games in 2023) - 94/.340 (290th in wOBA the Int League)

Wetherholt is staying at a high level throughout -

A - 140/.392
AA - 151/.415
AAA (38 games) - 163/.440 (9th in wOBA)

Winn, for comparison:

A - 115/.363
A+ - 49/.246
A+ - 164/.424
AA - 96/.351
AAA (105 games) - 107/.369 (152nd in wOBA)

Wetherholt has more games in AAA now than Walker did when he was first called up. In retrospect it seems pretty clear they rushed him, or at least that he was overhyped.

Edit - Not arguing that you need numbers like Wetherholt’s to be worth calling up, but it does seem like the expectations were too high and sitting down in AAA a bit longer upfront might have helped temper those if nothing else.

[dmarx114]

Their minor league careers are pretty different. Walker dropped in every category as he progressed through the minors.

His wRC+/WOBA at every level

A - 208/.516
A+ - 125/.367
AA - 124/.396
AAA (29 games in 2023) - 94/.340 (290th in wOBA the Int League)

Wetherholt is staying at a high level throughout -

A - 140/.392
AA - 151/.415
AAA (38 games) - 163/.440 (9th in wOBA)

Winn, for comparison:

A - 115/.363
A+ - 49/.246
A+ - 164/.424
AA - 96/.351
AAA (105 games) - 107/.369 (152nd in wOBA)

Wetherholt has more games in AAA now than Walker did when he was first called up. In retrospect it seems pretty clear they rushed him, or at least that he was overhyped.

Probably a combination. Thanks for posting his minor league numbers. I didn't realize his numbers got progressively worse at each level.