Down on the Farm - 8/19/22

A look at farm system winning percentages, Jordan Walker (STL) hits a pair of homers, Jordan Lawlar (ARI) steals home, Elly De La Cruz (CIN) hits one a long way, Dalton Rushing (LAD) hits two homers

The Rundown 🌟

Cardinals top prospect Jordan Walker (20) hit a pair of homers for Springfield (AA) to help them top Arkansas, 5-4. Walker has spent the entire season in Double-A, where he’s slashed .310 / .393 / .522 (130 wRC+) with 15 home runs and 17 stolen bases. It seemed likely that Walker would be facing Triple-A pitching by now, but perhaps the Cardinals will send him to Memphis for the last few weeks of the season. He’s still just 20-years-old and has been one of the best players in the Texas League all season. Although Walker has been outstanding this year, he hasn’t hit as many home runs as expected given his 70-grade raw power. Here’s what he had to say about that when interviewed by Daniel Guerrero…

“Sometimes the launch angle is not there and I know it’s not the end of the world,” Walker said. “The home runs are going to come as I've been told, and I've been told by my peers. I really haven't been worried too much about that. As long as I'm getting on base and driving people in, then it's really not that big of a deal.”

The homers will come, and Walker seems to know that well. It’ll be fun to watch him continue to develop as a hitter.