Apr 13, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) looks on from the on deck circle during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals
(New York, NY) — Life could be so cruel. Especially if you’re name is Jordan Walker.
Not even a record-tying hitting streak was enough to keep MLB’s top prospect in the big leagues.
The Cardinals optioned the 20-year-old budding superstar to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, calling up utility man Taylor Motter in a corresponding move.
Walker started the season with a 12-game hitting streak tying Eddie Murphy of the 1912 Philadelphia Athletics for the longest hitting streak to begin a career by a player age 20 or younger, but the writing was on the wall after he rode the bench in three of the Cardinals’ last four games.
The 20-year-old will head back to the minors to continue his development by playing everyday after batting .274/.321/.397 with two homers, 11 RBI and two stolen bases across 78 plate appearances. Since the end of his hitting streak, he’s just 5 for 26 (.192) with nine strikeouts.
There isn’t exactly an open spot for him in the St. Louis outfield at the moment, but that could change in a few months, if not sooner. It’s only a matter of time before he’s back for good.
Walker entered the season as the No. 6 prospect in baseball. He’s never played a Triple-A game.
The Cardinals currently sit in last place in the National League Central Division with a record of 9-15. The team faces off against the Giants Wednesday, with first pitch at 8:45 p.m.
