Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak tells reporters, including MLB.com’s John Denton, that top prospect Jordan Walker has made the Opening Day roster in St. Louis. Walker, who is not on the 40-man roster, will require a corresponding move to be added. According to Denton, Mozeliak expects this move to come on Wednesday or Thursday. Outfielder Alec Burleson and left-handers Zack Thompson and Packy Naughton have also made the big league roster, according to Mozeliak.
Walker, 20, is a consensus top prospect in the sport, with MLB.com ranking him as the 4th best in the game. Should Walker finish in the top three of NL Rookie of the Year voting or the top five of NL MVP voting this year, the Cardinals will receive an extra draft pick thanks to Walker’s inclusion on the Opening Day roster.
That’s not out of the realm of possibility for Walker, a career .310/.388/.525 hitter in the minors who has yet to play above the Double-A level in his career. In skipping Triple-A entirely for Walker, the Cardinals are giving the potential superstar a notable vote of confidence. With Walker’s native third base occupied by 2023 NL MVP finalist Nolan Arenado, Walker figures to factor into the club’s outfield and DH mix alongside Burleson, Lars Nootbaar, Tyler O’Neill, and Dylan Carlson.
Fellow Top 100 prospect Burleson, meanwhile, struggled in his 2022 big league debut, slashing .188/.264/.271 in 53 plate appearances. With that being said, he dominated to a .905 OPS in 109 games at the Triple-A level last season, leaving plenty of room for a big breakout for the 24 year-old.
Following St. Louis’s decision to option lefty Genesis Cabrera earlier today, it’s of little surprise to see Thompson and Naughton make the roster. Thompson dominated to a 2.08 ERA in 34 2/3 innings for the Cardinals last year, and though Naughton didn’t fare as well with a 4.78 ERA in 32 big league innings, he did dominate in Triple-A last year.
Let’s go! He’s my NL Rookie of the Year pick
Great news. Opening day is always good in St Louis, but this year is going to be awesome with Jordan Walker making the team. Let’s go Cards.
Baseball is always good in St. Louis because St. Louis is the heart of baseball.
Coming from a trashy person with a trashy opinion guess where you end up..garbage
Take your own advice outdated bloke. What’s you do watch a night of 80s hacks and took them as your own.
You sound like you must be from Chicago. The city that has more shootings than most major cities. St. Louis isn’t great for crime. It suffers from a very bad DA just like Chicago. If I had to pick a city to take my kid to, Chicago would be on the bottom of that list. Have a great day. Also, no worries. 1908, 2016, and 2124 is just on the way.
Low effort trolling
Mom’s Basement, how original of you
He goes with what he knows
What do you want to bet that the Cards win 81 or more games? You name the stakes on this one, I’ll wait…
Seriously, why do people take the time to sign up for an account in a baseball forum just to make such ridiculously stupid comments?
For an online troll, you aren’t particularly talented or intelligent.
You’re doing great, kiddo! You’re gonna be a STAR!
I’m living in my mom’s house she’s to afraid to live in… pay the taxes… does that mean I’m living in her basement? If so it’s pretty nice… no throwing away 800 dollars a month on a cheap apartment? Instead I save 300 a month for taxes? Pretty nice rent? I’m gonna start renovating the place… has those nice 1950 style runs in the attic? Same with the wood floors? Stuff isn’t made like this anymore?
Mom’s basement…. see you April 3rd Jordan Walker
Red Birds will finish second behind the Cubs this season, so I will say 85 to 88 winning season for St. Louis.
The kid will win the Rookie of the Year award, so the Red Birds will get that extra pick.
Braves and Yanks in the World Series.
Oh, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Chi-Town, and Detroit all suck to live in and I grew up in Joliet which sucks as bad!
Speaking of delusional lol the cubs in first place lol…
Just say the Midwest is bad…but it’s not because of the land or minorities that are always pointed out. How about the hate some of you give other people without even knowing them. That definitely affects my view of a city. LA/NYC hands down great cities.
Wow, and if the Cubs finish first what will you do?
Also I mentioned nothing about minorities or anything about race but thanks for showing you are another woke nimrod.
I love keyboard tough guys…must live a pathetic life
Who hurt you? Seek help…it’s ok…but no reason to make a fool of yourself
I notice you haven’t named the stakes of our bet yet
EMOTIONAL DAMAGE !
Your mother must be proud…
If all you’re betting is a Jim Edmonds bobblehead, you must not be very confident about your insane predictions.
Ahaha did you really just steal a line from Roadhouse to try to sound cool?
Dork.
Yikes, I’m sorry my comment was so offensive to you Brocky lol
Saw a spring training game the other day first time seeing Jordan Walker live, I didn’t realize how big that dude is!
The ball definitely always has a different sound leaving his bat, gunna be fun to watch
I don’t know. The Braves had a very highly regarded prospect years ago who had very limited time at AAA. His name was and still is Jason Heyward. I have always wondered if he could have had a better career if he had had a few hundred at bats at AAA before playing in the majors.
@believeitornot
when it comes to heyward lack of offense i think goes back to when he took that fastball to the jaw.
And that’s the difference in being a reds fan, and watching the cardinals make the decisions you should be.
Don’t really understand holding back CES considering he’s never been considered a top prospect. Promote the guy and let’s see if his crazy ST and translate.
Somewhat unrelated, but does anyone know if veteran players from Japan (a.k.a Yoshida for Boston) are still eligible for Rookie of the Year in MLB or did they change the rules? I remember discussions around changing the eligibility rules for players from another professional league with X years of experience, but I don’t recall a final decision being made.
There was talk last year of Suzuki being a ROY contender when the Cubs signed him so don’t think they changed it.
Wow, congrats to that kid. He looks like a monster.
Awesome, congrats to Jordan and Cards fans
I like Jordan Walker, needs more patience at the plate, but a rising sun on a frigid planet.
By the way @Curly, who you calling dumb?
Soitenly. Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk
Stooge fact; Curly (Gerome Howard), had to cut off all his hair before he accepted the role as Curly. because he was considered too good looking, hmmm, With Moe & Shemp as brothers the Elephant man is too good looking
The Stooges, an American legend.
CurlySmart…
There is one clip with four of them. Curly is snoozing on a train… and he has hair. One of the Stooges lifts his hat and you can see Curly’s face. It was near the end… kind of sad.
Great news for my fantasy team; or so I hope.
And for some of mine, too!
I passed on him last night when he was hurt and they were talking about other options at top of lineup. Might be regretting that….
Yeah “select” him!
This guy is a monster….6’5 is a big boy. Hell of a spring training he had too.
So who has a top pitcher to trade and needs a DH? Yepez on the block.
I’d say hudson too. Maybe genesis as well. They seem kind of over him since he had that meltdown when being taken out of that game last year.
Wait, you want a top pitcher for a DH who doesn’t even swing a great bat? Delusional much?
Yepez still has plenty of value as the first guy up from AAA if/when another OF gets injured or disappoints.
Yepez certainly has value, but he is not fetching a “top pitcher,” like baseballpun suggested.
What’s more valuable? The extra year or draft pick? I obviously know the answer. Just wanted to see what you think.
According to Samson. Extra year. If there is another feasible player option, irresponsible not to take the extra year. Worth millions.
As a fan, I hope the Giants manipulate. I’d prefer an extra year of ready now over a draft pick maybe.
You aren’t guaranteed ROY. But if you hold the player back long enough you guarantee the extra year. Playoffs are what matters. Not April May June. It’s likely your draft pick won’t produce enough war his entire 6 years as Julio will in 1 year. Even then elite players cost 20 30 40 million a year 200 300 400 m contracts. 1 and 2 war guys are plentiful. Extra year and it’s not close. Extension changes things
However, the extra game(s) you win by fielding your best OF options from the very beginning of the season also have plenty of value, as yes, the playoffs are what matter. The wins you get in March/April count just as much towards reaching the playoffs as the ones in September do.
Besides, if he winds up signing an early-career extension, it won’t matter anyway. They wouldn’t even save any money in arbitration, as he’d be an obvious Super Two candidate if held back, the very reason why the Super Two rule exists in the first place.
Also, while most call-ups aren’t that good, I highly disagree with someone of Walker’s caliber. While he’s highly unlikely to match with Julio or Pujols did in their rookie years, he’s still quite likely to earn at least 1.5 WAR this year and keep getting better after that to where he’ll be at least a 4 WAR/year player in his prime.
I am taking extra year. Odds are the player doesn’t finish high enough. Odds are draft pick doesn’t amount to much. But if a good extension can be worked out it doesn’t matter. How many teams miss playoffs by a game or 2 or 3. It happens but depends on the team. Many teams are making playoffs with or without a single rookie. Arizona has the right idea. Have your cake and eat it too.
The window of winning is also a critical part of the decision. Goldschmidt isn’t getting any younger. Teams need to field the team most likely to get them in. I think St. Louis probbly wins the Central without him. I think they are more likely to win it with him in the outfield. I’ve never understood the idea that wins and losses in April and May aren’t as important. They are still used to decide the standings. Every win and loss is important unless you run away with the division. I’m happy MO isn’t sleeping on the Brewers and Cubs by assuming the Cards will win the division.
@CardsFan57 It’s not a 1 size fits all. I like how Arizona got Carroll experience last year with zero chance of contention so they have him the entire season this year and he is still a rookie. I don’t see them as contenders but I like the strategy. I like the extension even better. Not that it’s super team friendly. I don’t see the 2022 playoff teams differing much this year. Most are as sure a thing as you can have. Cards are 1 of the ones who could have strong competition. I don’t like windows and the cards are a team who doesn’t have them. They try to always contend. It doesn’t cost a ton to sign 700 ops guys. Walker needs to be a 800 or even better 900 ops guy to really matter. He could be. I don’t think it’s that big of deal either way. Just like what Arizona did.
Extra year. The draft is a crepe-shoot – and that implies you actually get the pick.
Haha, “crepe-shoot”. Excellent way to dodge the bad language bot!
Chances are the extra year is worth more. An extra year of a player before he becomes a FA is much more valuable than a draft pick if the player performs well. If the player washes out its worth less.
Let me get the rules straight. He is on opening day roster now. Let’s say he struggles for 2 weeks, gets sent down for a month and doesn’t accumulate service time, crushes AAA, and comes back up after being down long enough to delay the clock, does well and wins rookie of the year. Cards get the pick and the year, right? Having your cake, eating it, and getting a satisfactory dump (the pick) afterward.
If the player finishes top 3? ROY or top 5? Mvp they get the full year no matter how many days they were in mlb. The team had to have player on opening day roster and kept them their all season or most season, not sure exactly but being in the minors a entire month I believe is too long and team wouldn’t get draft pick. I read somewhere that Arizona called up Carroll so he would be just short of losing ROY eligibility. So they had him last year for stretch run which wasn’t meaningful for them but he is still able to win ROY this year. They extended him so it doesn’t matter but if they hadn’t they still had him last season. If Cards did that they could have Walker for the post season and 6 full seasons after that. You lose June July August but have potential for draft pick.
Not ready in my opinion, but with his numbers and Spring, why not. Hope he does well.
13K and 1BB, sure let’s see what he’s got.
MLBTR should only ever use this picture of Jordan Walker for his articles no matter how good he is in the bigs.
It appears that the changes to service time qualifications have really helped some of these prospects get the call right out of spring training. Seems to be accomplishing its intent. Last year J-Rod (and probably others) and now Walker. Good stuff.
The Cardinals might’ve promoted him under the old rules anyway like they did with Pujols and Jordan Hicks. They haven’t been a team interested in service time manipulation.
Good point. Players dont like signing extensions with teams that jerk them around on service time. Especially a potential franchise player.
in the last 25 years i never really seen the cards play the service time game, the cards philosophy on young players seems to be. if your ready and can help us win your on the club if not get your reps and when your ready you’ll be up
Question though? Who gets bumped off the 40? Also why Naughton over saurez? Suarez has been very good this spring
Just looking I bet fermin gets bumped. I’m still shocked they took Naughton over saurez
Naughton has an effective new pitch that fixes his main problem from last year. Saurez is good and will be available. lots of 2 way traffic on the pitching highway.
Romero or Walsh, my bet.
They went down to 39 a few weeks ago. Someone, I can’t remember who, was taken off. That’s when people speculated that move was in preperation for adding Walker.
That’s true, but they’re also adding Taylor Motter. They’ll need to drop someone off the 40-man or put someone on the 60-day IL.
This years Julio Rodriguez?
Hate to be a party pooper, but I honestly don’t like this move. Walker and Burleson need to be getting AB’s everyday and ideally in the OF to work on defense. Outfield it too crowded right now
He is going to get ABs everyday imo.
Walker will be a starter now that he’s on the roster. They are not bringing him up to sit on the bench.
Probably, but at the expense of who? Not sure he’s better than our other three OF’s right now. In the long run, sure, but he’s still new to the OF and his plate discipline is still lacking
It sounds like Carlson has been designated the fourth outfielder. Which outfielders are left after trading for a top line starter depends on the desires of the trading partner. There’s no predicting that at this point.
Yeah, Carlson should not be blocking Walker’s path to playing time.
In the past, I’d agree, but they have the DH spot to work with now. While they’ll also be using it for Gorman and the occasional half-rest day for Goldy, Arenado, and Contreras, there’s no reason they can’t start all four of them for around half the games.
They’re not trading for a top line starter at this point. It’s nice to have all that offensive depth, and the top of the rotation with Mikolas and Flaherty is already just fine as it is, anyway. We’ll see what happens at the trade deadline and next offseason…
The Cardinals need a front line starter. Some good players will be moved to fill that need. Goldschmidt, Arenado, Contreras, and Walker are likely the only players off limits. Nootbaar jersey sales in Japan may be a factor.
Flaherty hasn’t been good in years. I’ve not seen anything to change my mind in spring training. I like Mikolas I lot. He’s not a top of the rotation pitcher. The Cardinals need one if they want to go deep into the playoffs. Goldschmidt doesn’t have many high level seasons left. Now is the time to deal from depth for a championship.
Flaherty was decent in September last year, and he was an ace as recently as June 2021. It was only injuries that have kept him down in the meantime, and now he’s finally healthy again. Most people don’t use the term “in years” to mean just a year and a half. He’s also had a very good Spring Training.
Mikolas is absolutely a top of the rotation pitcher! As a 2-time All-Star who is clearly one of the 30 best starting pitchers in the game right now, he’s a legitimate #1 starter by definition.
He’s not quite Cy Young caliber (which Flaherty may return to being, anyway), but he can easily win playoff games. In fact, he’s already proven it, having picked up a Win and pitched to a 1.50 ERA in 3 games of the 2019 playoffs, and then he did a decent job in his start in last year’s Wild Card series, as despite getting the Loss it was the offense’s fault the Cardinals couldn’t win either of those games.’
Anyway, it doesn’t matter, as no team is going to trade such a pitcher right now without the Cardinals giving up so much that it makes their team overall weaker even with the addition of that starter. If it turns out the Cardinals absolutely need that pitcher, they can go for him at the trade deadline.
There should be enough ABs for for 4 OFs. Carlson has been good when healthy and is really jacked this year. His new power is evident.
Agreed. Its not like they grow on trees anyway. My guess is trading a good young hitter for a good young potential TOR pitcher. Cards dont like the price of poker in the free agent market and teams dont trade TORs.
A few months here and there over a period of years isn’t all that great. It’s probably moot. Based on his recent outings, he’s likely headed to the IL anyway. He got lit up for 6 runs today. Naughton got lit up for 5. The others getting lit up weren’t going to make the team anyway.
Yeah, but someone is bound to get hit by this season’s strain: Obliques.
He better hope so.
This is a bit anticlimactic. I think everyone saw it coming.
With both Walker and Burleson making the team, I wonder if there is a trade in the works that might involve O’Neill or Carlson for a starting pitcher?
There will be at some point. To get what the Cardinals need a middle infielder and a pitching prospect will be included with the outfielder. Top line pitching isn’t cheap.
Gorman?
Maybe him or even Edman. Winn is the Cardinals shortstop of the future. Edman has made it clear he doesn’t want to move back to second.
let’s hope not. That’d be a dumb move. I’m not sure I’d trade Gorman for Bieber. and I love Bieber.
Why would the cardinals trade Edman he’s a 6 WAR player. Wynn is no where near ready with the bat 100 WRC IN AA last year he needs another year and half in minors at minimum
Winn impressed quite a bit in spring training. He’s developed some pop in his bat. He has a great arm for short. Edman will be traded if he doesn’t want to go back to second when Winn moves up.
not sure where youre getting your info. Edman recently stated he didnt have a preference and the Cards arent looking for middle infielders.
Who said they are looking for middle infielders? They are more likely to trade either Donovan or Edman. They could trade Gorman but I think that’s less likely.
They aren’t going to trade their established players. And Edman never said that. You’re just making stuff up.
The interview I read from him said otherwise. I’d love to see him stay and move back to second. Some valuable players on the roster will have to be included if the Cardinals are to get a top line starter. That’s the only hole on this roster. There’s plenty of depth everywhere else.
Even if Edman did say he has a preference, it doesn’t mean he’s going to demand a trade if he has to do otherwise. Most players aren’t that picky.
Meanwhile, you don’t create even bigger holes just to fill in a small one. The Cardinals need both Edman and Donovan in the middle infield a lot more than they need a top-line starter right now. Otherwise, they’d be stuck playing Gorman’s iron glove and unproven bat at 2B most of the time; or they hope that DeJong has figured out how to hit again, and he won’t even be available for the first week or two of the season.
@Cardsfanatik – No need to worry on your end as there is zero chance of Cleveland trading Shane Bieber for Nolan Gorman. They’d be looking for 3X that return (at least) in order to move him.
Agreed. But Edman will be getting expensive with a cost controled star on horizon. They liked Wong but were pragmatic about the money to re-sign him. Edman and others could get you a damn good pitcher. Just not this year.
I know they’d want more. but I’d loathe giving up Gorman is all I meant. if his spring numbers translate, he’s going to be a monster as well. idc if he strikes out 30% of the time, if he’s doing damage. he’s looked pretty passable vs lefties as well. Lh power is hard to find in today’s game.
It’s not going to happen now that the season is just about to start. They already have a 2-time All-Star as their #1 guy and another guy with the potential to return to top-line form, so they don’t even need one until we see how things are going mid-season.
Surprised to see Naughton make it.
O’Neill or Carlson + Flaherty just think of the controllable starter that could return.
Flaherty has little trade value unless he pitches better than he has for years. A pitching prospect like Graceffo or Liberatore have more value.
Flaherty is already a good starter and may even return to being an ace, and we still need that OF depth in case something goes wrong. Contenders like the Cardinals do *NOT* weaken the current team just for slightly better odds in the future.
OK, only rarely do they do something stupid like that like with the Brewers’ Hader trade, but the Cardinals’ FO is smarter than that.
The Cardinals currently have 5 outfielders deserving to be starters. I think they can spare one to get the starter they need to be a top contender. Do you really think this starting rotation will take a team deep into the playoffs?
I agree. And Walker needs to play every day as well.
@four4fore – Flaherty is a free agent next season. That reduces his trade value a considerable amount without even discussing the fact that he pitched less than 40 innings last season due to injury. While he started out great in 2021, he lost over 1/2 that season to injuries as well. No team is going to give up a young, controllable starter for an unpredictable Flaherty + an average to slightly above average outfielder. Sorry to be so negative, but that is the truth.
Congratulations, Jordan Walker! Well-deserved! He has so much talent. He reminds me of Dave Winfield, but that is a long way away. That would be my comp, however.
Angels could’ve picked him instead of Detmers.
Seriously? I thought it was a PR signing when it happened. Pujols was a very valuable player in 2022.
I’m wondering if Pujols will even be able to sleep tonight knowing that some random online nobody thinks his stats last year were a disappointment…
I’m more significant person than albert pujols because I’ve been chosen to represent something that almost nobody else ever has been- something that is infinitely more significant than playing a game with a stick and a ball. albert pujols is nothing compared to me.
You mean the guy who was quite valuable as their part-time DH last year and hit 24 HRs with an .895 OPS in a wonderful retirement tour? The word “sorry” must mean something completely different where you live.
albert pujols is a POS who screamed at his manager in front of the entire team, even though he was getting regular playing time despite being below replacement level and despite being a horrible player for years and years. And he only associated with Mike Trout when he was in Anaheim because of his elitism and ego.
@Marlin
I think Pujols turned you down for an autograph or something.. Maybe he called you pizza-face or something (in front of your whole boy scout troop) because of your out of control acne.
you need some professional counseling. calm down before you stroke out. Pujols living rent free in your head.
Watch your MOUTH.
Mahlins_Fan
Watch your mouth?
Watch my sphincter!!
What am I watching it do?
Marlins = Sorry.
Interchangeable.
I really don’t think he’s ready. Spring Training stats are mostly meaningless, and even there, his place dicipline was lacking. Would like to see him in AAA for awhile to work on plate dicipline and defense, since he’s still new to the position
Needs More Time….
What are you talking about?! No one on the Marlins had an OPS higher than .752 or hit more than 15 HRs last year. Pujols outhit the entire team, and he was only a platoon bat!
In any case, even if you could name some hitters who outperformed him last year, it doesn’t change the fact than an .895 OPS is well above the mark of .730 or so for an average hitter.
Wow, a smart move by St Louis for a change. Remember this, because it will probably be right back to seemingly endless incompetence after this.
Pujols HOF in 5 years!
Reality check ✔️
Fine, let albert pujols have his stupid little insignificant place in “Cooperstown”. It’s for what he did through 2011. he underperformed horribly in Anaheim. 109 OPS+ and an average WAR of less than 2 in Anaheim and flat out horrible his final half decade there- pathetic.
Just traded Walker for Hunter Greene.
I love Walker long-term, but he will struggle year 1
260/18/60/8
The Marlins must really piss you off.
I”ve read about that! Congratulations! Good job, junior.
Lots of anger on here and
If he’s up, he needs to play, and if he plays at whose expense? Is a 4th outfield/part time DH better than getting everyday playing time at AAA.? This will be a true test for Marmol. -One that Shildt failed with Arozarena.. Hope he does well and forces the issue so they can trade from their OF surplus to help out the rotation
Another player they’ll ruin.
Yeah by forcing him to be the mediocre cog in the machine
BJ Upton 2.0 is my prediction
So Marmol tells him the ability to not get upset when he fails is a good sign
Like, no it isn’t. Imagine Michael Jordan not really caring that he was awful. It eats away at the top guys. It’s these type of mediocre minds that infect society with loser-think
I was thinking what a stupid take that was. Then I looked up…
Cammie453!
Nevermind!
Applaud Cards for adding the rook! He’s exceptional .Hopefully Brewers follow suit with one or two of their rookies.
This is the most exciting thing for the club since Oscar Taveras was finally brought up. The team will struggle this year and will finish behind Chicago in the division, but at least there may be something exciting to watch. Hope is a powerful thing. It would be nice to see them finally flip Carlson like they should have last year. Too bad his value has dropped to much, you’d only get a low A prospect for him.
Ian Stewart 2.0
Ah the cynicism and fighting abounds. It must be near baseball season.
You know, it’s permissible—if not preferable—to start your sentence with ‘meanwhile” instead of throwing it in the center and interrupting its flow.
“Meanwhile back in the year One…”
Bazinga!
How many times can we use a variation of the word dominate in a single post? Grab a thesaurus.