One of Baseball's Top Prospects Earns Opening Day Job

After watching moonshot after moonshot earlier on in spring training, was it ever in doubt? One of baseball's top prospects (No. 4 overall per MLB Pipeline), Jordan Walker, has officially been named to the St. Louis Cardinals' Opening Day roster. 

News: @Cardinals announced tonight that top prospect Jordan Walker will make the Opening Day roster. @MLBNetwork @MLB @MLBPipeline

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 26, 2023

Walker, the 21st overall pick in the 2020 draft, is still only 20 years old; he turns 21 on May 22nd. 

All he did this spring in 19 games, was go 18-for-63 (.286) with five doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs. His OPS was at a robust .816.

 And despite the inevitability of it all, Walker was pretty thrilled with the news:

That moment when your dream becomes a reality. pic.twitter.com/lHU7tiZBn3

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 26, 2023

Jordan Walker on his initial reaction to being told he made the major-league roster: "Unbelievable joy." #STLCards

— Lynn Worthy (@LWorthySports) March 26, 2023

Walker struggled a bit with strikeouts over the later stages of camp, but in essence, the way he handled it is what won him the job, according to manager Oli Marmol.

"To get to the big leagues, yes, you've got to be able to hit, but when things get tough and you face adversity and people start to question your ability, can you cancel out the noise and keep doing your job? I think he has that ability." 

Outfielder Juan Yepez was among those optioned to Triple-A, in related moves.

Photo: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports