Cardinals Seek Urgency From Struggling Jordan Walker Amid 2025 Playoff Push

As the 2025 MLB regular season nears its end, the St. Louis Cardinals face challenges both in the standings and with player development. The team is considering promoting top prospect JJ Wetherholt, who is excelling in Triple-A with a .322 average and nine home runs, to give fans a glimpse of the future despite the tight roster and slim playoff hopes. Meanwhile, outfielder Jordan Walker is struggling significantly, batting just .220 with a .587 OPS and facing criticism for his lack of progress at the plate and high strikeout rate. Manager Oli Marmol and hitting coach Brant Brown emphasize the urgent need for Walker to improve his plate discipline and approach, highlighting the importance of consistency and adjustments for his potential success. Walker acknowledges these issues and believes that increasing his walk rate and pitch selection could elevate him to an elite hitter. The Cardinals are closely monitoring both players as the season winds down to inform future decisions.