Cardinals prospect Jordan Walker continuing to hone outfield skills

Words like “fun” and “joy” come to mind for the 20-year-old Cardinals prospect when he reflects on the time he and seven of his organization mates spent playing with and against some of the top prospects in baseball.

It provided a look at some quality pitching that he hadn’t seen all year and created one of his most memorable moments this season when he got to face fellow Cardinals prospect Tink Hence for an at-bat during the league’s annual Fall Stars Game.

“Facing a Cardinals prospect, man,” said Walker, who flew out to the warning track against Hence. “It was really fun. I said some words to him before that at-bat. It’s just a fun setting. The outcome wasn’t what I was focusing on — it was just the joy of being able to face Tink. I had never faced him before. I wouldn’t have it any other way than facing him in a setting like that one.”

For a player like Walker who batted .286, hit five homers, and finished with a .925 OPS in 21 games in a league referred to as a “finishing school” for prospects, there was one aspect that he could label as a challenge.

“Definitely the outfield,” he said.

“That’s what I really feel like out of all the all parts of my game, I’m least comfortable with — my outfield work right now,” Walker said.

Becoming more familiar in his new position is something that was a work in progress during the second half of the season for Walker. When it comes to this offseason, it’s something he’s looking to focus on while in his…