JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals top prospect and former first-round draft pick Jordan Walker has taken some lumps in head-to-head matchups against veteran pitchers during spring training workouts in recent weeks.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound young titan with a smooth right-handed swing and seemingly-effortless power got humbled on several occasions. But growing pains were to be expected for a 20-year-old during in his first big-league camp facing seasoned professionals who’ve had success at the highest levels.
In Sunday’s game against the Miami Marlins, Walker flipped the script and inflicted pain in a loud and eye-catching way upon veteran pitcher Johnny Cueto, a two-time All-Star and a World Series champion.