Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | STL | 3B | 5 | 50 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 45 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Ray Kinsela
Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: 2024
Physical Description: Physical monster, long-limbed with broad shoulders and tapered trunk, strength throughout body with projection for more, could wind up 6-6/240 or more, high-end physical projection.
Hit: Walker's swing has some undue length to it due to the natural length of his limbs, but perhaps more notably, he's got the high-end bat speed that allows for him to overcome that length and still have a shot at getting to velocity. The path is clean with good lag through the zone, and he showed a better approach in the spring than on the circuit last summer, leading some scouts to believe he's got a solid chance to hit. Realistically, it's a fringy hit tool projection long term, due mostly to the swing-and-miss that is present in his game and will likely continue. Grade: 45
Power: Walker's raw power is easily plus right now, and he's one of the few prospects in the minors with realistic projection for 80 raw when he's done growing. The physicality is tremendous and his strength is just now starting to show up really, considering he's on the younger side for the '20 class. With projection to make enough contact for the power to show up in an impactful way, it's within reason to see Walker's game power showing up as plus, though an average hit tool would draw even more out long term. Grade: 60
Field: A third baseman at present, Walker is a good enough athlete to be sent out there, but he's unlikely to stay there if his physical projection comes anywhere near full realization. The hands are wholly fine and the arm plays from third, though most scouts believe that he's likely to slide across the diamond to first base long term. He's seen some time in a corner outfield spot before, and given his more long-stride athleticism and arm strength, right field could be an interesting fit as well. Grade: 50
Arm: An above-average tool at present, once upon a time not too long ago, Walker was seen as a legitimate two-way prospect with high upside on the mound. He's got the arm strength to profile wherever the Cardinals prefer he play, be that third base or a corner outfield spot, and with refinements to the release quickness and continued maturation of his strength, a plus tool could be in the cards here long term. Grade: 55
Run: Walker is a supreme athlete for his size, and is capable of clocking solid-average times down the line from the right side of the plate. We've exhausted this point already, but Walker is likely to get bigger as he continues to mature just given his frame, so it's further likely that his speed dips a tick or two as he matures. He won't be a base-clogger, but he's unlikely to be an asset on the bases. Grade: 50
Overall: Walker represents one of the more high-risk, boom-or-bust prospects coming out of the 2020 draft, and St. Louis bet on the upside to be sure. His ceiling is potentially that of a 35-40 HR player with some walks and swing-and-miss while playing right field at a passable level, but the realistic outcome here is that of a right-handed hitting first baseman with big power who should hit just enough to play everyday.
OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: High
