The St. Louis Cardinals announced Saturday that top prospect Jordan Walker will open the season on the club's big league roster. Walker is the no. 4 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB.com's Top 100 prospect rankings.
Walker, a talented outfielder, could be a big-time contributor for the Cardinals in 2023. His arrival gives manager Oli Marmol an embarrassment of riches and a variety of options when it comes to aligning the team's outfielder this season.
Walker joins an outfield that already includes Lars Nootbaar, Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson. Carlson was a top prospect not long ago, but slashed just .236/.316/.695 in 128 games last season. Carlson could split time with O'Neill in center field, with Nootbaar and Walker manning the corner outfield positions, depending on how they play.
Here's a look at our projected starting lineup for the Cardinals this season:
C Willson Contreras .243/.349/.815
1B Paul Goldschmidt .317/.404/.981
2B Brendan Donovan .281/.394/.773
3B Nolan Arenado .293/.358/.891
SS Tommy Edman .265/.324/.725
LF Jordan Walker (Rookie)
CF Tyler O'Neill .228/.308/.700 / Dylan Carlson .236/.316/.695
RF Lars Nootbaar .228/.340/.788
DH Nolan Gorman .226/.300/.721
Check out our full American League West Preview on the Jack Vita Show!
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