Jordan Walker returned to Hammons Field for the first time since he was a Texas League star in 2022, piling up huge offensive numbers on his way to the big leagues the following season with the St. Louis Cardinals.
It hasn’t been an easy ride since. Walker, who recently turned 23, hit .276 with 16 home runs as a rookie in 2023, but slumped to .201 with five home runs last season. He was hitting .210 with three home runs this season before appendicitis sidelined him on June 23.
Walker came to Springfield for an injury rehab assignment on July 3 before continuing to Northwest Arkansas for three more games over the weekend. He went 2-for-18 with both hits being doubles during the four games, looking to regain his mojo before rejoining the big-league club. While with Springfield, he’s working with the coaching staff on some swing adjustments.
“I’ve always loved the stadium. I always love Springfield as well,” Walker said before his game at Hammons Field. He expanded on the numerous bumps in the road over the last couple of years, be they slumps or injuries that have sidetracked him from the stardom that many predicted.
“I chalk it up to baseball. It happens,” Walker said. “As baseball players, we have to remember how good we are and we’re there for a reason. That’s something that mentally we need to keep track of. It’s not gonna always be peachy and everything like that. I keep going and I’m starting to feel good now and look to the future and just look forward.”
Rewind: Springfield stays hot
Various players from the Springfield Cardinals watch the game from the dugout at Hammons Field. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
The Springfield Cardinals won five of six in the series against Northwest Arkansas, with three games at Hammons Field before three games in Springdale, Arkansas. The Cardinals prevailed 7-3 in the series finale on Sunday as J.J. Wetherholt hit a pair of home runs, the first multi-home run game of his career.
After losing the first three games of the second half, the first-half champion Cardinals improved to 7-5 in the Texas League North second-half standings. Arkansas and Wichita lead the way at 8-4.
Fast forward: To the southern coast
One of the season’s longest bus rides takes the Cardinals to Corpus Christi for a six-game series beginning on Tuesday, July 8. The Hooks, an affiliate of the Houston Astros, are tied with Amarillo (Arizona Diamondbacks) at 7-5 atop the Texas League South. The Cardinals won five of six from Corpus Christi at Hammons Field in mid-June.
Wetherholt to Atlanta
Springfield Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt looks on from the dugout during a game at Hammons Field. (Photo by Mary Ellen Chiles)
Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt will miss the final half of the Corpus Christi series as he travels to Atlanta for Saturday’s MLB Futures Game, a showcase of rising prospects. Wetherholt, the No. 7 overall draft choice last July, is hitting .300 with seven home runs, 34 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, 44 walks and a .425 on-base percentage.
“I’ve had a few of them in the past and it’s a great honor for those kids, a great opportunity on the big stage to be able to be seen,” Springfield manager Patrick Anderson said of Wetherholt’s Futures Game selection. “He’s done a great job and is well deserving of it, a humble young man. We told him, and the group was really excited. It tells you what type of group we have together in the club and we’re all excited for him. He’s excited as well.”
The Futures Game can be seen at 3 p.m. Saturday on MLB Network.
Who’s hot
Cardinals starter Max Rajcic gave up six hits and four earned runs in four-and-a-third innings of work Sept. 19, 2024, against the Arkansas Travelers. (Photo by Bruce Stidham)
Infielder-outfielder Noah Mendlinger remains locked in at the plate, raising his season average to .299. Mendlinger is 15-for-32 (.468) over his last eight games with 11 runs.
Pitcher Max Rajcic started and worked seven innings on July 4 in a win at Northwest Arkansas. Rajcic, the team’s 23rd-ranked prospect, allowed two runs and struck out three to even his record at 3-3.
Who’s not
Outfielder Joshua Baez has cooled after a red-hot first month in Double-A. The organization’s No. 12-rated prospect is 5-for-38 (.131) with one home run over his last 10 games.
Corpus Christi prospect watch
Former Springfield Catholic star Zach Cole leads Corpus Christi with 13 home runs. He’s currently the No. 19-ranked prospect in the Houston Astros organization. (Photo by Corpus Christi Hooks)
Springfield Catholic High School grad Zach Cole continues to impress for Corpus Christi. The 10th-round draft choice in 2022 is Houston’s No. 19-ranked prospect and has a team-leading 13 home runs with 32 RBIs and a .243 batting average.
Cardinals prospect watch
Outfielder Nathan Church continues to mash like a big-league prospect. Since his promotion from Springfield to Triple-A Memphis on June 3, Church is hitting .358 with four home runs, 14 RBIs and 17 runs in 81 at-bats. Church, 24, hit .336 with six home runs in his two months with Springfield.
Cardinals’ upcoming games
July 8-13 — Springfield at Corpus Christi
July 14-17 — All-Star break
July 18-20 — Wichita at Springfield
Ticket info — Call (417) 863-0395
Lyndal Scranton is a Springfield native who has covered sports in the Ozarks for more than 35 years, witnessing nearly every big sports moment in the region during the last 50 years. The Missouri Sports Hall of Famer, Springfield Area Sports Hall of Famer and live-fire cooking enthusiast also serves as PR Director for Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri and is co-host of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Contact him at Lscranton755@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @LyndalScranton. More by Lyndal Scranton