BA Grade: 60/High

Track Record: Walker used an impressive start to the 2020 spring before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season to vault himself forward on draft boards, resulting with a selection by the Cardinals with the 21st pick in the draft. He signed for a below-slot deal of $2.9 million to forego a commitment to Duke. He then had one of the best pro debuts of any 2020 draftee, hitting his way out of Low-A Palm Beach in 2021 after 27 games and ranking as the No. 2 prospect in Low-A Southeast. He continued to hit well at High-A Peoria, where he ranked as the No. 3 prospect in High-A Central. He stood out for his combination of power and feel for hitting, thus solidifying himself as the top prospect in the organization. Walker finished the season hitting .317/.388/.548 between the Class A levels with 14 home runs, 25 doubles and 14 stolen bases in 82 games, earning the organization&#39s minor league player of the year honors while shooting onto the Top 100 Prospects ranking.

Scouting Report: Walker has an imposing 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame and rare strength for a teenager, crushing a ball at 116 mph off the bat in his first month as a professional. He&#39s got a good feel for hitting and an advanced approach for the game, impressing the organization with the way he made adjustments on the fly. The length to Walker&#39s swing produces some swing-and-miss issues, but he does a good job of catching up to velocity and has good knowledge of the strike zone. Walker hits the ball to all fields and should project for at least an average hit tool in the future to go along with plus-plus power as he matures. He posted a 15% walk rate and 17% strikeout rate at Low-A, but struggled to a 6% walk rate and 27% strikeout rate against more advanced pitchers at High-A, which is common for a young hitter facing more advanced arms. Some scouts believe he&#39ll continue to have trouble with spin due to his aggressiveness as a hitter. However, Walker does a good job of making adjustments on the fly and rarely makes the same mistake twice. Walker is a good athlete, runs well for his size and worked hard to improve at third base. He has good footwork and above-average arm strength, but he will need to improve his instincts and reactions to stick at the hot corner. Opposing scouts are split on whether he will fit at third base, with some believing he&#39ll end up at first base or right field, where his arm and offensive ability will profile well. Walker has an excellent work ethic, which should help give him a chance to stick at third base moving forward.

The Future: Walker&#39s combination of tools and performance fit the profile of a future middle-of-the-order masher who could one day hit 35 home runs in a season. After the way he performed at the Class A levels in 2021, he looks ready for an assignment to Double-A, and it&#39s not out of the question that he could make it to Triple-A by the end of the 2022 season, setting himself up for a 2023 major league debut.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.