Jordan Walker’s historic 12-game hitting streak
Fred Jeter | 4/20/2023, 6 p.m.
Could he be the next Aaron Judge?
That would be the highest of compliments, but St. Louis Cardinals’ rookie left fielder Jordan Walker at least deserves some comparison.
The 20-year-old from the Atlanta suburbs began his big-league career this spring with a 12-game hitting streak that featured two homers and eight RBI.
The streak was historical. It’s the longest string of consecutive hits for a rookie by a player under 21 since Eddie Murphy in 1912 – that’s “Nineteen” 12.
Comparisons are inevitable with Judge, the 6-foot-7, 280-pound Yankee outfielder who last season set the American League home run record of 62.
Walker is 6-foot-6, 245 pounds and won’t turn 21 until May 22. He was St. Louis’ first round draft pick (21st overall) in 2020.
After a powerful season at Class AA Springfield, Mo. (19 homers, 22 stolen bases in 119 games), Walker became the youngest position player (non- pitcher) to start for St. Louis on opening day since outfielder David Green in 1981.
Originally a third baseman, Walker was moved to outfielder by the Cardinals because perennial All-Star Nolan Arenado is a fixture at third in St.
