ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - His smile. His parents. His POWER.
It's easy to get excited about Jordan Walker, the 6-5, 220-pound selection by the Cardinals in the first round (21st overall pick) of the MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Then you remember... he just completed high school. But the numbers, regardless? They're hard to ignore.
Walker, the 2020 Georgia Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year, batted .457 with four home runs and 15 RBI before his senior season at Decatur High School was canceled. A year earlier, he hit .519 with 17 home runs.
"I started realizing I can't wear that number too much in the future," Jordan Walker said.
Indeed, the number 42 is retired among all MLB clubs. The journey begins now: Walker and his parents say he plans to turn pro and not attend Duke University, where he has a verbal commitment.
Walker's mother, Katrina, is an educator and graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. Jordan earned a 3.98 GPA and membership in the National Honor Society at Decatur.
The Cardinals scouted Walker throughout the Atlanta region. And ultimately, the organization couldn't pass up the talent... and total package.
"After listening to what our scouts said about Mr. Walker, we are thrilled to welcome him to the St. Louis Cardinals organization,” John Mozeliak, the team's president of baseball operations, said in a statement. “We look forward to meeting him in the near future.”
Added director of scouting Randy Flores: "Jordan impressed our staff on the summer circuit and then again in the abbreviated spring with the strides he continued to make. His feel for the game, maturity, and work ethic will position him well in our player development system.”
Hear more from Walker in the video at the top of this story.
The MLB Draft continues Thursday – with rounds 2-5 – beginning at 4:00 PM CT. The Cardinals have six selections.