Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn Announced for MLB Futures Game

Each season, as part of the MLB All Star Game Festivities, the league hosts an minor league all star game called the Futures Game. The best and brightest of each team is selected to participate. MLB has announced that Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn were the Cardinals participants.

Walker (3B) has played all this season at Double A Springfield, where he’s slashed a line of .310/.401/.498. Since being drafted in the first round (21 overall) in 2020 our of a Georgia high school, he’s shot through the system. He was in the Covid Minor League camp his first season with the team, before splitting 2021 with Lo A Palm Beach and Hi A Peoria. He was given an aggressive assignment with Double A; he’s 20, while the average age is about 23. He’s shown that he’s able to hit and field against older competition. He could finish the season at Memphis.

The Cardinals do have some questions about Walker. While his bat is good, his defense at third is average at best. Many scouts believed he’d end up at first base. The problem is both positions have long term options in Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt. I expect the team to keep him at third as long as possible until they are forced to move him elsewhere.

MLB has ranked Walker the #7 prospect in baseball this week.

Winn (SS/RHP) was drafted after Walker in 2020 as the Cardinals 2nd round pick (54 overall) as a 2 way player; he was an accomplished shortstop and pitcher in his Texas high school. He joined Walker in the Covid Minor League camp in his first season. He’s been a step behind Walker ever since; he split time between Palm Beach and Peoria in 2021. He started 2022 in Peoria, but was promoted to Springfield a few weeks ago. He’s slashing .250/.327/.438 in 144 Double A at bats.

Winn’s talent is a little behind that of Walker’s; he’s more of an athletic player, with speed as a plus for his game. He’s very solid defensively, which is a plus since he’s the top shortstop in the system. The Cardinals have stopped his pitching for now; it’s something he could go back to if he can’t figure out the bat.

Winn cracked MLB newest Top 100 at #91.

Both players will be playing for the US team.

Other Cardinals who have participated in the Futures Game: Dylan Carlson (2019), Jack Flaherty (2017), Nolan Gorman (2019, 2021), Dakota Hudson (2018), Matthew Liberatore (2021), Tyler O’Neill (2016), Alex Reyes (2016)

The Futures Game will be at 6PM CST on July 16th.