Cardinals Phenom Seen As Breakout Candidate By MLB Insider, Former Executive

The 2024 season is just about to kick off and St. Louis Cardinals fans should be excited.

St. Louis has a disastrous 2023 season but should be significantly better in 2024. The Cardinals' biggest problems last season were the starting rotation and bullpen and the club made multiple additions to help improve both areas. 

The Cardinals' offense was in a good spot last season and should be even better. One player Cardinals fans certainly should be excited about is young outfielder Jordan Walker. 

Walker made his big league debut and impressed in his rookie season. His potential is limitless and The Athletic's Jim Bowden placed him on his 2024 All-MLB Breakout Team and expects a big season.

"Last year I predicted Walker would be a breakout candidate and win National League Rookie of the Year," Bowden said. "I was wrong on both counts, but that's not going to stop me from going back to the well. Why? Because I think I was just a year early and I feel the Cardinals mishandled Walker at the start of last season, demoting him to the minors in April when he didn't deserve it and making him learn a new position, right field, at the major-league level. 

"However, I really believe in this player and think he will hit for both average and power and eventually become at least adequate defensively in right field."

The 21-year-old appeared in 117 games with the Cardinals last season and clubbed 16 home runs, drove in 51 runs, and slashed .276/.342/.445. If he can take a step forward in 2024, the Cardinals should be in good shape.