ST. LOUIS — As they traveled together through central Illinois for two days, making stops on the Cardinals caravan in Champaign, Peoria and Bloomington, Victor Scott II and Jordan Walker had plenty of chances to talk.
A fast-rising prospect, Scott had a lot of questions but almost all revolved around one central theme: One year ago, Walker was where Scott finds himself now. Next year at this time, Scott wants to be where Walker is now.
When he showed up at the Winter Warm-up last year, Walker already had established himself as one of the top prospects in baseball, but that status was based on potential not major-league results.
A year of growth might not have provided all of the results that Walker had hoped for as a rookie but it has left him convinced that bigger and better days are on the horizon.
Uncertain of their status heading into the 2023 season, a year later both Walker and best friend Masyn Winn are in the projected starting lineup for the Cardinals. Taking their turns in the media room on Sunday at the Winter Warm-up, each was well aware of how dramatically their status has changed in the last 12 months.
“My goal out of the gates was to be the starting right fielder,” Walker said. “After last season, there was a little nostalgic feeling to it looking back on the season. At times it felt long based on how my body felt but looking back it went by really quickly.
“The coaches and veterans taught me a lot about the game. One thing I learned about myself is that I have to always learn to adjust and be coachable. They were always teaching me something.”
Walker found himself making his major-league debut on opening day last year but also experienced having to go back to Triple-A for a few weeks as part of the growth process. He finished the year with 16 homers, 51 RBIs and a .276 average in 117 games.
Winn expects to see more from Walker this season.
“I expect to see Jordan Walker things,” Winn said. “I’ve seen him play for three-four years now and he’s only gotten bigger and better every year … I think he’s going to show up and handle business.
“He doesn’t hear a lot of outside noise. Media doesn’t really affect him or comments don’t really affect him. He’s just going to go out there and play for his family, play for his brothers. I think he will have a great year.”
Walker and Winn have been together since they were drafted by the Cardinals in 2020, climbing together through the minor leagues as their friendship grew.
Having success together in the major leagues was a dream back then, but is now closer to reality.
“If he’s going I feel like I’m going a little bit,” Winn said. “Whenever he hits a double I feel like part of me hit a double. I know he feels the same way. When we are rolling together it’s a lot of fun.”
It took Winn until Aug. 18 to make his major-league debut last season and he struggled offensively over his 37 games, hitting just .172. That didn’t diminish his expectations for himself this season.
“I’m just going to go out there and compete,” Winn said. “I want to go into spring training with the same mindset as last year. I got some opportunities last year and made the most of them. I’m going to go in there not thinking that it’s my spot. I’m thinking I need to earn a spot.
“I know they (the Cardinals) believed in me last season and still believe in me. I just want to go out there and compete for a spot. I’ve never been the type to feel entitled to anything. I don’t want to be given a spot. I want to go out there and earn it.”
Walker has spent this offseason in Jupiter, working on his outfield play almost daily with Jose Oquendo. Winn has been working at his offseason home in Houston. They have remained in constant contact, however, with Walker also expecting a big season from Winn.
“I’m not worried about him at all,” Walker said. “I’ve seen him hit for four years now. I know he can handle it, I know what kind of player he is. I think he needs to just relax, just like I had a problem relaxing. I think we’re pretty similar when it comes to that.”
Part of Walker’s advice to Scott was along the same lines.
“He just needs to keep doing what he’s doing,” Walker said. “I just kind of gave him little tidbits of how it’s going to go in spring training, some heads-ups about how things are going to work.”
Winn is looking forward to playing with Scott as well.
“Watching the highlights, seeing him robbing a home run jumping 13 feet in the air, it’s different,” Winn said. “I’d like to see that for sure in person. I can’t wait to play with that guy.”
At the Winter Warm-up in 2023, Walker’s autograph sold for $30. It jumped to $75 this year. Winn’s autograph price a year ago was $25. It’s $40 this year, and both he and Walker sold out immediately.
Scott’s autograph cost $10 this year. He hopes that price jumps in 2025, because it will mean he is still following the Walker and Winn trajectory.
“He just was giving me a couple of pointers about how to approach things and being noticed,” Scott said of his talks with Walker. “I was glad to take that knowledge from him. I think if I continue to be myself I will have a pretty good opportunity.”
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
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