Three St. Louis Cardinals With a Golden Opportunity After Jordan Walker’s Injury
When a player like Jordan Walker goes down with an injury, it’s an unfortunate setback—but also an opening for others to rise. The Cardinals announced that Walker would hit the injured list due to left wrist inflammation. While there’s no exact timetable for his return, the door is now open for others to step up.
Manager Oliver Marmol has faced challenges trying to juggle at-bats for the team’s younger players. With Walker sidelined, three specific players have a clearer path to make their mark.
1. Ryan Vilade
Vilade, who joined the Cardinals on a minor league deal this offseason, has had minimal MLB experience—just 20 games since his debut in 2021. But after being added to the roster to replace Walker, he now has a fresh shot.
Previously struggling to produce at the Triple-A level, Vilade has turned it around this year, batting .280/.375/.476 with 5 home runs and 31 RBIs across 48 games, along with five stolen bases. At 26 and a former 48th overall pick in 2017, this may be his best chance to finally prove he belongs in the majors.
While some fans may have hoped for top prospect Thomas Saggese instead, Vilade offers the advantage of flexibility—he can play without the pressure of expectations and showcase his progress. Even if he doesn’t stay on the roster when Walker returns, a strong showing could earn him a future role in St. Louis or catch the eye of another team.
2. Nolan Gorman
Before Walker’s injury, Gorman was already struggling to find consistent at-bats. Manager Oliver Marmol recently admitted that Gorman was the toughest player to fit into the lineup.
Now, with a bit more space in the lineup, Gorman has an opportunity to claw his way back into relevance. While Alec Burleson will likely continue to play most days against right-handed pitching, Gorman could see more chances if he starts swinging the bat well.
His 2025 numbers are rough so far (.189/.283/.300, 1 HR), and he’s coming off a disappointing 2024 season as well. But his 2023 campaign showed real promise—27 home runs and a 118 wRC+ in 119 games. If he can find that form again, this could be the start of a comeback. If not, his future in St. Louis may be in doubt.
3. Alec Burleson
Burleson began the season as the go-to designated hitter against righties but lost some of that role as Ivan Herrera began to shine. However, Burleson has found new ways into the lineup—playing first base or shifting back to corner outfield spots.
After a quiet start to the season, Burleson caught fire in May, hitting .306/.348/.565 with four homers and four doubles. The Cardinals now see him as a crucial part of the lineup versus right-handed pitching—and he’s even earning more chances against lefties.
If Burleson continues to thrive, it will be hard to bump him from the lineup, even when Walker returns. At 26 and a former top-100 prospect, Burleson has already shown he can perform at a high level—he was the team’s best hitter in the first half of last season against righties. Now, he’s looking to prove that success wasn’t a fluke.
In Summary:
Walker’s injury, while unfortunate, gives Vilade, Gorman, and Burleson a shot to prove themselves. Whether it’s Vilade chasing his first real MLB breakthrough, Gorman fighting to reclaim a lost role, or Burleson solidifying himself as a lineup fixture, the next few weeks could be pivotal for their futures.
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