Cardinals coach reveals Jordan Walker's Home Run Derby plan
· Yahoo Sports
Cardinals coach reveals Jordan Walker's Home Run Derby plan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visit betsport.cv for more information.
The St. Louis Cardinals will see a few familiar faces during the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby. Willson Contreras is a participant with the Boston Red Sox, while their own Jordan Walker has made the derby as well.
It's a very cool honor for Walker, especially considering how the beginning of his MLB career began. Walker has turned into a star, and this Home Run Derby is a chance to showcase that on a National stage.
Cardinals coach Kleininger Teran revealed to ESPN's Buster Olney the plan for Walker during the Home Run Derby. It's a simple plan, but it should work for the right-handed slugger.
Cardinals coach reveals Jordan Walker's Home Run Derby plan
Ahead of the Derby, Teran revealed the plan with Walker: "But we know what to do. I know where to put the ball -- middle in."
The plan for Walker is a very straightforward one: he want's to see pitches middle-in. That means he's not looking for anything too far outside or too far inside.
It's noteworthy that there's no specific mention of a height, which, for the 6-foot-6 slugger, does matter. A lower pitch versus a higher one seemingly doesn't matter, as long as it's over the middle-in portion of the plate.
OF course, ideally, Walker will be looking to use his limited swings on pitches over the middle-in part of the plate that aren't too low or too high. But, with no height mentioned, he might not be as picky.
MORE: Cardinals sign JJ Wetherholt to eight-year, $112.5 million contract extension
It's also worth noting that Olney revealed that Walker and Teran, while they've discussed strategy, have been "without much in the way of formal practice."
It might be a risk to head into the derby without practice, but it's uncharted territory for Walker, and it might work out just fine in the end.
Walker has hit 22 home runs this season, already well past his previous season-high in his young MLB career of 16 homers during his rookie 2023 season.
The Cardinals slugger is heading into the MLB Home Run Derby in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Monday night without much practice, but with a straightforward plan: attack on middle-in pitches from Kleininger Teran.
More MLB news:
- Cubs ‘realistic’ trade idea sends Seiya Suzuki to the Mariners for Luis Castillo
- Phillies trade idea lands Jung Hoo Lee and Robbie Ray from Giants for 2 prospects
- Yankees trade idea sends Carlos Lagrange to Athletics for utilityman Zack Gelof
- What did Blue Jays get for Tommy Nance? Twins send .855 OPS catcher prospect in trade
- What happened to Shohei Ohtani? Why Dodgers star won't pitch tonight, or play in All-Star Game