His rapid rise up the prospect-ranking lists occurred with the same tantalizing speed he barrels baseballs and runs the bases.
Position switch? No big deal. Walker departed his familiar third-base dirt for the outfield and started producing wow-worthy throws from the grass.
Other teams have tried to pry the 2020 first-round draft pick away, the latest example coming at this past trade deadline, but the Cardinals have said no time and time again.
All signs point toward this upcoming season being the one that starts the major-league payoff.
"We have a lot of talent coming," Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said earlier this offseason, mentioning Walker specifically.