Jordan Walker isn't just rocking up to the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia this year; the dude is stepping into the Home Run Derby on Monday night, and get this: Eno Sarris from The Athletic just dropped the bomb that the Cardinals slugger is the absolute dark horse nobody is seeing coming. While everyone's buzzing about guys like Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Junior Caminero, Ben Rice, and Munetaka Murakami, Sarris is out here saying Walker could actually win the whole damn thing. Talk about a curveball!
Forget the Favorites, This Derby's About Raw Power
So, why is Walker, who's "only" 10 home runs off the National League lead, the guy to watch? Sarris breaks it down: Walker's got a "really quick bat" and he's "demonstrated elite raw power." He might not have the biggest name recognition compared to the other top sluggers showing up at Citizens Bank Park, but underrating him would be a huge mistake. This isn't just about hitting bombs; it's about how you hit them. The Cardinals slugger's combination of a quick bat and serious power is crucial, especially with how this year's Home Run Derby rules are set up. It’s way less about endless endurance and way more about pure, unadulterated raw power now. It's why Walker, alongside Jac Caglianone, might be the underdogs, but they share that one vital trait that can win it all: elite bat speed backing up raw power.The Numbers Don't Lie: Bat Speed Is King
When you want to talk about raw power, what are we really looking at? Sarris nails it, stating that "Bat speed and EV90 are our best measures of raw power, and this event is all about raw power." EV90, for the uninitiated, is basically a player's 90th percentile of exit velocities over a season, and it's super tight with bat speed. And guess what? Walker is elite in both these metrics. According to Baseball Savant, this dude clocks an average bat speed of 79.2 mph. That's good for second in all of MLB! He's also rocking an EV50 of 105.7, which ranks sixth. Yeah, Junior Caminero might have him beat in both those categories, but don't sleep on Walker. He’s got the pure tools, the quick bat, and the exit velocity to absolutely crush the competition and take home the crown tonight in Philadelphia. So when the Derby kicks off tonight at Citizens Bank Park, forget the big names for a sec. Keep your eyes glued to Jordan Walker. This guy has the raw power and bat speed to absolutely light up Philadelphia and pull off the biggest upset of the night. You'd be crazy to miss it!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.