You never want to see a player get injured, but when it happens, attention quickly shifts to who might fill the void. With Jordan Walker sidelined, the St. Louis Cardinals now have a few players who stand to gain from the extra playing time.
On Saturday morning, the team announced that Walker was placed on the injured list due to inflammation in his left wrist. While it’s unclear how long he’ll be out, his absence opens the door for other young talents to step up and make an impact.
Manager Oliver Marmol has been juggling at-bats among a crowded group of young players all season, often leaving a few on the outside looking in. With Walker out, new opportunities are emerging for those eager to prove themselves.
Ryan Vilade, who signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals this past offseason, has only appeared in 20 MLB games, producing a 15 wRC+ in 56 plate appearances. Now, he’s getting another opportunity, as the Cardinals selected him to fill Jordan Walker’s spot on the roster.
Vilade had a brief stint with the Detroit Tigers last year but has spent most of his time in the minors since debuting with the Colorado Rockies in 2021. He hadn’t shown much production at the higher levels—until this season.
Now 26 and a former 48th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Vilade is having the best Triple-A campaign of his career, hitting .280/.375/.476 with five home runs, 31 RBIs, and five stolen bases over 48 games. While it would be surprising if Vilade earned a permanent role in St. Louis, he has a real shot to prove himself at the major league level.
Some fans may be disappointed that Thomas Saggese wasn’t the one promoted, but with limited playing time available, Saggese likely would’ve been stuck on the bench. Vilade, on the other hand, can serve as a low-risk option who won’t cause a stir if he doesn’t play regularly, yet now has the chance to prove he belongs in the big leagues.
If he capitalizes on this opportunity, Vilade still faces long odds of sticking around once Walker returns. However, his performance could lead to a future with the Cardinals once roster decisions shake out—or possibly catch the attention of another MLB team looking to give him a chance.
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