St. Louis Cardinals Rookie Does Something Not Done For Franchise in More Than 20 Years

St. Louis Cardinals rookie Jordan Walker has joined Albert Pujols in team history.

The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night by a score of 7-2.

In the win, the Cardinals got multi-hit efforts from Paul Goldschmidt and rookie Jordan Walker, the latter of which did something not done for the franchise in more than 20 years.

Per ESPN Stats & Info:

Jordan Walker hit his 9th HR of the season, the most in a season by a Cardinals player at age 21 or younger since Albert Pujols in 2001 (37).

Jordan Walker hit his 9th HR of the season, the most in a season by a Cardinals player at age 21 or younger since Albert Pujols in 2001 (37). pic.twitter.com/pBdzt8b6bD

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 21, 2023

It's a long way to go to catch Pujols in Cardinals lore, but it's been a great start to a career for Walker, who was ranked the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball earlier this season. 

He's hitting .282 for the season with nine homers, 28 RBI and three stolen bases. He's had 209 at-bats after two separate stints with the major league club. 

He was a first-round pick of the Cardinals in the 2020 season and broke camp with the team this year before being sent down and recalled.

He's been a bright spot in an otherwise horribly disappointing year for the Cardinals. After winning the National League Central last season, the Cardinals are in fourth place in the division. They trail the first-place Cincinnati Reds by 10.0 games.

However, they are making a push right now, having won eight of 10 and six games in a row.

They'll take on the Cubs again on Friday afternoon. First pitch at Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. ET.

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