Oli Marmol Holds Nothing Back on 23-Year-Old Cardinals Player as Work Ethic Issues Threaten Future With Team

The Cardinals have made it clear they still believe in their 23-year-old star’s power; however, patience is wearing thin. Manager Oli Marmol did not sugarcoat the moment, stressing that the star’s lack of consistency and urgency is becoming a growing issue for the team. After a rocky season filled with strikeouts and missed scopes, the message from the top could not be louder.

Jordan Walker’s journey in 2025 has been anything but steady. After missing time because of an appendicitis procedure, the star briefly appeared to turn a corner with a powerful 13-game stretch where he slugged six doubles and posted an .808 OPS. However, just as quickly as Walker surged, the slump returned. By August, Walker’s chase rate, strikeouts, and whiff percentage had spiked, landing him back on the bench during a vital stretch of games.

Marmol finally broke his silence with a blunt statement after the team’s win over the Athletics. “We have not seen the consistency that we would have hoped for by now,” Marmol said. “Our hope is that changes. He’s still young and this could flip at any moment. But there’s real work to be done and there’s a real level of dedication and consistency that needs to come with that.” The statement read more like a warning than encouragement.

For some fans and analysts, the natural follow-up concern is: What exactly is missing from Jordan Walker’s game? Marmol laid it out — from his cage preparation, to his pitch recognition, to his lack of urgency in making adjustments, the issues go beyond mechanics. The Cardinals’ hitting staff has seen other young hitters, like Alec Burleson and Brendan Donovan, benefit from Brant Brown’s coaching approach. However, Jordan Walker, despite his buy-in at times, has struggled to maintain faith in the process when the outcomes dip.

Such an inconsistency has turned data into red flags. While Jordan Walker’s exit velocity (92.3 mph) and hard-hit rate (49.8 percent) place him among the game’s elite in raw power, the star’s inability to square up pitches (18.1 percent rate, bottom 1 percent in MLB) and poor launch angle sweet spot percentage (28.4 percent, bottom 3 percent) highlight why the production does not match the talent. Marmol’s frustration is not related to power—it is related to urgency, and as the season winds down, the Cardinals are signaling that it is now or never for their once-cant-miss prospect.

While Marmol’s tough love toward Jordan Walker stole headlines, the team also welcomed back a familiar face who could provide much-needed guidance to a struggling roster.

Yadier Molina’s return and Pedro Pages’ breakout add new layers to the Cardinals’ future

Yadier Molina’s availability in the dugout this weekend could not come at a better time for the Cardinals. As a team icon identified for discipline and preparation, his effect could be exactly what young stars like Walker need. Beyond his managerial aspirations, Molina provides quick mentorship—specifically, for catching prospect Jimmy Crooks III—while also setting an instance of what it takes to sustain excellence at the big-league level. His engagement highlights how much the Cardinals value continuity from their legends.

However, Pedro Pages has emerged as a bright spot in an otherwise dreary second half. After struggling early in the season, the 25-year-old catcher exploded in August with a .351 batting average, five home runs, and a team-best 15 RBIs, posting a scorching 1.097 OPS. While fans once questioned why he was getting so many starts, Pages has flipped the script, proving he belongs in the interaction for the 2026 everyday role. Pages’ breakout month has reshaped the catching landscape for the team, setting up an intriguing dynamic alongside Crooks and under Molina’s watchful eye.

The Cardinals find themselves at a crossroads, balancing the frustration of Jordan Walker’s stalled development with the excitement of Pedro Pages’ breakout and Yadier Molina’s return to the dugout. For a team that thrives on tradition and accountability, such storylines highlight the urgency of the present and the promise of the future. As the season winds down, all eyes will be on whether the Cardinals can turn these sparks into momentum.