Jordan Walker joins three legendary Cardinals in HR history to begin season

The 23-year-old slugger is off to a historic start in St. Louis.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player in the midst of a powerful swing, with the ball and player's body fractured into overlapping planes of vibrant colors.Jordan Walker's historic power surge has put him in elite company among Cardinals legends.Today in Pittsburgh

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker has joined three legendary Cardinals players - Mark McGwire, Scott Rolen, and Albert Pujols - as the only players in franchise history to hit at least seven home runs in the team's first 15 games of a season. The 23-year-old is hitting .327 with seven homers and 14 RBIs through the Cardinals' first 15 games, helping the team to an 8-7 record and putting them just one game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central.

Why it matters

Walker's historic start is a major bright spot for the Cardinals, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season. If the young slugger can keep up this torrid pace, he could be in for a monster year and help propel the Cardinals back into playoff contention.

The details

Through 15 games, Walker has 18 hits, including seven home runs and two doubles. He's driven in 14 runs and scored 13 times, posting an impressive 1.138 OPS. His power surge has put him in elite company, as he's now joined McGwire (1998), Rolen (2004), and Pujols (2006) as the only Cardinals to hit at least seven homers in the team's first 15 games of a season.

  • The Cardinals are 8-7 to begin the 2026 MLB season.

The players

Jordan Walker

A 23-year-old outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals who is off to a historic power-hitting start to the 2026 season.

Mark McGwire

A legendary slugger who played for the Cardinals and holds the single-season home run record.

Scott Rolen

A former Cardinals third baseman and seven-time All-Star who is also in the Cardinals' record books for home runs to start a season.

Albert Pujols

One of the greatest players in Cardinals history, a first-ballot Hall of Famer who is also on the list of Cardinals players with the most home runs to start a season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Cardinals' division rival who currently hold a one-game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central standings.

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What they’re saying

“Walker became the fourth Cardinals player in franchise history to hit at least seven homers in the team's first 15 games, joining Mark McGwire (1998), Scott Rolen (2004), and Albert Pujols (2006).”

— Brenden Schaeffer, MLB.com writer

The takeaway

Jordan Walker's historic power surge to start the 2026 season has put him in elite company among Cardinals legends, and if he can keep up this torrid pace, he could be in for a breakout year that helps propel the Cardinals back into playoff contention in the NL Central.