ST. LOUIS — When discussing top Cardinals prospect Jordan Walker’s rapid rise from 2020 first-round draft pick to the cusp of the majors at just 20 years old, teammates and executives during this edition of Cardinals Winter Warm-Up marveled at how the organization’s co-minor league player of the year always seems ready for the next level ahead of schedule.
Seated behind Walker during his Monday morning autograph session with fans on the second level of Ballpark Village, wearing a Springfield Cardinals hat along with a proud smile, was one of the first to notice that trend.
Deborah Wingfield is neither teammate nor team official. She is a Cardinals fan — well, after converting from the Braves along with the rest of the Walkers — but she has a much more important title than that. She’s a grandmother, and you better believe she’s proud of her grandson, as proud as she was the day Jordan Walker took his very first steps in her Georgia living room. Yes, that initial teetering walk came earlier than expected.
