Jordan Walker joins Albert Pujols in Cardinals history with monster power-speed milestone

1 hour ago 3

Jordan Walker's long-awaited breakout season just reached another level. The St. Louis Cardinals slugger crushed his 20th home run of the season Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, marking the first 20-homer campaign of his young career. But the blast wasn't just another milestone—it placed Walker alongside two of the biggest legends to ever wear a Cardinals uniform.

With 20 home runs and more than 10 stolen bases through the club's first 87 games, Walker became just the third player in franchise history to accomplish the feat.

The other two?

Albert Pujols and Rogers Hornsby.

Jordan Walker enters elite Cardinals company

Walker has been one of baseball's biggest breakout stars in 2026, and Sunday's home run added another remarkable accomplishment to his résumé.

According to Cardinals statistics, only three players have recorded at least 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases through the team's first 87 games:

2026 — Jordan Walker
2009 — Albert Pujols
1922 — Rogers Hornsby

That's exclusive company for any player, let alone a 24-year-old who entered the season with plenty to prove after an up-and-down start to his major league career. Walker also reached the 20-home run plateau for the first time in his MLB career, another sign that the former top prospect is beginning to fulfill the enormous expectations that have surrounded him since arriving in St. Louis.

20+ homers and 10+ SB in team’s first 87 games, Cardinals history:

2026 Jordan Walker
2009 Albert Pujols
1922 Rogers Hornsby https://t.co/rTtTDtGGwz

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 5, 2026

Walker's breakout season keeps getting better

The towering right fielder has developed into one of the Cardinals' most dangerous hitters this season. Entering Sunday's game, Walker was batting .291 with 19 home runs, 63 RBIs and an .870 OPS. His three-run homer against the Cubs pushed him to the 20-homer mark while continuing an impressive stretch that has helped keep St. Louis in the National League playoff race.

His blend of power and athleticism has made him one of the league's rare five-tool threats, and the stolen-base total only highlights how complete his game has become.

MORE: Only at Wrigley: Fog delay sparks unforgettable Fourth of July celebration

The comparisons are impossible to ignore

Any time a Cardinals player finds himself on a list with Pujols and Hornsby, it's going to grab attention. Pujols authored one of the greatest careers in franchise history, finishing with 469 home runs as a Cardinal across two stints while helping lead St. Louis to two World Series titles. Hornsby remains one of the greatest hitters baseball has ever seen, winning multiple MVP awards and posting legendary offensive numbers during the 1920s.

Walker still has a long way to go before he deserves comparisons to either Hall of Fame-caliber star. But after reaching 20 home runs for the first time and becoming just the third Cardinal ever to pair that kind of power with double-digit stolen bases through the club's first 87 games, it's becoming increasingly clear that 2026 is shaping up as the season many believed was possible.

If Walker continues producing at this pace, his first All-Star campaign may end up being remembered as the year he officially arrived as the Cardinals' next franchise cornerstone.