Cardinals' Oli Marmol Facing Backlash After Jordan Walker Decision

Cardinals' Oli Marmol Facing Backlash After Jordan Walker Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The St. Louis Cardinals currently find themselves in the playoff hunt, just 3.5 games out of the third National League Wild Card spot with a 60–59 record.

They’re coming off back-to-back series wins against two of the NL’s best teams—the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.

A major reason for the team’s recent success has been outfielder Jordan Walker, who’s been swinging a hot bat in his third season on the big-league roster after a slow start to the season.

The 23-year-old joined the organization after St. Louis selected him with their first-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.

Oli Marmol Benches Red-Hot Jordan Walker

Ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies, manager Oli Marmol opted to bench Walker, placing Lars Nootbaar in right field instead.

The decision came just one day after Walker singled, stole second base, and scored the team’s eventual game-winning run in a 3–2 win over the Cubs.

Cards vs. Colorado pic.twitter.com/fiK1K4oRb7

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 11, 2025

Cardinals Fans Frustrated With Marmol's Decision

St. Louis fans on X expressed frustration with Marmol’s decision to bench Walker following his recent success.

"Jordan Walker has been our best hitting outfielder for a month now... But we can't find a spot for him?" asked a fan.

Another fan said, "This team knows how to quell a hot hitter. Perplexing…"

"Someone should definitely grill Oli about Walker sitting. It was him that said at some point, you have to make me keep you in the lineup. What else does the kid have to do?" questioned a fan.

One fan wrote, "Sitting the once top prospect while on a hot streak in a 'youth movement' season is comical."

"And this is EXACTLY why Oli must Go!" said another.

Walker’s Numbers Since July Make Decision Even More Puzzling

The backlash stems from how well Walker has performed compared to the team’s other right field options since July:

• Jordan Walker: .315 batting average, .797 OPS
• Lars Nootbaar: .236 batting average, .647 OPS
• Alec Burleson: .250 batting average, .753 OPS
• Victor Scott: .158 batting average, .477 OPS

Walker’s .315 average leads the entire team since July, and his .797 OPS trails only All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras—making Marmol’s decision to bench him both surprising and seemingly at odds with his stated emphasis on a youth movement.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.