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Jordan Walker ends home run drought with long-awaited blast in hometown against Braves originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jordan Walker didn't have to wait long to make an impact in his return to his home state. Playing just outside his hometown of Stone Mountain, Georgia, the St. Louis Cardinals slugger launched his first home run since June 13 during Thursday night's matchup against the Atlanta Braves, snapping a drought that had stretched nearly three weeks.
For Walker, it was a timely reminder of the power that has made him one of the Cardinals' most dangerous hitters throughout the 2026 season.
Jordan Walker breaks out with first homer since June 13
Walker wasted little time making his presence felt at Truist Park. The 24-year-old connected for a three-run home run in the opening inning, giving the Cardinals an early cushion against the Braves. It was his first long ball since June 13 against the Minnesota Twins, ending a stretch of 17 games without a home run.
While the power numbers temporarily slowed, Walker continued to contribute in other ways during the drought. Entering Thursday's game, he was batting .288 with 17 home runs, 59 RBIs and an .852 OPS, remaining one of the National League's most productive young hitters. The home run pushed his season total to 18 while adding three more RBIs to an already impressive campaign.
Homecoming provides perfect backdrop
Thursday's performance carried extra significance for Walker. The Cardinals outfielder was born in nearby Stone Mountain, Georgia, making the series against Atlanta something of a homecoming. With family and friends likely in attendance, Walker delivered one of his biggest swings in weeks.
Few moments are sweeter for a hometown player than leaving the yard against the local team, and Walker did exactly that. The blast immediately gave St. Louis momentum as it looked to bounce back after Wednesday night's loss in the series opener.
MORE: Sal Stewart just did something no Reds hitter had ever done against baseball's hardest throwers
Walker remains cornerstone of Cardinals lineup
Even without a home run since mid-June, Walker never stopped producing offensively. His combination of power, batting average and run production has helped anchor the middle of St. Louis' lineup all season.
Through Thursday's game, Walker ranked among the National League leaders with 60 RBIs while continuing to flash the all-around offensive ability that made him one of baseball's top prospects.
His June numbers reflected a player who continued finding ways to contribute despite the lack of home runs, batting .283 with 28 hits and 15 RBIs during the month. Now, with the drought behind him, the Cardinals will hope Walker's latest blast is the beginning of another power surge.
If history is any indication, that's a welcome sign for a St. Louis club looking to climb back into the National League playoff race during the second half of the season.
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