Cardinal's offensive potential remains restricted until they can unlock extra strength.
The St. Louis Cardinals' offense has been putting on a show, with a 2025 season start that leaves much to praise, despite their 10-14 record. This dynamic offense ranks second in batting average, sixth in on-base percentage, eighth in slugging percentage, and fifth in OPS in all of baseball. Even if they've had a minor chill recently (slipping to 16th, 21st, and 24th in the past 15 days), make no mistake - this team's offense has been nothing short of impressive.
Leading the charge this year are Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and Lars Nootbaar, with Ivan Herrera and Thomas Saggese delivering stellar performances in small sample sizes. Willson Contreras and Victor Scott II have been on fire lately, with Contreras clocking a .831 OPS in his last seven games and Scott posting a .917 OPS in the past week. Nolan Gorman is back in action after a brief injured list stint, and Masyn Winn is eager to make his presence felt again.
Yet, it's clear that the Cardinals' slugging needs more consistency if they're to score a flurry of runs. Their top 10 ranking in slugging percentage is primarily due to their league-leading 49 doubles. Despite this impressive number, their 18th place ranking in home runs limits their potential to enter the top 10 offenses all season long.
Lars Nootbaar and Ivan Herrera lead the team in home runs with just four, with Herrera playing in only seven games. The power deficiency worsens with the absence of Gorman, signaling a need for other players to shine when swinging for the fences.
Only a few players on the Cardinals have matched the home run prowess of their peers. Should Contreras fully recover, he'll undoubtedly contribute power in the lineup. Herrera has shown promise, but it may be too early to credit him with big-time power potential as well. Beyond those two, the source of top-end power remains elusive.
While Nootbaar and Donovan may eclipse 20 home runs each, it's unlikely Donovan will flirt with 30, and Nootbaar's power output is uncertain. Alec Burleson lacks a home run so far this season, and Jordan Walker, though a potential long-term power hitter, has yet to find his rhythm in 2025. Gorman has the capability to strike 40+ home runs, but his notorious strikeout issues make this goal challenging in the middle-of-the-order bat role.
This power deficiency isn't just a concern for the 2025 season but will also be a topic for discussion in 2026 and beyond unless someone captures the spotlight this year. The minor league lacks power potential, so the need for beefing up the lineup could be high on Chaim Bloom's shopping list.
In spite of the power shortage, there's no denying that this offense can be productive, thanks to its remarkable depth. The lineup's inconsistencies can be smoothed over by players who produce when the team needs it most. On-base skills complemented by a multitude of singles and doubles can indeed generate runs. However, the absence of consistent power even for extended periods could unveil the team's vulnerability. Without a reliable long ball threat, scoring runs potentially becomes more challenging, requiring the team to rely on their on-base skills and base hits for success.
- Wilson Contreras, with his recent .831 OPS, could potentially provide additional power in the Cardinals' lineup if he continues to perform well.
- Despite Ivan Herrera showing promise, it remains uncertain whether he possesses big-time power potential similar to Nolan Gorman, who is back in action after an injured list stint.
- While players like Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson may reach 20 home runs in the season, it's unclear if any of them will approach the 30-home run mark.
- The absence of a reliable long ball threat in the Cardinals' lineup, combined with the lack of power potential in the minor leagues, could necessitate the acquisition of powerful players, as finding a solution to the power deficiency could be a priority for Chaim Bloom in future seasons.
