Four Players on the Arizona Cardinals Team that Warrant Concern at This Point
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Hey there, let's dive into some troublesome trends in the St. Louis Cardinals' team this season, specifically focusing on four players who've found themselves in hot water so far. But don't worry, we're not jumping to any conclusions just yet. We're only 20 games into their 142-game regular season, but it's safe to say some concerns are brewing.
Let's kick things off with Ryan Fernandez. By the time this piece drops, he might've already received a one-way ticket to Memphis to work out his funk. Fernandez's 2025 campaign has been a disaster, to put it mildly. In nine appearances thus far, he's surrendered runs in five, tallying up a whopping nine earned runs. It's a far cry from his 2024 success, where he was a key component in the Cardinals' stellar bullpen.
Last season, his 2.08 ERA across 43.1 innings of work in the first half made him a force to be reckoned with. However, during the second half, his ERA ballooned to 6.17. So, what's the culprit behind Fernandez's struggles? His fastball still seems serviceable, but his slider, once a +5 run value pitch, has seen a startling decline. In 2025, opposing hitters are slashing .438/.688 off his slider, compared to a measly .182/.295 the year prior.
It's time for Fernandez to hit the refresh button, and a stint in Memphis might be just what he needs to work on regaining control over his slider. The Cardinals can't afford to wait much longer for him to figure things out, as his lackluster performances are hindering the club. We'llsee how long the Cardinals stay patience with him.
Enrichment Data:While specific slider metrics for Ryan Fernandez in 2025 are unknown, his overall performance can be examined:
- Early struggles: Fernandez started the season with an 11.42 ERA through April, yielding runs in 5 of 9 appearances. Critics question his role in high-leverage situations, and some analysts advocate for his release due to inconsistency.[4][5]
- Role instability: Fernandez's inability to limit damage led to public scrutiny and rumors of his potential demotion or release. The Cardinals ultimately decided to send him to Triple-A on April 25.[3][5]
A possible explanation for his later-season effectiveness (if referenced in the truncated June/July data) could stem from improved control. However, specific pitch-specific adjustments or confirmatory data are not available.[3] Fernandez's early heavy reliance on his fastball left him vulnerable, with any secondary pitches like his slider proving inconsistent. [3][5] For pitch-specific metrics such as spin rates, horizontal/vertical movement, and whiff rates, refer to Statcast data (not provided here), which could offer a deeper understanding of his struggles.
- The struggling performance of Ryan Fernandez in the 2025 season, with a soaring ERA and declining slider effectiveness, has made him a trending topic in the MLB, especially in the St. Louis Cardinals' sports community.
- In an attempt to rediscover his form, Fernandez might find himself running a marathon of sorts in Memphis, as he aims to regain control over his slider. The Cardinals are keeping a close eye on him, as his lackluster performances are causing an average dip in the team's overall performance.
- Although specific slider metrics for Fernandez in 2025 are unavailable, his overall Performance reveals early struggles, with a high ERA and frequent surrendered runs. These difficulties have led to questions about his role in high-leverage situations, and some analysts have even advocated for his release due to inconsistency.
- For a deeper understanding of Ryan Fernandez's struggles, it would be beneficial to examine pitch-specific metrics like spin rates, horizontal/vertical movement, and whiff rates, as these could offer insights into why his secondary pitches like his slider have been inconsistent.
