Potential significant changes occurring at the plate for St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Gorman
Gorman Transforms at the Plate in 2025
Nolan Gorman looked lost at the plate in 2024, coming off a 27-homer season that many hoped would be the start of a lengthy tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals. But his performance in 2024, which included a .203 batting average and a .671 OPS, left doubts about his future. His plate discipline and contact rate were particularly concerning.
Gorman's contact percentage on balls in the strike zone was 70.7%, a number that typically stays above 75% for major leaguers, even those with elite power. His whiff rate, or the number of pitches he swung and missed at, was a staggering 38.7%. But in 2025, in a limited sample, Gorman has dramatically improved in each of these categories.
Gorman Emerges as a New Hitter
To this point in 2025, Gorman is 5 for 15 with two doubles and a home run, and his plate discipline stats suggest that there could be real progress under the hood. Gorman's in-zone contact percentage has risen to 84.2%, his chase rate is down to 22.2%, and his whiff percentage is only 24%.
The Cardinals' new hitting coach, Brant Brown, has adopted a unique strategy of approaching each hitter individually based on their strengths and weaknesses. This personalized approach has been a major success for the Cardinals, whose offense currently ranks among the top in the major leagues. Despite missing over half the season due to an injury, Gorman hasn't had as many opportunities as others to display his progress, especially since Brendan Donovan has been setting the Major League Baseball (MLB) on fire.
John Mozeliak, President of Baseball Operations, initially wanted Gorman to get 600 at-bats in 2025. However, he later backtracked on those comments, stating that Gorman needed to be patient in the first month of the season while others found their footing. This approach was reasonable, especially after Gorman struggled in spring training. But if Gorman continues to show a significantly improved eye at the plate and the ability to make consistent contact while maintaining his power, the Cardinals will need to find ways to get him into the lineup more often.
If these numbers hold, Gorman could become a force in the heart of the batting order and provide game-changing power at a position that isn't known for its thump. We're only 10% of the way through the season, but if Gorman can contribute to the Cardinals' high-flying offense, 2025 could be an unexpectedly special year in St. Louis.
Brown's Individualized Approach Sparks Change
Brown's personalized approach with Gorman has focused on refining Gorman’s identity as a hitter through tailored preparation. This work, often conducted at their nearby homes, has emphasized Gorman’s strengths and situational awareness[5]. The results have been early positive signs of a revival for Gorman, who has shown flashes of the form that made him a breakout player in 2023[1][4]. This targeted work represents a critical effort to unlock the young slugger’s potential after a disappointing 2024[4][5]. The Cardinals’ league-leading offensive metrics (10.25 hits/game, .278 team BA) highlight Brown’s broader success, but his targeted work with Gorman is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
- In 2025, Gorman's in-zone contact percentage has risen to 84.2%, a significant improvement from previous years.
- The Cardinals' new hitting coach, Brant Brown, has adopted a unique strategy of approaching each hitter individually, including Nolan Gorman.
- Despite missing over half the season due to an injury, Gorman hasn't had as many opportunities as others to display his progress because Brendan Donovan has been setting Major League Baseball (MLB) on fire.
- If Gorman continues to show a significantly improved eye at the plate and the ability to make consistent contact while maintaining his power, the Cardinals will need to find ways to get him into the lineup more often.
