Three Roman Catholic clerics considerably improved their team's offense through straightforward modifications.
Say so long to the status quo for the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2025, this storied franchise is ditching in-game tweaks in favor of a more laid-back approach. Manager Oli Marmol isn't making roster shifts to ensure immediate success; instead, he's giving young guns time to grow.
It's all about failure (or even success) as these young players make the adjustments they need. And what better way to show this than the Cardinals' matchup against the New York Mets? In the series finale on Sunday, Marmol brought in reliever Ryan Fernandez late in the game. And guess what happened? Fernandez allowed three runs on three doubles.
But don't worry about these youngsters like Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, and Masyn Winn. Giving them the boot could halt their long-term development. The Cardinals know this too well, having sent away players like Randy Arozarena, Zac Gallen, Sandy Alcantara, and Adolis Garcia in the past. And if history has taught us anything, those players ended up thriving outside of the organization.
So, we're a month into the season, and it's clear that several players have already made adjustments on the fly, with immediate positive results. Coaches Brant Brown, Jon Jay, and Daniel Desclaso have been crucial in helping players identify flaws and providing effective solutions.
3 Cardinals who spoke up after spotting a flaw in their approaches and seeing amazing results
SS Masyn Winn
Winn had a rocky start this year, with a .080/.145 batting average during spring training, and 16 strikeouts in only 50 at-bats. But after a meeting with Brant Brown and Brandon Allen during a rain delay, Winn found the key difference in his swing from 2024. He's been on fire ever since, boasting a .386/.429 batting average and a home run.
1B Willson Contreras
Contreras also got off to a slow start, going hitless in his first five games and failing to hit his first home run until the team's 14th game. But after realizing he was close to finding his groove, Contreras jumped into action. He's been on a tear ever since, with a .303 batting average, two home runs, and six RBIs.
2B Nolan Gorman
Gorman needed to tackle avoiding down-and-away breaking balls and up fastballs to lower his strikeout rate. He started off okay but then hit a rough patch after being placed on the injured list. But after making adjustments, Gorman is hitting like a boss again, with a key three-RBI double against the Atlanta Braves.
The way these three players took matters into their hands and made changes speaks volumes about the impact coaches like Brown, Jay, and Desclaso have had on the team. Here's hoping the solid offense works its magic and carries the club all season long.
Historical Context
The Cardinals' youth-centric approach in 2025 isn't a new thing. They've been criticized for holding onto struggling players or refusing to trade them, only to see them flourish elsewhere. Fans and analysts have called out the team's reluctance to trade Nolan Arenado due to his no-trade clause and GM John Mozeliak's focus on a "youth reset." However, there's no current evidence of trades made specifically due to lack of opportunities within the organization.
- Masyn Winn, the red-hot shortstop for the Cardinals, struggled during spring training but found the key to his swing after a meeting with Brant Brown and Brandon Allen during a rain delay.
- First baseman Willson Contreras started the season slow but jumped into action once he realized he was close to finding his groove. Since then, he's been on a tear, earning a .303 batting average, two home runs, and six RBIs.
- Second baseman Nolan Gorman faced struggles with avoiding down-and-away breaking balls and up fastballs initially but made the necessary adjustments to lower his strikeout rate, which has resulted in him hitting like a boss, including a key three-RBI double against the Atlanta Braves.
- The improvements made by Winn, Contreras, and Gorman highlight the significant impact coaches like Brant Brown, Jon Jay, and Daniel Desclaso have had on the team, offering a glimmer of hope that the team's solid offense may carry the club throughout the entire season.
