The St. Louis Cardinals are surpassing expectations this season, recently securing a commanding 14-7 victory in a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies. This win marks their ninth in the last ten games, placing them just one game behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central race.
Initially, this season was seen as a rebuilding year for the Cardinals, offering the team an opportunity to assess its young talent. However, many of these young players have demonstrated they are ready to rise to the occasion sooner than expected. Notable breakouts have come from Victor Scott II and Lars Nootbaar in the outfield, Ivan Herrera catching, and Matthew Liberatore pitching. The standout player, though, has been shortstop Masyn Winn.
Winn, a second-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, initially struggled in his transition to professional baseball. However, he soon ascended through the Cardinals’ minor league system, showcasing impressive defensive skills, remarkable athleticism, and a contact-focused batting approach. After a decent performance as a rookie in 2024, Winn’s breakthrough seemed imminent, especially given his young age of just 22.
Despite a challenging start to this season, including a forgettable spring training and no hits in his first 21 at-bats, Winn has turned his performance around dramatically. Recently, he had a four-hit game that elevated his batting average to an impressive .333 over his last 28 games, which includes five home runs, six doubles, and two stolen bases. Defensively, he continues to shine, and with his improved offensive capabilities, the Cardinals may very well have found their next star player.
While it’s still early in the season and this represents a small sample size, the signs are encouraging. If Winn continues on this trajectory, he could become a key player for the Cardinals, potentially evolving into a 20-20 or even 20-30 player in the years to come. This would provide a crucial building block for the team as they aim to return to contention, adding excitement to an already promising season.
With the combination of emerging talents like Scott II and Nootbaar alongside Winn, the future is looking bright for the Cardinals, bringing renewed hope to their fan base.