The Cardinals may be slipping out of the postseason picture, but the last 24 games still matter plenty for Nolan Gorman.
St. Louis sits two games below .500 at 68-70, and while Chaim Bloom likely had this season pegged as a rebuilding year at the bottom of the NL Central, the Cardinals have hung around longer than expected. If they miss the Wild Card Series, the final month should turn into a tryout for 2027 - and Gorman is one of the biggest names in that conversation.
Gorman has flashed enough to keep the door open, but the inconsistency has been impossible to ignore. As FanSided’s John Perrotto put it, "[Nolan] Gorman has been good at times during his five seasons in the big leagues but really bad at other times," Perrotto wrote.
The power is still real. Gorman blasted a career-high 27 home runs as a 23-year-old in 2023, and he’s already got eight homers this season.
But the swing-and-miss has followed him throughout his career, and this year it’s been a major issue again. He’s striking out in 32.% of his plate appearances, while batting just .187 with a .590 OPS.
Gorman spent time at Triple-A Memphis after being optioned there in June, and now he’s back as the Cardinals’ primary third baseman. The organization still has reason to believe there’s something to work with, especially with his age and contract situation.
"Gorman, like [Matthew] Liberatore, is 26, and it is still too soon to write him off. Gorman needs to finish strong to be back with the Cardinals in 2027," Perrotto added.
He doesn’t reach free agency until 2029, so the Cardinals have time. But with the season winding down, Gorman also has a chance to make his strongest case yet that he belongs in their long-term plans.
In Other News...
Cardinals May Be Closing In On A Roster Shakeup Fans Wanted
The Cardinals are reportedly lining up a roster shakeup that has been on the radar for a while, with catcher Leo Bernal expected to get the call to the majors and make his debut against the Dodgers. Bernal, ranked as the clubs No. 7 prospect, would give St. Louis another young name to watch as the team keeps trying to find the right mix of energy and production.
Hancel Rincn may also be part of the picture, with rumors pointing to a promotion for the right-handed reliever to help the bullpen. Nothing has been officially confirmed by the Cardinals, though, so the plan still has room to shift before any moves become final. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Catching Picture Just Got More Complicated
The Cardinals are set to get a closer look at another part of their catching future, promoting Leo Bernal from Triple-A before their game against the Dodgers. Bernal, who was added to the 40-man roster last November, will take one of the two extra roster spots when the active roster expands on September 1, giving St. Louis another option as it continues sorting through a position group that has already required some maneuvering.
Bernal is expected to see time behind the plate and also get occasional work at first base, a sign the club wants some flexibility as it reshapes the catching mix for the stretch run. For a team that has spent the season balancing immediate needs with longer-term planning, the move adds another layer to an already unsettled picture and hints that the Cardinals are still deciding how they want the rest of the roster to fit together. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Could Lose A Key Front Office Figure This Offseason
The Cardinals may be facing another notable shakeup in the front office this offseason, with assistant general manager Randy Flores emerging as a leading candidate for the Angels general manager job. Flores, a former MLB pitcher who spent five seasons with St. Louis, has been part of the organizations leadership group and remains tied to the clubs decision-making even as the offseason begins to take shape.
John Mozeliaks future role has not yet been determined, and the Cardinals have not started interviewing candidates for the position, leaving Flores situation as one of the more important threads to watch. For a club that values continuity and institutional memory, the possibility of losing a former World Series contributor from the 2006 team adds another layer to an already unsettled winter. [Read more 🡒]