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Cardinals: 3 solutions at shortstop not named Xander Bogaerts

By Eric Treuden

Mar 18, 2022; Jupiter, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Edmundo Sosa (63) signs autographs prior to the game against the Houston Astros during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2022; Jupiter, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Edmundo Sosa (63) signs autographs prior to the game against the Houston Astros during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 05: Tommy Edman #19 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two-run rbi single against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on May 05, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 05: Tommy Edman #19 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two-run rbi single against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on May 05, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Cardinals shortstop options: Tommy Edman

Tommy Edman, the 27-year old switch-hitting utilityman, has a serious case in favor of him being the best player on this current Cardinals squad. He is as versatile and durable as they come and has a Gold Glove under his belt and a 30-steal season as well.

Still in just his fourth season in the majors, Edman has played second, third, short and all three outfield spots and has put up a positive dWAR in each season so far. He has posted 3.0 oWAR twice in his career and seems to be well on his way to a third time hitting that mark in 2022.

With the demotion of Paul De Jong to Triple-A, the Cardinals immediately announced that Edman would begin to get reps at shortstop after serving exclusively as a second baseman to start the year. He has just 122 innings in his career at shortstop under his belt but he has made only two errors and has rated positively in his brief tenure at the position.

While Edman has not made any appearances at short yet this season with the presences of Edmundo Sosa, Kramer Robertson and Brendan Donovan, he has a real chance to stick there if he continues to play solid defense anywhere he is plugged in by the Cardinals management.

Edman’s unique skillset has already shown him to be capable of double digit home run totals, 25+ steals and a .300 batting average while being a consistent threat to win more Gold Gloves on defense down the line.

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