Fansided

3 Cardinals MVP candidates, and 1 player who should be benched

By Mark Powell

Jul 23, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) and third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) react after the Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 23, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) and third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) react after the Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cardinals, Nolan Gorman
CINCINNATI, OHIO – AUGUST 31: Nolan Gorman #16 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats in the 12th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 31, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Cardinals MVP candidate: Nolan Gorman

Nolan Gorman has emerged as the third big bat in the St. Louis lineup. While he’s played at several positions, including designated hitter, Gorman has been a tough out so far this season.

So far this season, Gorman is slashing .333/.421/.667 and has the highest OPS on the team. He also has four home runs and 14 RBIs to lead St. Louis as well. While Jordan Walker’s hot start got the majority of media attention considering he’s only a rookie, it was another young player in Gorman who arguably made a larger impact.

Gorman’s productivity all goes back to his offseason work. He emerged in spring training as one of the best pure hitters in the St. Louis system, and so far his stats reflect that. As Redbird Rants’ Josh Jacobs writes, Gorman has improved in one key department:

"“This season, Gorman has cut down his strikeout rate significantly and grown his walk rate in a big way. When pitchers do give him something in the zone, he’s been doing damage with it time and time again. Gorman is already looking like the kind of guy scouts and fans were dreaming he could be at the plate.”"

It’s that consistent work which makes Gorman a scary out moving forward.

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