Cardinals Fan-Favorite Has Makings To Be Next St. Louis Homegrown Star

St. Louis fans should be very excited heading into the 2023 season

The 2023 season officially is upon us after what felt like an especially long off-season.

The St. Louis Cardinals are poised for a breakout 2023 season and there's plenty to be excited about. St. Louis finished 2022 with the fourth-best record in the National League at 93-69 but failed to make the National League Divisional Round of the playoffs after being upset by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card Round. 

Although the season didn't exactly how Cardinals fans had hoped, there's no reason why St. Louis shouldn't be even better in 2023. The Cardinals returned much of the same roster but should be in an even better place after signing three-time All-Star Willson Contreras. 

One player who should play a major role with the club in 2023 is outfielder Lars Nootbaar. The 25-year-old has an improbable journey to the big leagues, but now firmly is the club's starting left fielder and has some high expectations. Nootbaar earned the job throughout the 2022 season and impressed finishing the year slashing .228/.340/.448 to go along with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs. The 25-year-old also added 16 doubles and three triples in 108 games of action. 

Nootbaar made headlines throughout the World Baseball Classic while helping lead Team Japan to the title and if he's able to carry the momentum, should get out to a hot start this season. 

At just 25 years old, Nootbaar's ceiling certainly is high. The Cardinals outfielder's advanced metrics were off the charts in 2022. Nootbaar finished the 2022 season in the 98th percentile in walk percentage, 90th percentile in average exit velocity, 80th percentile in hard hit percentage, 85th percentile in barrel percentage, 92nd percentile in chase rate, 94th percentile in arm strength, and 74th percentile in sprint speed. All in all, Nootbaar is an advanced statistic darling. 

If Nootbaar can take a step forward this season, it would be massive for the Cardinals. St. Louis already shined in 2022, but there's plenty of reason to believe it could be even better in 2023 and Nootbaar's ascension could be a major reason why. St. Louis has a long history of homegrown greats with Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina being two of the biggest examples. While no player is at their level, Nootbaar could be the next homegrown Cardinals star if he can make a leap in 2023. 

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