Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Potentially Struck Gold With Game-Changing Slugger; Is He Next Young Star?

St. Louis may have found its next homegrown star

Patrick McAvoy

Cardinals Potentially Struck Gold With Game-Changing Slugger; Is He Next Young Star?
Cardinals Potentially Struck Gold With Game-Changing Slugger; Is He Next Young Star? /
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The St. Louis Cardinals certainly must like what they are seeing from Nolan Gorman. 

The 23-year-old was drafted by St. Louis in the first round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft and made his big league debut with the club in 2022. Gorman somewhat struggled as he got adjusted to the big leagues slashing .226/.300/.420 to go along with 14 home runs and 35 RBIs in 89 games. 

Gorman entered the 2023 season without a set position but has thrived in every opportunity given to him so far. He began the season mainly as the club's designated hitter but also has seen time at second base and third base so far in the young season. No matter what position he has been in, he has clubbed the baseball. 

The 23-year-old currently is leading the Cardinals in home runs with 12, RBIs with 36, slugging percentage at .629, and OPS at an eye-popping 1.014. So far this season, Gorman has taken a massive leap forward and is slashing .295/.386/.629 in 40 games so far. The young slugger's .629 slugging percentage not only is leading St. Louis but is the top mark in all of baseball overall. 

Although the Cardinals struggled to begin the season, St. Louis now is the hottest team in all of baseball and Gorman is a major reason why. St. Louis' starting rotation has given the club plenty of trouble, but the offense is what has kept the team afloat and Gorman is leading the way. 

At just 23-years-old he's in line to remain with the Cardinals for the foreseeable future and if he can keep up this level of play, the club should do everything in its power to make sure that is the reality. Gorman currently is fourth in all of baseball in wRC+ at 173 and his advanced metrics are off the charts. By every measurable statistic, Gorman has taken a massive leap forward and should help the Cardinals for years to come. 

 More MLB: Ex-Cardinals Hurler Officially Signs With Rival NL Central Club In Attempt To Revive Career

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu