ESPN: Cardinals Spark Outrage for Betraying Beloved Young Star and Mishandling Roster Decisions

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol recently emphasized the importance of giving young power hitters opportunities to contribute; there are two stars who were to be given a better opportunity on March 15th to John Denton of MLB.com, Marmol explained that these players have the potential to be key offensive drivers for the team, making it crucial for them to receive consistent at-bats. His statement suggested that they would see significant playing time as the Cardinals’ designated hitter in 2025.

The organization has maintained this stance throughout the offseason, publicly stating its goal of securing 500 at-bats each for the two stars, who are Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker. With the team in a period of transition, ensuring these former top prospects develop into productive hitters is vital. If Walker and Gorman fail to progress as expected, the Cardinals could be forced to reevaluate their roster strategy moving forward.

However, recent lineup decisions hint that Gorman may not have the firm starting role he was expected to hold. During an exhibition game on Monday against the Memphis Redbirds, the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, Jordan Walker was positioned in right field, solidifying his role for the season. Gorman, on the other hand, was not assigned the designated hitter position in what appeared to be a preview of the Opening Day lineup. Instead, Alec Burleson occupied the DH spot.

Burleson, one of the Cardinals’ most effective hitters against right-handed pitching in 2024, has carried his strong performance into the new season. Last year, he posted a .224 batting average and a .740 OPS, hitting three home runs while maintaining a disciplined approach at the plate with nearly as many walks (five) as strikeouts (seven). His promising spring training further bolstered his case for a starting role.

In contrast, Gorman struggled throughout 2024, spending a significant portion of the season in Triple-A Memphis due to a concerning 37.6% strikeout rate and a power decline, as his isolated power (ISO) dropped from .241 in 2023 to .197 in 2024. These issues diminished his offensive impact, leaving him vulnerable to losing his spot.

Despite working extensively with new hitting coach Brant Brown during the offseason, Gorman failed to show major improvements in spring training. He batted just .189 with a .553 OPS, striking out 17 times in 56 plate appearances for a 21.4% K rate. His power remained limited, managing only one home run throughout the entire spring.

Now, it appears that Marmol is favoring Burleson over Gorman for the designated hitter role, signaling a shift in the Cardinals’ depth chart.

Gorman isn’t the only player who seemed to have a secured role but lost it late in camp. Infielder Jose Fermín was reportedly set to make the Cardinals’ 26-man roster, yet he was absent from the final list released on March 23rd.

Ultimately, prioritizing Burleson over Gorman appears to be a logical move for Opening Day. Given Gorman’s struggles and inconsistencies, he will need to prove that his strong 2023 season wasn’t an anomaly before reclaiming a regular spot in the lineup. Meanwhile, Burleson’s steady hitting and last season’s success have earned him a well-deserved starting role to begin the 2025 campaign.