The St. Louis Cardinals’ trio of potential Black stars has gone two-for-three in 2025.
Shortstop Masyn Winn and centerfielder Victor Scott II have continued to improve during their sophomore seasons. Right fielder Jordan Walker has not proven he can excel in the Majors.
Winn, who overcame an injured wrist and balking back, has played in 85 of the team’s 97 games and posted a .255 batting average with seven home runs, 32 RBIs, and five stolen bases.
The injuries led to early-season errors, which have left him out of the NL’s top 20 defensive shortstops. However, he has been a catalyst for many Redbirds’ rallies and continues to show star potential.
Scott is among the team’s most pleasant surprises. While his batting average has slipped to .235, he has contributed four home runs, 32 RBIs, and a team-leading 24 stolen bases.
He ranks an outstanding sixth in defense among MLB centerfielders with a .995 fielding percentage and several highlight reel catches. If Scott can consistently hit .250, his value will skyrocket.
Walker, who is rehabbing at Double A Springfield after an appendectomy, might not return to the Majors unless he gets his act together.
Playing in just 55 games, Walker hit just .210 with three homes runs and 27 RBIs before his surgery.
Shockingly, Walker struck out 63 times in just 176 at bats. His two-season-long search for power has continued.
The Cardinals could consider throwing Walker into a prospective deal to make a package sweeter. His contract cost is just as low as his statistical profile, so there might be a team willing to take a risk on him.
Halfway home
At the proverbial halfway point of the Major League Baseball season, the St. Louis Cardinals’ brass must determine if the glass is half-full or half-empty.
While the All-Star Game signals a midpoint, the Cardinals have played 96 of their 162 games. While time is not running out on the Redbirds, the clock is ticking, and major decisions loom.
With a 51-46 record, St. Louis finds itself in third place in the National League Central Division, 6 ½ games behind the Chicago Cubs. They trail Milwaukee by 5 ½ and the Cincinnati Reds lurk just a game behind them.
St. Louis is 1 ½ games out of the third NL Wild Card slot behind the San Francisco Giants.
While the postseason is within promising reach, the Cardinals should send a few players packing.
Closer Ryan Helsley has 19 saves, but his 3.27 ERA and five blown saves have his trade value down. Hey Cardinals, trade him now. Do not risk his being a free agent following the season and signing elsewhere. Other than draft compensation, you get nothing.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are among the reportedly interested teams.
If Houston is still interested in Nolan Arenado, I’d try to resurrect that deal. The All-Star third baseman had no interest in the Astros before the season, but the AL West leader is a potential World Series winner. Right now, the Cardinals can’t offer that opportunity.
The L.A. Dodgers are being patient with the injured Max Muncy at third base and reportedly have no interest in taking on the 34-year-old Arenado’s contract. In addition, the perennial Gold Glove candidate has a sprained finger.
St. Louis could deal top starter Sonny Gray if the return is of seismic proportion, which I doubt would happen.
Apologies for being pessimistic. The Cards’ glass is half-empty, and I’d make deals before the franchise hits low tide.
The Reid Roundup
Myles Rowe won his first Indy NXT race last Saturday at Iowa Speedway. Rowe became the first Black driver to win an Indy NXT race as his quest to drive in the Indianapolis 500 continues. Rowe’s best performance before the Iowa win was a second-place podium fishing in the St. Louis Grand Prix…St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Tink Hence’s nightmare season continued this week when he was placed back on the injured list at Double A Springfield because of shoulder inflammation. He has appeared in just eight games and recorded only 21 1/3 innings… Kyson Witherspoon, a right-handed pitcher with Oklahoma, was the first Black player selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. Boston took him with the 15th pick.
St. Louis needs to make some drastic decisions or they will miss post season play. I don’t think they can do that and for those reasons I think the season is over. Attendance will decline some more because fans are about ready to give up on this season.