BrockFloodMaris wrote: ↑14 Jun 2025 06:50 am
Melville wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 23:07 pm
BrockFloodMaris wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 13:02 pm
ClassicO wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 12:46 pm
And his OBP last year was .405.
His college OBP for three years was .467.
I was excited when Donny was brought up because he had great OBPs, but they were 20-30 pts lower - with .386 in minors and .437 in college, and he’s still very high with a career MLB .366.
JJ is the consummate hitter. He has reduced the higher leg kick he had before; he goes opposite field a lot and with power; he has great pitch recognition; and, although his HR power isn’t great, but that will improve although he’s small and has such a level swing, I hope they don't mess with it. He’ll get a lot of doubles and some triples.
I’ve been watching him on MiLB (live and archive) and he is the real thing. I think he’s here next year earlier than later - and they’ll plan accordingly for 2b - which means no more Gorman there and Donny to the OF far more.
His swing is compact, very fast and incredibly level. My complaint early on with Carslon was his soft and upper cut swing.
When you add his very good speed, defense and versatility, there’s not much to see holding him back.
I think you’re right about JJ, O. I’m not sure where he’s going to play, though. Someone has got to step up and play 3B, assuming Arenado is traded by the time JJ gets here. Donnie is not a corner outfielder. Either, he or Gorman or Herrera or JJ has got to play 3B.
Donovan to LF.
Wetherholt to 2B.
Gorman to 3B.
Nootbaar to anywhere other than STL.
The only problem I see with that set up, Mel, is that you end up with three second basemen in the field. I would rather see JJ at 3B, a new LF with MOTO power, BD at 2B, Gorman at DH with WC, Burly and Noot anywhere other than STL.
Gorman is a 3b by trade - and I believe he would be better defensively there than at 2b - and likely better with the bat as a result.
Wetherholt has always projected as a natural 2b - worth noting he has only played SS and 2b in the minors
Donovan is a better LF than Nootbaar is - the latter's defense was never more than adequate and has become worse this season.
If all 3 are parts of the future - and I believe all3 most certainly should be - that looks like the optimal alignment.
The rest is a more difficult knot.
Of course Mootbaar should be traded - despite taking uninterrupted and universal flak, I was first and best to understand that 4 years ago and have consistently advocated that position throughout.
Incredibly stupid for Super Slo Mo to not trade him when he still had comically inflated value.
But what to do with Contreras, Burleson, and Herrera?
Contreras is the team leader, period - and I don't see anyone else ready to take that role (though I will say that he and Donovan are unquestionably both the glue and the engine of the team).
Burleson's LH bat lengthens the lineup - and the bench as well when not starting.
And he is one of those guys who has hot streaks - which is helpful to any team.
Don't buy into Herrera too much just yet - his underlying offensive metrics are actually worse than 2 years ago and no better than last year.
The BA/OBP is real enough, but the power is still unproven, and he has no position.
Under the right set of circumstances, I would trade Herrera (STL should learn from the debacle of not trading Nootbaar and O' Neill and others about whom I was perfectly correct about) or Burleson.
However, I would first try to get some reps for Herrera in LF (again, as I have advised for 3 years) to get an idea of if he could cover limited innings out there (similar to Burleson in that regard).
Bottom line - based on the current members of the organization, this is how I would approach 2026:
Contreras/Herrera/Burleson at 1b/DH, with the latter 2 getting 10 starts in LF as needed.
Wetherholt, Winn, Gorman the planned infield.
Donovan, Scott, and Walker in the outfield - with Church possibly backing up all 3 and pushing Scott in particular.
Saggese the super-utility.
Pages catching - and being chased by Crooks & others from below.
All that said, I would also pursue a true middle order, corner outfield, prime-of-his career, ASG quality RH hitter (which would make one from the group of Burleson/Herrera/Saggese expendable and potentially part of a package to make that happen) - but we both know STL is highly unlikely to do so.
With that comprehensive plan, Wetherholt fits perfectly as a probably long-term 2b solution.
