Why no love for CF Nathan Church

[TXCardsFanX]

Very small samples size, but I his rapid accession in 2025 came on a bit unexpected. He will get a shot soon, if he keeps it up!
He was a mediocre (0.704 OPS) in AA last year.
He went 1 for 16 in ST and was assigned back to AA and got injured. He had a short stint in 1A for rehab, then back to AA.
He had a phenomenal 29 games in AA with a 0.943 OPS and 6 steals.
Got promoted to AAA in early June and has a 0.937 OPS in 44 games.

He's had a great run these past few months, but it's not like he was knocking on the door in March.

I'm hopeful he pans out!

[Absolut]

Need to see what Noot can do first.

I think we know.

That’s the joke. I almost replaced noot with Joe medwick…


When they held on to noot at the deadline a small part of me died.

[rockondlouie]

It comes next year?

^^^THIS^^^

Have to think Bloom is going to give a lot of kids their shot knowing he needs to turnover a lot of this roster.

[An Old Friend]

AB. R. H. HR. RBI. SB. Avg

2025 MiLB Stats 309 60 103 12 46 15 .333 .392 .920
MiLB Career Stats 1341 218 377 24 160 63 .281 .353 .747

Not 100% how good he is defensively but have to give him a shot based on VS lack of offense?

His wasn’t a name that Mozeliak wrote down on a piece of paper before the season started as guys who needed a look.

A reminder - his org is one that moved to opportunities being given and not earned.

[2ninr]

Need to see what Noot can do first.

I think that book is written. Several others right behind him. Church should be given a look

[Absolut]

Need to see what Noot can do first.

I think that book is written. Several others right behind him. Church should be given a look

Twas sarcasm

[hugeCardfan]

Plenty of love for Nathan. I have him projected for CF next year.

[Bomber1]

Need to see what Noot can do first.

So true!

He’s only in his 4th consecutive year as a starter.

Everybody knows it takes 5+ years for Mozeliak to
“see what we have”.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Need to see what Noot can do first.

So true!

He’s only in his 4th consecutive year as a starter.

Everybody knows it takes 5+ years for Mozeliak to
“see what we have”.

Church and Joshua Baez are another two minor league players who have finally shown some improvement with our new player development people. I think the payroll levels will increase over time, but even if they didn't, we are going to get much better mileage out of the players in our system than we are used to. Like, players will actually improve. A novel concept.

[2ninr]

Need to see what Noot can do first.

I think that book is written. Several others right behind him. Church should be given a look

Twas sarcasm

Looks like I'm not the only one to miss it.

[scoutyjones2]

It comes next year? Cards had their pile of prospects/suspects to run thru

Also, when did Church play in MLB?

What does him not yet playing in MLB have to do with anything?

Posted MLB numbers

[sdaltons]

It comes next year? Cards had their pile of prospects/suspects to run thru

Also, when did Church play in MLB?

What does him not yet playing in MLB have to do with anything?

Posted MLB numbers

Maybe get your eyes checked. Then read it again.

[ICCFIM2]

I do not believe we see Church at all this year. He will get a 2026 ST invite. They are going to ride out what they have the rest of the way and not start anyone's service time until they have to. It is obvious 2026 will be a new looking team but not any big splashes contract wise due to the impending lockout. No one knows how much time that may cost players and teams. At the end of the year when Bloom takes over they will decide what happens to guys that got their shot this year, Walker, Gorman, Nootbar, Scott etc. We can analyze all we want and propose but this is a team ran by a banker they do things by the books.

If he is called up after August 15, it does not impact his service time. The Cards still retain a full 6 years of control. So by the books, they can bring him up...

Nootbar always gets hurt and only has two more years of control. He still has value and should be a guy they try and trade / package in a deal to get a young starting pitcher.

Scott showed improvement this year and I am willing to stick with him. Walker I am on the fence at this point whether he gets more runway or not. Gorman has not looked good at 3B. I think he should be traded as well. He also has some value. Plus with Arenado still on the team and Wetherholdt arriving, there is no position for Gorman, even if they do unload Arenado.

[Absolut]

Need to see what Noot can do first.

I think that book is written. Several others right behind him. Church should be given a look

Twas sarcasm

Looks like I'm not the only one to miss it.

Indeed!

[Absolut]

Excited to get a look at noot batting cleanup today. This should answer some questions.

[2ninr]

Excited to get a look at noot batting cleanup today. This should answer some questions.

When he was going better, obp seemed to be his strength. Is cleanup really the place for him?