Wow, the Corners are a Problem: Gorman, Burly, Who's in LF, Walker in RF--How does Pitching Staff Overcome?

[scoutyjones2]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

Perhaps on his last leg is a bit melodramatic for a 23 year old.

With the Cards and no more options...I think it's appropriate

[scoutyjones2]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

Your pessimism may become reality. OR, Burly, Gorman, Walker and Noot become at least league-average, which is just as feasible as your gray cloud prediction. I do agree with your skepticism around Herrera. He has no business being a starting catcher on an MLB team.

Gorman will be an average 3B if he can overcome the throwing issues he had last season. Not too concerned about the other 3 corners but Herrera at catcher may be a concern.

And the fielding issues and the hitting issues and his back issues...

[Talkin' Baseball]

This is a wild overstatement. Burleson will be fine at 1B. He just needs to make the routine play and dig the majority of the easier throws in the dirt. Noot will eventually be in LF. He's a good corner defender. Walker has gotten better and is about average with a continued expectation to improve. Gorman is not good at 3B. Herrera remains to be seen. SS, 2B, and CF are good. Also, it is unlikely that both Herrera catches and Gorman plays 3B long-term this season. It may start out that way, but one of them likely becomes the DH.

The Cardinals have far bigger concerns than their overall defense.

Agree with this, and I am not an alarmist, but it is important to acknowledge that Walker and Herrera have not been good defensively. With Herrera, we have already seen glaring deficiencies in his defense- I guess what remains to be seen is if he can improve. As for Walker, there is no metric that suggests he is about average defensively, and the eye-test bears that out. Rooting for both of them. The early returns are poor.

[shebashab]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

Perhaps on his last leg is a bit melodramatic for a 23 year old.

Not here

What's the definition of insanity?

Doing the same thing over & over again (running J. Walker out to RF) and expecting a different result.

Age has nothing to do with it, while a 2024-2025 slash line of .211 .270 .324 .595 does.

What does insanity have to do with developing ballplayers? We finally have an organization that is dedicated to turning raw skills into ML ready talent. As long as there is progress, we work with them until there isn't. If Walker responds to the coaching, he isn't on anybody's last leg...not yet. Look at the progress made with Baez. He's 22 and until last year there was no suggestion that he had a ML career in his future. We work with players until it's no longer viable. That's not, IMO, Walker yet.

MLB is NOT the place to develop players.

Walker has been a huge bust since year two.

He (and Gorman) are on their last leg here.

I realize this is an "If I was pulling the strings" statement but... Their last leg isn't going to be decided by you or me. If they improve they will stay it's simple. It's a rebuild, we aren't actually looking to be good this year. Sad but true Starters are a problem, relievers are a problem... many problems to go around

[clemonsonroots]

yeah, you won't. This year was not supposed to be pretty, but hopefully we will be able to identify what we need moving forward.

[rockondlouie]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

Perhaps on his last leg is a bit melodramatic for a 23 year old.

Not here

What's the definition of insanity?

Doing the same thing over & over again (running J. Walker out to RF) and expecting a different result.

Age has nothing to do with it, while a 2024-2025 slash line of .211 .270 .324 .595 does.

What does insanity have to do with developing ballplayers? We finally have an organization that is dedicated to turning raw skills into ML ready talent. As long as there is progress, we work with them until there isn't. If Walker responds to the coaching, he isn't on anybody's last leg...not yet. Look at the progress made with Baez. He's 22 and until last year there was no suggestion that he had a ML career in his future. We work with players until it's no longer viable. That's not, IMO, Walker yet.

MLB is NOT the place to develop players.

Walker has been a huge bust since year two.

He (and Gorman) are on their last leg here.

I realize this is an "If I was pulling the strings" statement but... Their last leg isn't going to be decided by you or me. If they improve they will stay it's simple. It's a rebuild, we aren't actually looking to be good this year. Sad but true Starters are a problem, relievers are a problem... many problems to go around

Of course they stay if they have good season, that what we all want to see.

BUT

If they or one of them puts up numbers like they have the last two seasons, then I'd bet they're "on their last leg" here.

[woofy25]

This is a wild overstatement. Burleson will be fine at 1B. He just needs to make the routine play and dig the majority of the easier throws in the dirt. Noot will eventually be in LF. He's a good corner defender. Walker has gotten better and is about average with a continued expectation to improve. Gorman is not good at 3B. Herrera remains to be seen. SS, 2B, and CF are good. Also, it is unlikely that both Herrera catches and Gorman plays 3B long-term this season. It may start out that way, but one of them likely becomes the DH.

The Cardinals have far bigger concerns than their overall defense.

Agree with this, and I am not an alarmist, but it is important to acknowledge that Walker and Herrera have not been good defensively. With Herrera, we have already seen glaring deficiencies in his defense- I guess what remains to be seen is if he can improve. As for Walker, there is no metric that suggests he is about average defensively, and the eye-test bears that out. Rooting for both of them. The early returns are poor.

There are metrics showing average or better and most show continuous improvement. His OAA in 2025 was a +1 and his arm strength is in the 95th percentile. Nearly all other metrics showing below average numbers are improving.

[Talkin' Baseball]

This is a wild overstatement. Burleson will be fine at 1B. He just needs to make the routine play and dig the majority of the easier throws in the dirt. Noot will eventually be in LF. He's a good corner defender. Walker has gotten better and is about average with a continued expectation to improve. Gorman is not good at 3B. Herrera remains to be seen. SS, 2B, and CF are good. Also, it is unlikely that both Herrera catches and Gorman plays 3B long-term this season. It may start out that way, but one of them likely becomes the DH.

The Cardinals have far bigger concerns than their overall defense.

Agree with this, and I am not an alarmist, but it is important to acknowledge that Walker and Herrera have not been good defensively. With Herrera, we have already seen glaring deficiencies in his defense- I guess what remains to be seen is if he can improve. As for Walker, there is no metric that suggests he is about average defensively, and the eye-test bears that out. Rooting for both of them. The early returns are poor.

There are metrics showing average or better and most show continuous improvement. His OAA in 2025 was a +1 and his arm strength is in the 95th percentile. Nearly all other metrics showing below average numbers are improving.

That would be welcome news. I want him to be great.

[ramfandan]

With Noot on the shelf, Herrera was out in LF (wearing his 1st base mitt) taking reps there. Guess one shouldn't read a lot into that but Oli and the other coaches must be thinking that Herrera's bat should play there at least to start the season.
Anyone else think the season will begin with Herrera in LF spot ?

[Talkin' Baseball]

With Noot on the shelf, Herrera was out in LF (wearing his 1st base mitt) taking reps there. Guess one shouldn't read a lot into that but Oli and the other coaches must be thinking that Herrera's bat should play there at least to start the season.
Anyone else think the season will begin with Herrera in LF spot ?

Do you suppose wearing a first baseman's mitt was a silent protest?

[Melville]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

[JuanAgosto]

Burly will be a solid to good 1b. Hopefully Gorman will be average. Noot will be a good defensive LF. Walker? I dont have much faith in his defense.

[JuanAgosto]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

One of Mos worst areas of his job was roster construction. He was mailing it in for years. Thanks Mo!

John Mozeliak was a putz.

[Bully4you]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

No. Not this drastic. Walker isn’t lousy in right and must get better. He’s serviceable, while left is a black hole. Church could handle it but again a weaker corner bat.

Gorman is a no go.

However- if you put JJ on third, then you might develop the best infield in baseball.

[Bully4you]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

Beginning of the 2022 season:
1. Pujols is done and just a tourist attraction.
2. The outfield, TO HB and DC, is set and will be here for years.
3. Gorman was the BIG prospect and Brendan Donovan was a nobody.


Just because Nolan Gorman is playing 3B the first day of ST means [shirt].

So, who will play third then and will they even be any better?
We have terrible defenders across the board.
JJ will be 2nd base.
We have 4 players that shouldn't ever be on the field playing defense.
Saggese, Gorman, Herrera and Walker.
Not sold on Burly either.
None are great.
Catcher is debatable too.
Pages is okay, but just okay.
Thankfully, we have nice D at the two toughest positions.