Robert Cohen / St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman is off to a great start to the season. Amidst all of the Jordan Walker fanfare, Gorman is showing why he was considered the Cardinals number one prospect until Walker arrived.
The left handed slugger drafted as a third baseman, like Walker, had to change positions when Nolan Arenado was acquired in a trade with the Rockies.
He transitioned to second base and is a solid option at the position. Even though he’s only been playing the position for a couple seasons. He earned a spot in the lineup. However he’s been primarily used as a DH due to the emergence of Brendan Donovan.
He smashed 73 homeruns and put up a .270/.339/.496 slash line
Gorman hit well all through the minors. In four seasons in the minors, a total of 350 games, he smashed 73 homeruns and put up a .270/.339/.496 slash line. Undoubtedly, he looked ready for prime time.
Gorman’s rookie season had ups and downs. He occasionally showed off his raw power but chased too many bad pitches and a hole was exposed in his swing by major league pitching. Unsurprisingly it was the high fastball that was his Achilles heel.
When the off-season began he knew he had work to do and he made excellent progress. He made some minor adjustments to his swing, making it easier for him to catch up to the high fastball. Also he worked on his pitch recognition. So far he seems to be laying off the low and away breaking ball much more often.
Should give the NL Central headaches for years to come
The results have been undeniable so far. With the beginning of the 2023 season under way he is hitting .333 with four home runs and has a .421 on base percentage. These are all signs of better pitch recognition and an improved path to the ball with his bat.
Nolan Gorman is reminding all the fans who the number one prospect was before Walker showed up. At only 22 years of age the best is yet to come. The Cardinals have a young core that should give the N.L. central headaches for years to come. And Gorman should be right in the middle of it all.
