The Cardinals' Crossroads: Who Stays and Who Fades?
The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in a peculiar position this season. While they’re still mathematically alive in the NL Wild Card race, the real drama isn’t about this year—it’s about the future. The organization is clearly in transition, building a foundation for what they hope will be the next great Cardinals team. But here’s the catch: not everyone currently wearing the Birds on the Bat will be part of that future.
Personally, I think this is where things get fascinating. The last six weeks of the season aren’t just about wins and losses; they’re about individual players proving they belong in the Cardinals’ long-term plans. It’s a high-stakes audition, and some players are under more pressure than others. Let’s dive into the stories of five Cardinals who are at a crossroads—and what their performances could mean for the franchise.
The Pitching Puzzle: Liberatore’s Last Stand?
Matthew Liberatore’s journey is one of the most perplexing stories in baseball right now. Once the Opening Day starter, Liberatore has struggled to live up to the hype. His 5.15 ERA this season is a far cry from what the Cardinals envisioned when they traded Randy Arozarena for him in 2020. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between his potential and his performance. Just look at his start in Toronto earlier this month—a gem that hinted at his ceiling—followed by a disastrous outing against the Rockies.
From my perspective, the Cardinals are walking a tightrope with Liberatore. They’ve invested too much in him to give up now, but the clock is ticking. Quinn Mathews, the organization’s No. 8 prospect, is knocking on the door, and other young arms like Liam Doyle and Jurrangelo Cijntje aren’t far behind. If Liberatore can’t turn things around in the next six weeks, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s moved to the bullpen—or worse.
What many people don’t realize is that Liberatore’s struggles aren’t just about mechanics or stuff; they’re also about mindset. The pressure to justify the Arozarena trade has clearly weighed on him. If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just a story about a pitcher’s performance—it’s a story about expectations, investment, and the brutal reality of prospect development.
Catching Up: Crooks’ Race Against Time
Jimmy Crooks was supposed to be the next big thing in the Cardinals’ catching pipeline. After mashing 13 homers with a .979 OPS in Triple-A, his call-up felt inevitable. But the majors haven’t been kind to him. His .167 average in June and .176 in July were alarming, even if the underlying metrics suggested better days ahead.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Crooks isn’t just fighting for his own future—he’s fighting off competition. Leo Bernal, the organization’s No. 6 prospect, is tearing it up in Memphis and is beloved for his defense. Rainel Rodriguez, MLB Pipeline’s No. 12 overall prospect, is also looming in the background. Crooks needs to show he can be more than just a power hitter; he needs to prove he can handle big-league pitching consistently.
In my opinion, Crooks’ situation highlights a broader trend in baseball: the accelerated timeline for prospects. Teams aren’t waiting years for players to develop anymore. If Crooks doesn’t turn it around soon, Bernal could be the starting catcher in St. Louis by next season. This raises a deeper question: How much patience should organizations have with struggling prospects?
Gorman’s Last Chance at Redemption
Nolan Gorman’s story is a cautionary tale about the volatility of prospect development. After a 27-homer breakout in 2023, he’s been in freefall. His .194 average and baffling approach at the plate led to a demotion to Triple-A in June. The Cardinals sent him to Jupiter, Florida, to rework his swing—a move that’s worked for players like Jordan Walker in the past.
What’s intriguing here is Gorman’s recent resurgence in Memphis. Since July 21, he’s hit eighteightightight eighteighteight eighteighteighteighteight eight eight eight eight eightHas
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