Why Nolan Gorman is a (not so) secret weapon for the Cards this year

Move over a little, Jordan Walker.

The bad news is Nolan Gorman can’t pitch. If only the young St. Louis Cardinals slugger could hurl a couple innings for the local nine. He’d be indispensable. As it stands, Gorman is still a potential wrecking ball for the Cards this season.

After impressing with 14 home runs in a partial season last year, Gorman has wasted no time making a dent with the team in this new campaign. I’m talking about the kind of dent that wins two games in a row to rescue the team from a potentially embarrassing start this week. Following a late home run against Colorado that meant the difference on Tuesday, Gorman broke more hearts on Wednesday afternoon in the series finale.

St. Louis may have tried to fumble a series against a not-so-good team, but Gorman wasn’t having any of it. Tuesday’s homer was a pinch hit blast that left Coors Field in less than 3 seconds. Most of his long balls are majestic no doubters.

But the plate discipline has also improved since 2022. The strikeouts are still there (9 in 35 at bats), but the rate is down to 25% and he drew his eighth walk Thursday evening. If Gorman’s eye remains steady and he continues to mash, we’re talking about a weapon that used to be secret but slowly is becoming a vital asset.

He’s not just the guy with a minor league bat and some scattered infield experience anymore. Gorman has started games at second base and a game at third, as well as the DH slot. There’s versatility in where the team has put him, especially if the lumber keeps producing game-changing bombs.

Even when he doesn’t make contact, the action is there. No one on the team swings at a baseball harder than Gorman. Thursday night’s shutout loss could have used more Nolan magic, but the pair on the Cards weren’t successful. Still, there’s something to like in seeing the kid unload on a pitch. As Joaquin Phoenix once said in a movie, it hurts Gorman not to swing.

Give him time to settle in. He’s not a guy who has to start a game in order to make an impact; also not only a designated hitter. Gorman can help the Cardinals in more ways than one, even if it’s just a single swing late in a game. The thrill may die eventually or the body may run into injury, but for now let’s appreciate the robust nature of his play. Jordan Walker isn’t the only young phenom on this team.

It’s too bad the big hitters can’t find a way to pitch as well. For the time being, Gorman is finding steady waters after an exciting yet raw 2022 entrance.

Whether or not he will be able to help the offense rescue an enigmatic and short handed pitching roster remains to be seen. In a season of many “ifs,” Nolan Gorman has the potential to be something special.

Quick reminder that he turns just 23 years of age in less than a month.

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry/USA Today Sports