Five St. Louis Cardinals Players Who Must Prove Themselves or Risk Being Left Behind
As the St. Louis Cardinals pivot towards a new phase of development, focused on nurturing their young core, several players face critical years ahead. The team is not expected to make significant moves in the offseason to contend immediately; rather, the focus is on the next generation. With the era of Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado winding down, the Cardinals are shifting their attention to the future. This period of reset offers a key opportunity for players to prove their worth—or risk being moved on from the team.
Here are five players who need to show they belong in the Cardinals’ long-term plans in 2025:After a promising 2023, where he posted a 116 OPS+ with 27 home runs and a 2.4 WAR as a 23-year-old second baseman, Nolan Gorman appeared poised for a breakout. However, his 2024 season was a significant step back. With an 85 OPS+, just 19 homers, 0.3 WAR, and a staggering 151 strikeouts, Gorman’s struggles at the plate were hard to ignore. His 37.6% strikeout rate, combined with his regression, led to a demotion to Triple-A. With players like JJ Weatherholt and Thomas Saggese pushing through the ranks, plus Brendan Donovan already filling in at second base,
Gorman’s spot is no longer secure. If he wants to remain part of the Cardinals’ future, a strong 2025 season is essential. Like Gorman, Walker is also in a critical position after failing to meet expectations in 2024. Demoted twice due to his lack of offensive consistency, Walker continues to struggle with lifting the ball for power. His defense, particularly in the outfield, remains a liability, and without a strong bat, his value to the team is questionable. There is a potential opening at third base if Nolan Arenado is traded, but until Walker can find his swing, his place on the roster is uncertain. He’ll need a breakout year to convince the Cardinals he has a future with the team.
The clock is ticking for Liberatore, who has had multiple opportunities to solidify his role as a starting pitcher but has repeatedly failed to perform. While he’s been effective in relief, the Cardinals need to decide if he’s better suited for a long-relief role or if he can still be a dependable starter. With an influx of talented pitching prospects like Tink Hence, Quinn Matthews, Tekoah Roby, and Michael McGreevy, Liberatore’s future with the rotation is in serious doubt. The upcoming season will be a make-or-break year for him to either claim a starting role or shift his career path.
Lars Nootbaar has earned a fan-favorite status thanks to his energy and clubhouse presence, but his production on the field has stagnated. While his 2023 stats (12 home runs, 1.4 WAR, and an OPS+ of 111) are decent, Nootbaar has failed to elevate his game consistently. His career averages are almost identical each season, and his inability to stay healthy further complicates matters. Nootbaar is no longer a young player on the rise—he’s reached his ceiling. Unless he can significantly improve in 2025, the Cardinals will likely look for other options in the outfield.
While not mentioned in the original article, Tyler O’Neill’s situation mirrors those of Gorman and Walker, with the added complication of frequent injuries. O’Neill was once viewed as a potential cornerstone of the outfield, but his inability to stay on the field and lack of sustained production has put his future in question. The Cardinals need consistent contributors, and unless O’Neill can stay healthy and reclaim his 2021 form, his time in St. Louis could be running out.
As the Cardinals enter this new phase, the team will look to make difficult decisions about which players truly fit into their vision for the future. 2025 will be a critical year for these five players, with their chances to prove they are part of the organization’s next winning team.
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