The Cardinals' defense is proving to be a catalyst for their hot start to the season, a stark contrast to the modern emphasis on offensive production. While the "defense wins championships" mantra has fallen out of favor, the Cardinals are sticking to it, and it's paying off.
The loss of Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, and Willson Contreras hasn't slowed them down. Instead, they've found new stars in the defensive lineup. Masyn Winn, a reigning Gold Glove shortstop, is already making a strong case for being one of the best defenders in baseball. His OAA (Outs Above Average) ranking is a testament to his defensive prowess, and he's currently sixth in the league. Winn's ability to turn double plays and make highlight-reel catches is a sight to behold.
JJ Wetherholt, a rookie who stole headlines with his bat, is now making his mark on the field. His move from shortstop to second base hasn't slowed him down; in fact, he leads all players in OAA with five. Wetherholt's highlight-reel plays, including his trademark sky-high catches, are a testament to his defensive skills. Even Nolan Gorman, filling in for Arenado, is having a strong start, tied for second among third basemen in OAA.
The Cardinals' pitching staff, which relies heavily on ground-ball outs, is benefiting from this airtight defense. Their ground-ball rate is the third-highest in baseball, and the defense is making high-level plays to keep pitchers out of trouble. The outfield defense, led by Victor Scott II and Jordan Walker, is a run-prevention machine, and the catching tandem of Pedro Pages and Iván Herrera, if they can regain their framing and blocking prowess, could be a force to be reckoned with.
The Cardinals' emphasis on acquiring and developing swing-and-miss pitchers is paying off, but it's the defense that's currently maximizing the value of their pitching staff. With the right approach, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the standings as the season progresses.
