The St. Louis Cardinals are entering the final stretch of the 2026 regular season with their postseason hopes fading, but the remaining games could provide an important opportunity for several players to prove they deserve a role on next year’s roster.
With a 68-70 record and just 24 games remaining, St. Louis sits two games below .500 and is in danger of missing the postseason. Although Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom likely anticipated a difficult rebuilding season, the club has remained competitive enough to keep the door to the Wild Card race open. If the Cardinals ultimately fail to qualify, however, the final month could take on a different purpose: evaluating which players should remain part of the organization’s plans moving forward.
One of the players facing an especially important audition is infielder Nolan Gorman.
Gorman has shown flashes of the power that once made him one of the Cardinals’ most intriguing young hitters, but his inconsistency at the plate has become a major concern. FanSided’s John Perrotto recently suggested that the final month could give Gorman an opportunity to prove that he still belongs in St. Louis’ long-term plans.
“Gorman has been good at times during his five seasons in the big leagues but really bad at other times,” Perrotto wrote.
The 25-year-old has already demonstrated that he can provide legitimate power at the Major League level. In 2023, Gorman blasted a career-best 27 home runs at just 23 years old, establishing himself as a potentially dangerous middle-of-the-order bat. However, his tendency to strike out and struggle with consistent contact has continued to limit his overall offensive production.
Those problems have been particularly noticeable this season. Gorman has struck out in 32% of his plate appearances, making it difficult for him to maintain offensive consistency. His struggles became serious enough that the Cardinals optioned him to Triple-A Memphis in June, although he has since returned to the Major League roster.
Gorman is currently serving as the Cardinals’ primary third baseman, but his numbers leave plenty of questions about his future. He has produced just eight home runs, a .187 batting average and a .590 OPS this season.
That makes the final month of the season extremely important for him. A strong September could change the conversation, allowing Gorman to demonstrate that his poor numbers are more of a temporary setback than a sign of permanent decline. If he can cut down on strikeouts, make more consistent contact and rediscover some of the power that made him valuable in 2023, he could strengthen his case to remain with the Cardinals in 2027.
On the other hand, continued struggles could force St. Louis to reconsider his role as the organization evaluates its roster during the offseason.
With the Cardinals’ playoff chances slipping, Gorman’s remaining games may therefore be about more than simply finishing the season. They could represent his opportunity to save his roster spot and convince the Cardinals that he remains an important piece of their future.
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