Rising stars for the St. Louis Cardinals

Playing in only 119 games due to a back injury, Gorman could have easily ended 2023 as the league leader in home runs by a second baseman and is looking to accomplish that in 2024. 

A natural third baseman, Gorman has adapted to his new position and has been more than capable with the glove, ending the year with only five errors after committing eight his rookie season. 

The Cardinals will need Gorman to continue his development as they prepare for a tough battle in the NL Central in 2024.

Jordan Walker, outfielder

2023 MLB stats: .276/.342/.445, 16 home runs, 51 RBI and seven stolen bases in 117 games played

Entering the 2023 season, Cardinals rookie outfielder Jordan Walker was the talk of the league making the team out of spring training as a 20-year-old. 

He started off with a bang, opening the 2023 season with a 12-game hit streak that tied him with Eddie Murphy for the longest hit streak to being a career for players 20 years of age or younger.  

But he had a rough stretch that included a demotion to the minors before making his way back to the MLB. When all was said and done, he ended 2023 with 37 extra-base hits in 117 games played and at times showed why he was one of the top prospects in baseball.

Drafted as an infielder, Walker had to adjust on the fly to playing in the outfield and while he struggled for most of the season, he showed flashes of athleticism that give promise that he will develop into a solid defender.

With a season under his belt, Walker is primed for a breakout season and if the Cardinals want to compete they will need him to provide production behind first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado. 

Masyn Winn, shortstop

2023 MLB stats: .172/.230/.238, two home runs, 12 RBI and two stolen bases in 37 games played

After an outstanding year in Triple-A that saw him slash .288/.359/.474 with 40 extra-base hits, 61 RBI and 17 stolen bases, shortstop Masyn Winn got his call to the majors last in the season.

While he struggled at the plate in his first taste of the big league, he was able to show off both his stellar defense and cannon of an arm. It was a performance befitting one of the best fielding shortstop prospects in recent years, even if his batting left a bit to be desired. 

Coming into 2024 expected to be the everyday shortstop, Winn will be able to work on the things that he was getting exposed by during his debut. Only 21 years old, Winn is another piece of the Cardinals' young core, and fans will be hoping that he can develop into a star sooner rather than later.  

With his rookie status retained for 2024, Winn is one to keep an eye on for the National League Rookie of the Year award and should contend for a Gold Glove for years to come.