The St. Louis Cardinals are no longer in the playoff race. Although they’ve won their last two series, they remain 5.5 games behind in the National League Wild Card race and trail the Milwaukee Brewers by 16.5 games in the NL Central. This season has largely focused on developing younger talent rather than competing for a postseason spot, as the team looks ahead as part of its rebuilding process.
Despite being out of contention, several players have made meaningful contributions, making the season valuable in other ways. One standout is Nolan Gorman, who has made the most of his opportunity. With Nolan Arenado sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Gorman has taken over as the starting third baseman.
Recently, Gorman spoke about returning to third base—his original position—and shared what the transition has been like as he plays there more consistently.
“I’ve definitely enjoyed getting back to third base,” Gorman said. “When people used to ask which position I preferred, I usually said second—mainly because I was playing there more. But now that I’m back at third and seeing consistent results, I’ve realized I actually like it more. I think it comes down to confidence—knowing I can defend well there. It’s a fun position, and I think it could be a good long-term fit for me.”
Since resuming his role at third base full-time, Gorman has performed well. While he’s not at the defensive level of Nolan Arenado, he’s shown clear improvement with the glove, and his offense is beginning to show promise, too.
This season, the 25-year-old is batting .220/.317/.409 with 14 home runs, 44 RBIs, and a .726 OPS. He brings valuable left-handed power to the lineup and has even spent some time at first base. The Cardinals have struggled to produce homegrown power hitters in recent years, but Gorman might finally be filling that void.
His recent upswing could earn him a more permanent spot in the team’s 2026 plans. With a surplus of left-handed hitters on the roster—some of whom could be dealt in the offseason—Gorman’s resurgence is helping open new doors.
It’ll be worth watching to see if he can maintain his momentum and carry it into the 2026 season.
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