St. Louis Cardinals: Five bold predictions for the 2020 season

JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 26: A glove and cap on the steps of the St Louis Cardinals dugout during the spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. The Marlins defeated the Cardinals 8-7. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

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JUPITER, FL – FEBRUARY 27: Austin Gomber #36 of the St. Louis Cardinals warms up in the right field bullpen in the second inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2019 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Austin Gomber will be higher on the depth chart than both Adam Wainwright and Dakota Hudson by season’s end

I was going to say “start a playoff game before Wainwright and Hudson” but then thought better of it, I don’t want to curse anything.

That being said, this is the year Austin Gomber breaks out. He looked like a hidden gem in 2018 when he tossed 75 innings for the team in his rookie year. After dealing with injuries for all of last season, he never saw the big leagues. He came into Spring Training as almost an afterthought but has really opened some eyes.

Following the Mikolas injury diagnosis, the fifth spot in the rotation became an open competition. The spot looks like it’s going to come down to Daniel Ponce de Leon, Kwang-Hyun Kim, and Gomber. I think Ponce is going to win the spot out of camp, but just due to natural wear and tear, Gomber will be the next man up to take a few starts if needed.

His huge frame allows his curve to have some serious downward action and devastates hitters. As long as he can keep his walks in check, he should be able to see more success this season.