St. Louis Cardinals: Creating a 2021 All Ex-Cardinals Team

The St. Louis Cardinals have all-around one of the best squads in the National League, but there are plenty of other good ex-Cardinals out there.

Looking at a roster of former St. Louis Cardinals players, it will include players who played for the Cardinals and for Cardinals’ affiliates.  These are a group of players that are enjoying much success outside of St. Louis and some even having their best seasons to date.

While it may be painful to read this as some of them were given away for basically nothing, while others were traded for key pieces to help the current St. Louis Cardinals enjoy the success we have been having this year.

Now, let’s take a look at what former Cardinals could be featured in a 2021 All Ex-Cardinals Team.

Infielders

Catcher:  Carson Kelly

Carson Kelly has enjoyed a breakout season thus far with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has really come into his own as one of the best hitting catchers in all of baseball.  Kelly ranks 2nd amongst all catchers in 2021 (min 100 PA)  in total offensive production with a 150 wRC+.

Carson Kelly has been a complete threat at the plate and has shown he is also no slouch defensively either.  The converted third baseman has put of 2 DRS and that puts him tied for 10th at the catcher position.

While yes, Cardinals’ fans love the future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina and we would not trade him for anything due to what he brings to the clubhouse and the immeasurable assets to the pitching staff, Kelly has actually been a more productive player thus far.

Reason for departure:  Traded to Arizona for Paul Goldschmidt

Carson Kelly 2021:  .287/.426/.491, 150 wRC+,  +2 DRS

First Base:  Luke Voit

St. Louis native Luke Voit was a fan favorite when brought up through the Cardinals system as everyone knew that a homegrown, hometown, home-run hitter was coming up to provide a spark in the big leagues.

Luke Voit never really came into his own as an elite hitter until he was shipped off to the Bronx and has since been one of the best hitters in all of baseball.  In the pandemic-shortened season of 2020, Voit took home the home-run crown with 22 long-balls.  Of all the deals the Cardinals made to rid of the players on the list, this has to be one of the most win-win trades in recent memory for the hometown team.

Voit has been dealing with an oblique injury that has kept him out most of the 2021 campaign, but he is sure to be a force for that lineup and is a great candidate to protect Judge and Stanton in that Yankees lineup.

Reason for departure:  Traded to New York (AL) for Giovanny Gallegos

Luke Voit 2021:  .182/.280/.250,  58 wRC+,  (50 PA)

Second Base:  Kolten Wong

This man is sorely missed in the organization and played a part of so many great Cardinals teams.  Wong endured many ups and downs as a big leaguer and always left everything he had on the field.  Now with the Milwaukee Brewers, Wong is enjoying his best offensive season to date.  With a wRC+ of 115 so far this year, that surpasses his previous career-high of 108 in 2019.  It sure stings a bit knowing that he is doing this for a division rival, but we all wish him the best.

Reason for departure:  Signed with Milwaukee for 2 years/18 million

Kolten Wong 2021:  .280/.343/.441,  115 wRC+,  +6 DRS

Third Base:  Patrick Wisdom

Wisdom has really come into his own with the Chicago Cubs this year.  With only 25 plate appearances so far, Wisdom has made quite the impression amongst the Cubbie fans.  He has hit 4 homers so far while manning the hot corner and playing a little bit of right field.

The Cardinals may take the upper hand here due to us having one of the best third basemen in the league, but still Wisdom has proven that he is no slouch at the plate and has proven to be an unlikely spark for Chicago so far this year.

Reason for departure:  Traded to the Texas Rangers for Drew Robinson 

Patrick Wisdom 2021:  .417/.440/.958,  274 wRC+,  (25 PA)

Shortstop:  Aledmys Diaz/Brad Miller Platoon

Aledmys Diaz is an interesting player nowadays, he has taken on the role of being the super-utility guy for the high-powered offense of the Houston Astros and has seemingly done very well in this role.  He has logged at least 22 innings at all four infield positions and has even spent quite a bit of time in left field and has even manned right field so far this season.

Reason for departure:  Traded to Toronto for J.B.  Woodman

For when there is a righty on the mound, Brad Miller has also taken on a very similar role with the Philadelphia Phillies.  It seems with Miller and Diaz that wherever you have a hole in the field, these guys step up and will take on any position that they are asked to play.  While he hasn’t played shortstop yet this season, we all know that he is capable of manning the position as he has logged over 3,000 innings at shortstop over his career.

Reason for Departure:  Signed with Philadelphia for 1 year/3.5 million

Aledmys Diaz 2021:  .269/.331/.407,  109 wRC+

Brad Miller 2021:  .282/.342/.264,  120 wRC+