St. Louis Cardinals: 6 players with something to prove

Alex Reyes

If any player has something to prove, it is Alex Reyes.

After starting the season under strict conditions with an innings cap and an impression that he would be used sparingly in hopes to have him ready for a significant role next season, it was great to see what Reyes actually did.

With an injury to Jordan Hicks, Reyes slid into that closing role and shined. He earned an All-Star Game appearance. He was riding high and etching himself a significant role with the team. And then he hit an apparent wall.

He’s played in 62 games with 64 innings pitched. He is 7-8 with 29 saves for the Cardinals. He’s struck out 81 batters. He’s given up 40 hits and 21 earned runs, including seven home runs.  He has 44 walks and 10 wild pitches. He also has a balk on the season. He does have an average 28.8 CSW%.

But, he also has five very ugly blown saves including a two-week streak of giving up walk-off grand slams to opponents.

During this streak, his body language has not been good. He appears defeated as he’s lost his closer role and is trying to find his place on this team again. Shildt and Maddux do not appear willing to let him take any time off. They are instead opting to get him back on the mound again.

And maybe that’s what he needs.

He will enter his second arbitration-eligible offseason. He will undoubtedly be given a plan this offseason unlike any he’s had before. He’s spent many recent offseason’s healing from injuries. He’s not injured, but will be trying to figure out his role with this team. He could be asked to consult with a sports psychologist or even Rick Ankiel, who similarly was a promising pitcher that hit some adversity, to work through his recent struggles.

There had been a discussion of stretching him out to be a starter. After the past few weeks, it seems a ridiculous thought. It will be interesting to see what exactly he does, though.

How Reyes handles this adversity will be huge in how the team uses him in the future. He should spend the next few weeks helping the team see they can count on him no matter the role he slides into in the future.

Reyes’s promise makes it worth the risk.