7 pleasant surprises for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021

ST LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 12: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 at Busch Stadium on September 12, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 12: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 at Busch Stadium on September 12, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 17: Dylan Carlson #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on September 17, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 17: Dylan Carlson #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on September 17, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) /

Dylan Carlson

Another player who has done everything asked of him and more in 2021 would be Dylan Carlson. He has played left, right and center field, excelling at each position. After the trade of Dexter Fowler to the Los Angeles Angels, Carlson has become the everyday right fielder.

He’s not the flashy fielder you see from Bader and O’Neill, but he makes plays.

Carlson is hitting .259/.338/.420 with a +107 OPS. He has 15 home runs, 29 doubles and three triples. He has 72 runs, 57 RBI and two stolen base. He isn’t mashing like the big guys, yet, but he has been effective. He has hit from wherever he’s placed in the lineup, excelling most recently in the sixth position. On Friday, the switch hitter had a home run from each side of the plate including a grand slam homer.

Next. St. Louis Cardinals: 6 players with something to prove. dark

Remember this is technically Carlson’s rookie season with the Cardinals. When you consider all he’s done this season and remember he’s just 22, Carlson is going to be a treat to watch for years to come.