Doubt St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright at your own risk

Doubt St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright at your own risk. After all, just look at what he has done the last two seasons.

Adam Wainwright’s career is a story of perseverance. In almost two decades in the majors, the St. Louis Cardinals right-hander has dealt with injuries that have threatened his career, and has consistently overcome them and somehow found a way to get even better.

Despite that, Wainwright still has doubters whether his recent numbers – 3.15 ERA in 2020; 3.05 ERA in 2021 – are sustainable in what will be his age-41 season. Katie Woo of The Athletic is not one of them, however, as she said on The Just Baseball Show that “If you’re doubting Adam Wainwright at this point, that’s your fault. You should know better.”

I will be honest: I am among the people who have some concern about Wainwright, but most of my concern has been directed toward the entire rotation and its extensive injury history. It’s why the Cardinals are reportedly eyeing another starting pitcher even after signing Steven Matz to a four-year contract. But as Wainwright has proven, if there is any pitcher capable of defying the odds, it’s him. He is like a fine wine; he gets better with age, and his last two seasons have been proof.

It’s what earned Wainwright a one-year, $17.5 million contract extension during the regular season, allowing him and longtime battery mate Yadier Molina to play one final season together in St. Louis. But the deal – and the price tag – confirm that the Cardinals still believe that he can be a top-of-the-rotation starter in what will be his 17th season in the majors.

Truthfully, Wainwright has given the Cardinals every reason to believe he’s capable of repeating his 2020 and 2021 numbers. He kept the rotation afloat last season after it was decimated by injuries and it’s unlikely they advance to the postseason without him. Their vision for 2022, however, has Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt leading the way offensively and the rotation, led by Wainwright, staying healthy and taking the team on a deep postseason run.

Is there reason to be skeptical? Sure. Wainwright is 40 and his injury history is a valid concern. But as Woo said, you should not doubt the right-hander, and the last two seasons should give you confidence that he will perform at a high level with Molina behind the plate.