Buy or Sell: 2022 Projections for St. Louis Cardinals Lineup

Tyler O'Neill #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on September 18, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
Tyler O'Neill #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on September 18, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 15: Tommy Edman #19 of the St. Louis Cardinals in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 15, 2021 in New York City. The Cardinals defeated the Mets 11-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 15: Tommy Edman #19 of the St. Louis Cardinals in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 15, 2021 in New York City. The Cardinals defeated the Mets 11-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

1B Tommy Edman

2022 Projection: BA: .266, OBP: .321, SLG: .406, OPS: .727, R: 82, H: 148, 2B: 31, 3B: 4, HR: 13, RBI: 58, SB: 20, CS: 4, BB: 38, SO: 103

Verdict: Buy

After breaking onto the scene with an incredible rookie year, Tommy Edman has come back down to earth a little bit over the last two seasons. His 2022 projects have him building off his 2021 season, including a 20 point increase in his OBP, which teams right for a guy who will be entering his fourth big league season.

1B Paul Goldschmidt

2022 Projection: BA: .271, OBP: .351, SLG: .464, OPS: .815, R: 83, H: 143, 2B: 28, 3B: 1, HR: 24, RBI: 78, SB: 7, CS: 1, BB: 64, SO: 132

Verdict: Sell

Baseball Reference seems to be projecting some regression for Paul Goldschmidt, but aside from another year of age, there seems to be no signs of him slowing down.

Since 2017, Goldschmidt has his over 30 HRs a year (outside of the pandemic shortened season), and has had only one full season in his career with an average below .286. In 2021, Goldschmidt finished with .294 average, 36 2Bs, 31 HRs, and 99 RBIs, all which are significantly higher than current projections. Could this be the year age catches up with him? Sure. But that seems to be more speculation than informed projection, so I am selling a lot of this take. Expect Goldschmidt to have another great year.

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