Adam Wainwright
2022 Projection: Record: 13-8, ERA: 3.63, Innings: 181, SO: 154, BB: 55, WHIP: 1.21
Verdict: Buy
After an incredible age 39 season where Adam Wainwright went 17-7 with an ERA of 3.05 over 206 innings, some regression should be expected. Fortunately for the Cardinals, even these projected regressions still bode extremely well for a starting pitcher on the cusp of 40 years old.
Wainwright, when healthy, has always been an innings eater, which will be huge for a club that desperately needs stability. Wainwright will be the club’s opening day starter, and there is reason to believe that is probable last season will be another good one.
Jack Flaherty
2022 Projection: Record: 9-5, ERA: 3.58, Innings: 108, SO: 119, BB: 36, WHIP: 1.12
Verdict: Buy
After already projecting to start the season on the IL, Jack Flaherty will need to remain healthy when he returns to hit his innings projection, but there is reason to believe he can put up those kinds of numbers in 2022.
Flaherty, when healthy, has some of the best stuff in all of baseball. It wasn’t long ago that Flaherty had one of the greatest second halves in MLB history, and both the Cardinals and their fans should be rooting for a resurgence. If he can return and pitch to the ability that Baseball Reference projects, that gives St. Louis a solid 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation.