Why the St. Louis Cardinals should call up Nolan Gorman

The St. Louis Cardinals should call up Nolan Gorman, who would give some life to an offense in desperate need of a boost.

Let’s make one thing clear: while the St. Louis Cardinals have made it clear that they need results, and soon, from Paul DeJong, they have made it clear that they intend to be patient with the embattled shortstop.

But with DeJong hitting .131/.221/.230 with one home run and a .450 OPS, he’s almost at the point of unplayable. Which is why the Cardinals need to strongly consider pulling the trigger on calling up top infield prospect Nolan Gorman.

At Triple-A, Gorman is slashing .321/.372/.769 with 11 home runs, 16 RBI and a 1.141 OPS. That home run total would lead the majors and provide not only a significant upgrade over DeJong, but provide a boost to a lineup that has really struggled with hitting home runs. That can largely be attributed to a new baseball that has brought league-wide home run numbers and offense as a whole down, but to the Cardinals lineup struggling to begin the season.

Gorman would provide a fresh bat and a spark to a Cardinals lineup that desperately needs one. When he is eventually called up, manager Oli Marmol will have to make a decision with how he deploys his defense, though it’s plausible that he will move Tommy Edman to shortstop and put Gorman at second base, which would leave DeJong as the odd man out.

Which would mean the Cardinals would have to make a decision: keep DeJong on the bench, option him to Triple-A or even designate him for assignment. With Gorman clearly being the answer in the infield, all options would be on the table. One scenario that could make sense: calling up Gorman, keeping DeJong on the roster and waiting to see how Gorman produces in the majors.

If Gorman produces, then strongly consider DFAing DeJong. If Gorman struggles and requires more time in the minors, then DeJong is on the roster and provides veteran depth.

The Cardinals aren’t ready to make that decision quite yet, but it’s become increasingly clear that a decision should be coming relatively soon. DeJong has left them with no other choice.