5 Options to Play Shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals

BOSTON, MA - MAY 04: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels Fenway Park on May 4, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 04: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels Fenway Park on May 4, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 14: Brendan Donovan #33 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats in a run with a double against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning at Busch Stadium on May 14, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 14: Brendan Donovan #33 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats in a run with a double against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning at Busch Stadium on May 14, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Option 4: Brendan Donovan

Since demoting Paul DeJong, rookie Brendan Donovan has received the majority of the starts at shortstop, and has been nothing short of exceptional in this small sample size.

Called up to the major league club on April 28th, Donovan has proven to be not only a legit utility option for the club, but is now making his case to be the everyday shortstop for this Cardinal ballclub. Donovan has slashed .318/.444/.591 thus far, and has been one of the few bright spots in a lineup that seems to be slumping right now. Donovan looks like he belongs both at the plate and in the field, and if his production continues, it will be hard to keep him out of the lineup.

If the Cardinals opt to use Donovan as their primary shortstop, you may seen Nolan Gorman spilt time between DH with Juan Yepez and 2nd base with Tommy Edman once he receives his call up. Edman or Sosa could get playing time at short with Donovan is in need of an off day.

It seems more likely that Donovan has earned himself a spot on the roster as the super utility option for St. Louis, slotting in at almost any position when someone needs an off day and providing an excellent bat off the bench. But don’t be surprised if the Cardinals allow him to run with the shortstop job for the time being.