St. Louis Cardinals Superlatives for the 2022 Season

May 23, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam against the Toronto Blue Jays during the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam against the Toronto Blue Jays during the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
St. Louis Cardinals Brendan Donovan
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 17: Brendan Donovan #33 of the St. Louis Cardinals scores on Paul Goldschmidt #46 RBI double in fourth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 17, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Biggest Overachiever: Brendan Donovan

After fighting for a roster spot in Spring Training and beginning the year in AAA, Brendan Donovan has made the most of every opportunity he has had since being called up to St. Louis, and has likely earned a spot on the roster for the rest of the season.

When first called up, the move went under the radar as fans were more focused on the impending demotion of DeJong and need to call-up red hot Gorman, but Donovan’s addition to the roster has been one of the most impactful in 2022.

The 25 year old rookie has an .837 OPS from the left side this season, and has been the utility figure needed to plug into the lineup wherever and whenever he is needed. Donovan’s ability to put together great at bats, get timely hits, hit for some power, and play all over the field has gave him a bit of a following already, and he looks to be that scrapy piece that every contender needs to go far in their playoff hopes.

Fighting with the likes of Gorman, DeJong, Sosa, Nootbaar, and Dickerson for playing time, Donovan has been far and away the biggest overachiever based on the expectations placed on him. Donovan is no longer just a name that cannot be taken off the roster, he also makes manager Oli Marmol have to think twice about not having him in the starting lineup.