5 standout performers from St. Louis Cardinals first half

It’s not the dominant first-half fans hoped for, but the St. Louis Cardinals have battled and are in contention in the NL Central.

With the second half of the 2022 season getting underway, it’s important to take a look back and reflect on the good that the St. Louis Cardinals have done so far.

Under the direction of a new manager who was developed in the St. Louis Cardinals system, the team is a perfect mix of veteran leadership, a new guard, and a promising group of youngsters. But, the team is in the midst of another season where the health of key players has become a hindrance.

For a second consecutive season, the team has been brought to its knees after the club’s ace apparent, Jack Flaherty, has been shelved. This time due to shoulder issues. After being placed on the  60-day injured list, it became clear that even if back to full health, Flaherty won’t be able to return to the roster until mid-August.

Gold Glove center fielder Harrison Bader has been on the injured list for several weeks. While his defense and speed are missed, Dylan Carlson has stepped up to provide stellar defense and has improved at the plate.

Yadier Molina, who plans to retire at the end of the season, arrived to spring training late and slowly became ready. As time went along, Molina developed some knee soreness that has kept him on the injured list. Molina’s absence has definitely been felt as the club has struggled to find a sense of stability from the catching position via Andrew Knizner, Austin Romine, and prospect Ivan Herrera.

The team welcomed two of their top prospects in Nolan Gorman and Matthew Liberatore. With Tommy Edman moving from second base to shortstop in place of Paul DeJong, who was being demoted after a terrible start to his season, this gave Gorman the opportunity he needed to get everyday play. While he’s been streaky at the plate, Gorman has provided very good defense.

Now let’s take a look at the accomplishments of some of this team’s top performers during the first half.

Oli Marmol

When Mike Shildt was fired due to “philosophical difference,” many wondered why Marmol would be hired in his place as the two seemed to be in lockstep. But, Marmol has shown that he is his own man with his own managerial philosophy that takes analytics into consideration with the all important eye test.

While there have been some questionable decisions, he’s playing well with the cards he’s been dealt, so to speak.

One thing is obvious though, the team respects Marmol. They listen to him. As evidenced by the fluctuation in job duties by Tommy Edman, Dylan Carlson and Jordan Hicks, the team is willing to do whatever Marmol asks of them in order to help the team.

That’s what you want in your manager. You want someone you trust and you believe will have your back. The team knows Marmol is there for them. They know he has there back.

It’s also good to see that the coaching staff also seems to love Marmol as their boss. Skip Schumaker, Mike Maddux and the oft-criticized Jeff Albert, all look like they enjoy working with Marmol and know they are being heard.

The next few weeks will be important for Marmol to have a successful first season. It will be fun to see how he leads this team in the second half and how far this team, with this roster and any improvements added, can go into the fall.

Nolan Arenado

Somedays it’s fun to remember that Nolan Arenado is a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

There have been several of those days this season. Even on his seemingly off days, he’ll still make a remarkable play at the hot corner. He’ll get a hit that moves his teammates around the base path. He’ll knock a majestic home run to give the Cardinals the lead.

Arenado does whatever it takes to put the Cardinals in the best position to win.

Arenado learned new skills in the off season to improve his flexiblity. He wanted to do what he could to improve his hitting. He wanted to get himself monitored to create a better posture for hitting and getting on base.  Nothing is ever enough for the Platinum and Gold Glove winning athlete.

During his first half, he is hitting .293/.359/.526 with an OPS of .885. He has 21 doubles, one triple, 18 home runs, 41 runs scored and 59 RBI. He has a +149 wRC. So far, Arenado has 15 defensive runs save.

Impressive. He’s fun to watch. And it is so good he’s a Cardinal.

 Albert Pujols

Every day of the first half of the 2022 season, you could see how important it was that Albert Pujols returned to the St. Louis Cardinals.

It’s important to the St. Louis Cardinals that he was a Cardinal, is a Cardinal and will forever be a Cardinal.

It’s important to remember the good times that were had as he rose the ranks of the organization to make his debut. It’s wonderful to see his impact during the 11 seasons he played for the Cardinals during the early years. And the epic nostalgia of his return to the team after his run with the Los Angeles Angeles and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s important to see him every day in the dugout, whether it’s talking with Juan Yepez, giving a big brother lecture to Genesis Cabrera or providing coaching opportunities to Dylan Carlson and the countless others who have captured his attention. Even providing an ear or observation to Oli Marmol and Jeff Albert.

And then you take events from this week. Pujols performance during the All-Star break ceremonies with the impressive performance at the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game. And then his beautiful acceptance speech at the ESPY’s as he took home the Muhammed Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award for his work with the Pujols Foundation.

He’s an absolute legend. It was always ridiculous to imagine that Pujols wouldn’t always have an impact on the Cardinals organization. He will always been welcome wtih the St. Louis Cardinals.

The first half of the season just solidifies that thought. It will be sad to see the final games of Pujols during the last weeks and months. But it will be so fun to see his impact in the years to come and what will be next for Pujols and the Cardinals. Their relationship has been patched. Their relationship will continue for years to come. It will be fun to see.

Adam Wainwright

Wainwright is the big brother of the pitching staff. Let’s be honest. He’s the big brother of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Since he gained his legendary status during the postseason run of 2006, Wainwright has been a beloved St. Louis Cardinal. Each season since, fans have wanted nothing but good things for Wainwright.

In 18 games started, he is 6-7 with 111 innings pitched and one complete game. He has 89 strikeouts and a 28.2% called/swinging strike rate. Not bad for a guy over 40.

When he’s not on the mound, you can see Wainwright talking to other members of the rotation from Miles Mikolas, Matthew Liberatore, Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson to his long time friend and catcher Yadier Molina.

It will be fun to see Molina return from the injured list as he and Wainwright have a record they need to break. The pair stand at 316 games started as a battery. They are tied for second place on the all time list with Warren Spahn and Del Crandell. Their next target is 324 games set by Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan.

Wainwright and Molina will have to start eight games together. The sooner Molina can return from the injured list the better the likelihood this record is broken.

Wainwright is a Cardinals legend. Everything he does now is just adding to the legend. It will be fun to see what the final weeks bring for him and how much longer he will go after 2022.