Ranking the St. Louis Cardinals biggest X-Factors post-trade deadline

ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 15: Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium on June 15, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 15: Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium on June 15, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
5 of 7
ST LOUIS, MO – JULY 09: Dylan Carlson #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals catches a fly ball against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Busch Stadium on July 9, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – JULY 09: Dylan Carlson #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals catches a fly ball against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Busch Stadium on July 9, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

No. 3: Dylan Carlson

After having his name right in the thick of the Juan Soto trade rumors, Dylan Carlson has been risen to the occasion defensively and provided key hits for St. Louis in big moments. Yet, there is still another level, especially at the plate, that the Cardinals will need from their center fielder.

Over the last 20 games, Carlson is slashing .205./287/.672 with 2 HR and 9 RBI. The last 6 games have only gotten worse, with that line dropping to .080/.115/.240 as the primary leadoff man.

Carlson has more than proven himself to be an elite defensive center fielder that can make up for the loss of Harrison Bader. The Cardinals really need him to find his grove at the plate though, as the switch hitter is the club’s best lead off option currently and really transforms the lineup when he is on.

Carlson has been extremely impactful lately, even when his counting stats don’t show that. This makes him an even more valuable piece to the puzzle going forward. The more Carlson gets back on track, the more dangerous this Cardinal team becomes. St. Louis is pot committed to their young core, and Carlson is one of the biggest names they are banking on.

Schedule