Cardinals: Nolan Gorman optioned to AAA, Juan Yepez called up

In a surprise move by the Cardinals, St. Louis has sent down hyped prospect Nolan Gorman to AAA Memphis and called up Juan Yepez.

The St. Louis Cardinals expected big things from Nolan Gorman this season, and although it has not been a bad rookie season, he has not lived up to the hype that surrounded him to begin the 2022 season. The club optioned Gorman to AAA Memphis on Sunday and recalled Juan Yepez to the club.

Gorman began the year in AAA on an absolute tear, mashing home runs and setting the league on fire and receiving a call up to St. Louis. The 22-year-old held his own for most of his time in St. Louis, but has struggled greatly over the last month. In his last 19 games, Gorman is slashing .146/.217/.255 with just 1 home run and 3 RBI.

The club expects big things from Gorman long term, but he clearly needed to be sent down to work through his struggles. The club would loved to have his big bat in the lineup in October, but time is running out for Gorman to turn things around, and the club desperately needs their lineup to pick things back up, hence why they made the move to option the promising slugger to the minors.

If this is the end of Gorman’s rookie campaign, he will finish the year hitting .226/.300/.420 with 14 HR and 35 RBI in 89 games. Gorman has shown promise for the Cardinals, and if he can find his grove again, he will surely continue his trajectory as an up and coming power bat.

Yepez has been solid for St. Louis in his rookie season, slashing .252/.297/.457 with 11 HR and 27 RBI. He will likely see time in the corner outfield spots while Donovan slots in at second base more regularly for the club.