3 under-the-radar Cardinals players who will help the most in 2023

The St. Louis Cardinals have a very deep roster, and there will be plenty of opportunities for players to make an impact regardless of whether or not they make the opening day roster.

The team to beat in the National League over the past five seasons has been the Los Angeles Dodgers. They have had deep rosters and deep rotations that were highlighted by Clayton Kershaw and eventual All-Stars.

The 2023 version of the St. Louis Cardinals could mirror some of the most successful Dodger and Cardinal teams of recent seasons that have gone on to have deep playoff runs and win the World Series.

Although the biggest question mark on the team is the lack of a front-line starting pitcher, the depth of every position on the field deserves some attention and praise from general manager John Mozeliak.

There are three players in particular who Cardinals fans should keep an eye on this season that could have a huge impact on whether or not the team can make the deep playoff run that fans have been craving.

1. Jake Woodford

Jake Woodford is quietly having one of the best Spring Training performances among pitchers during the preseason. He has appeared in four games this spring, netting 12.2 innings of work.

In those 12.2 innings, he has recorded one start, eight hits, and has struck out eleven batters while giving up just four runs. He is making a strong case to be involved in a very crowded bullpen in St. Louis and to be on the shortlist for a starting role if a pitcher goes down.

The 26-year-old is entering his fourth big league season, and through all four seasons as a major leaguer, he has been up and down from AAA and the majors. He posted a strong season in the bigs last year when he was up in St. Louis, but that didn't stop the Cardinals from continually sending him down.

He made just one start for the Cardinals last year and made appearances in 27 games overall. He concluded his 2022 campaign with a 4-0 record, a 2.23 ERA, and posted 24 strikeouts in 48.1 innings of work.

Even more impressive than his ability to limit his earned run total to 12 runs was his ability to keep the ball in the yard. He allowed one home run last season and has given up 15 over his three-year big league career.

There are many question marks in the Cardinals rotation. There are injury-prone players and players who have not proven that they can be consistently relied upon in St. Louis.

Like it or not, Woodford is pitching his way on the shortlist of taking a full-time starting rotation role next season, given the lack of pitchers under contract after the conclusion of the 2023 campaign.

2. Nolan Gorman

The only reason that Nolan Gorman could be considered under the radar is because of the emergence of left-handed hitters Brendan Donovan and international superstar Lars Nootbaar.

Gorman was a top-100 prospect in the Cardinals organization and has since graduated to be an everyday big leaguer. He would be the starting second or third basemen on plenty of teams and would be on the Cardinals if not for the massive depth on the infield.

The 2018 first-round pick had a lackluster start to his major league career. He hit .226 last season with 14 home runs and 35 RBIs. However, if you combine his minor league totals with his time in St. Louis, he hit 30 home runs a year ago.

He came into spring training having reworked his swing, and he is having a good preseason for the Cardinals. Through 30 plate appearances, he has two home runs and five RBIs and is hitting .240.

Donovan looks like he has the starting second base spot locked up and with the new rules about shifting and his strong spring, the gold glover makes sense at second base to start the season.

Gorman can still slot into the designated hitter role against righties and have a massive impact on the team in 2023. With a full season under his belt, there is no reason why he couldn't eclipse 40 home runs this year. If that happens, look out.