Cardinals: 3 biggest X-Factors going into 2023 season

The Cardinals could have a deep run this season, depending on how these x-factors play.

With some concerns regarding pitching, the Cardinals still have a deep roster that could take them far this season.

The team has a roster loaded with talent in the batting order and on the field. The depth they have there could help the team down the stretch if pitching becomes too big a concern.

Again, pitching may become a concern if the rotation or bullpen becomes taxed late into the season. Adam Wainwright is beginning his final season on the injured list with a groin strain. Miles Mikolas typically takes on large innings loads. He signed a two-year extension last week that will keep him with the Cardinals after this season. Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty will become free agents after this season and surely step up big. Steven Matz had injuries that kept him on the injured list last summer. He will want a big season to show the team what he's made of, as he will be one of two starting pitchers signed after this season.

In past seasons, the bullpen has been very taxed late in the season. It will be essential to see if the starting rotation, under the direction of new pitching coach Dusty Blake, can go deeper and more effectively in the games.

Another area of concern will be the outfield. It's loaded with young talent this season. The outfield projects as any combination of Alec Burleson, Dylan Carlson, Lars Nootbaar, Tyler O'Neill, and Jordan Walker. Carlson and O'Neill are coming back from seasons where they faced injury. Nootbaar has been impressive, even gaining international appeal by playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. Burleson was a backup for much of last season, and Walker is a 20-year-old who has had a meteoric rise as the Cardinals' top prospect. This young outfield corp is exciting, but would they benefit from having a veteran in the mix?

Let's take a look at three players who could be X-Factors in the Cardinals 2023 season.

Tyler O'Neill

Simply put, the Cardinals need the version of Tyler O'Neill who hits massive home runs and makes Gold Glove-caliber plays in the outfield.

This offseason O'Neill implemented a new workout program that concentrated on running and plyometrics. These changes should help him with speed on the base paths and in the outfield. Hopefully, this new program allows him to stay healthy while running out plays and launching beautiful home runs.

O'Neill is projected to move to the center field position after putting in the work at the position this Spring Training leading up to his performance with Team Canada. O'Neill won the Gold Glove twice playing in left field and has played some rightfield this spring. It seems the team wants the outfielders to be versatile enough to play either position or be the designated hitter.

The team needs the exciting, homer-mashing bro we all love. Here's hoping we get that version all season.

Lars Nootbaar

Other than Walker, Lars Nootbaar has to be in the running for the potential to have a most exciting season. Noot has an exciting, infectious personality in the clubhouse and leaves all out on the field. This is the version he's displayed since coming to the Cardinals. It's also what he showed off while playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Nootbaar has gained an international following, and hopefully, this just serves as an incentive to just keeping putting it all out on the field and play every day, making outstanding plays in the outfield and at least putting the ball in play on a consistent basis. He has a pepper-grinding fanbase around the world that wants to see him grind out some amazing plays.

Much like O'Neill, Nootbaar can play all outfield positions. It will be interesting to see where Nootbaar fits in the scheme of how the team sets the outfield situationally.

The excitement level for this team is at an all-time high. Nootbaar adds a nice spice to it. If he keeps this up, it should be amazing to watch.