The official ex-Cardinals team of 2024

These former Cardinal players had plenty of success outside of the city this year.

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Infielders

Catcher: Carson Kelly

Carson Kelly makes the list again, partially by default. Very few of the organization's former catchers have found success elsewhere. This year, Kelly has accumulated 1.7 fWAR in 301 plate appearances. He has a .238/.316/.364 slash line for an OPS+ of 97. Most of his value has come from his defensive output. Kelly's 1.78 fWAR lags behind both Ivan Herrera (1.9 fWAR) and Willson Contreras (2.7 fWAR). Winner: current Cardinals.

First base: Juan Yepez

We have a newcomer! Juan Yepez started the year off in the minor leagues, but he broke out (mildly) for the Washington Nationals in the second half. He's played only 57 games, but he has a .277/.330/.437 slash line with six home runs. His 113 wRC+ exceeds that of Paul Goldschmidt for the Cardinals, but his fWAR total (0.4 fWAR) is dragged down by his negative defense. Goldy has accumulated 0.9 fWAR on the season. Winner: current Cardinals, barely

Second base: Richie Palacios

While Richie Palacios has played the bulk of his innings at second base this year, he's also seen ample time in left field, right field, and even third base. However, there were no other former Cardinals who played second base and reached even 100 plate appearances. Therefore, Palacios gets the nod. He has a .233/.350/.332 slash line for a 105 wRC+ and a total of 1.4 fWAR. Nolan Gorman played the most innings at second base for the Cardinals this year, and he finished with a slash line of .203/.271/.4002 and only 0.3 fWAR. Winner: ex-Cardinals

Third base: Edmundo Sosa

I'm not sure if it's the fact that the Cardinals have kept all of their good infielders or if these players have just been bad. However, Edmundo Sosa once again starts at third base for the 2024 ex-Cardinals. Sosa has a .263/.317/.433 slash line for a 108 wRC+ and 1.9 fWAR. Nolan Arenado, on the other hand, has a .269/.323/.391 slash line for a 101 wRC+ and a total of 3.0 fWAR. Winner: current Cardinals.

Shortstop: Paul DeJong

Had Masyn Winn not taken off this year, shortstop would have been a position of regret for the Cardinals. DeJong has put together quite a nice season with a slash line of .230/.277/.432 to go along with 24 home runs in 137 games. DeJong is still stout defensively, and he was able to rack up 1.7 fWAR. However, rookie sensation Masyn Winn outpaced DeJong during the year. Winn has a .267/.314/.406 slash line for a 101 wRC+. His defense has been superb, and he has 3.1 fWAR. Winner: current Cardinals.

Schedule