St. Louis Cardinals notebook: 3 things I heard during first 2023 series

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ST. LOUIS — The opening series of the season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays had a little bit of everything, including some attention-grabbing performances at the plate and on the mound.

Having spent time in both the Cardinals and Blue Jays clubhouses, here are three things that stood out to me about the opening series in the Gateway City.

St. Louis Cardinals news: Jordan Walker makes an early impact

The 20-year-old rookie showed few signs of being nervous during his first days on an MLB roster. He logged his first MLB hit in his first MLB plate appearance, becoming the first Cardinal to have a hit in their first career plate appearance on Opening Day since Wally Moon in 1954. In the next game, he stole his first base, adding that he hoped to use his speed as a weapon in 2023.

Walker said the adjustment to MLB has been mostly about learning how to battle against a complete “arsenal” of pitches from the opposition.

“Every at-bat is a fight. These guys are throwing some good pitches,” Walker said. “It feels like every one of them has a splitter. I’m trying to do what I can to barrel up the ball, but things are going well right now.”

And his biggest lesson about pitching at the MLB level so far?

“They’ll mix it up. They’re throwing me pretty much every pitch they have in their arsenal and I have to adjust to it,” Walker said.

So far, the adjustments have been a success, with Walker going 4-for-12 in his first three games, with only one strikeout.

St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Nolan Gorman. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

St. Louis Cardinals news: Nolan Gorman adjustments paying dividends

While there was plenty of buzz heading into the season about a number of Cardinals, Nolan Gorman wasn’t on many of those lists after a disappointing season where he slashed .226/.300/.420 in 313 plate appearances. However, Gorman showed a different style at the plate in the opening series of 2023, with Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol giving credit to him for swinging in the right situation at the right pitch.

“We talk about the mechanical adjustments a ton with him, but part of it is knowing which ones to swing at,” Marmol said on Sunday, before Gorman blasted a pair of homers in his first two at-bats of the day. “He’s picking right. His ability to not leave the zone or not chase up top is important. There are certain ones that you have to be able to put in play or at least buy yourself another pitch, especially when you have two strikes. But he’s been able to lay off some really good pitches, and I think we’re going to see that more and more.”

That eye at the plate has been apparent for Gorman as he drew a walk in the first two games of the series, extending his streak to five straight games (dating back to last season with a walk). Serving as the team’s DH for the first three games of the season (something he did in just 18 games all of last year), Gorman’s ability to get on base lengthens the St. Louis lineup and will be something to watch throughout the season.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

St. Louis Cardinals feel Jordan Montgomery can take next step

Acquired at the 2022 MLB trade deadline for outfielder Harrison Bader, Montgomery has made just 12 regular-season starts in a Cardinals uniform, including Sunday’s outing where he allowed six hits and three runs in 5.0 innings over the course of 91 pitches. It’s safe to say that St. Louis is still in the early stages of comprehending what the the 30-year-old southpaw can bring to the rotation in the future, but manager Oliver Marmol is excited about the possibilities.

“There’s a lot of room for growth in Monty, in his routine and what he’s able to do and in tightening up some things that will lead to even more success,” Marmol said. “Whenever you get a player who is already good and then you say, ‘Hey man, there are some things we can still do to get you at a different level,’ that’s exciting. He fits into that bucket.”

Montgomery is scheduled to be a free agent once the 2023 season ends, so the Cardinals will be looking to see this season if they can indeed help him get to that next level. If that code can be unlocked after last season’s 3.11 ERA/3.08 FIP/1.084 WHIP in 63.2 innings with St. Louis, look for the Cardinals to see what they can do about making sure Montgomery doesn’t reach free agency and stays as a part of the rotation for years to come.

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