News Summary
The St. Louis Cardinals are struggling in the 2025 season, trailing behind in the National League Central and seeking to prioritize the growth of young players like Masyn Winn. Despite his defensive prowess and earlier success, Winn is currently grappling with a knee injury that has impacted his offensive performance. With concerns over his continuity in the lineup, the Cardinals are considering potential replacements to mitigate risks as they navigate the remainder of the season.
St. Louis — The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a challenging 2025 season as they find themselves 17 1/2 games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. Following a 10-6 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays, the Cardinals are now five games back in the Wild Card race, marking what is likely to be their third consecutive year without playoff contention. In light of their standing, the organization is prioritizing the development of young talent, including promising shortstop Masyn Winn.
Winn emerged as a standout player last year, being a contender for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. His defensive capabilities have garnered significant attention, with analysts recognizing him as the best defensive shortstop in Major League Baseball. Currently, he leads all shortstops with 14 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and ranks highly in Outs Above Average (OAA) and Fielding Runs Value (FRV) statistics. Winn boasts an impressive .995 fielding percentage, contributing significantly to the team’s defense.
Offensively, however, Winn’s performance has recently faltered due to a recurring knee injury. On the season, he maintains a .258 batting average, a .314 on-base percentage, a .378 slugging percentage, 46 RBIs, and nine home runs. His overall contribution to the team is reflected in his 2.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and nine stolen bases. However, since the beginning of June, his offensive output has dipped notably, as evidenced by a 78 wRC+ and a .630 OPS, both of which are substantially lower than earlier in the season.
Initially, after the All-Star break, Winn showed signs of resurgence, but his performance has once again declined. The Cardinals have adopted a cautious approach with their pitching rotation, but they have been less conservative with position players. Winn’s ongoing knee issues have raised concerns, and he described his condition as “jacked up.” The organization has taken preventative measures, having administered a knee injection for his treatment around the All-Star break.
As the Cardinals navigate the final stretch of the season, with 31 games remaining, there are growing concerns regarding the risk of exacerbating Winn’s injury. If his condition does not improve, the team may consider placing him on the injured list (IL). Should that happen, the Cardinals have potential replacements in JJ Wetherholt or Thomas Saggese, who could step into the shortstop role, providing further developmental opportunities for team prospects.
Looking ahead, despite the difficulties of the current season, the future appears bright for Masyn Winn. He is rapidly establishing himself as a cornerstone player for the Cardinals franchise, demonstrating skill and promise both defensively and offensively. Fans and analysts alike are hopeful that with the right care and support, Winn will continue to grow and contribute to the team’s success in the years to come.
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Additional Resources
- MLB: Masyn Winn Pulled from Cardinals Lineup
- Redbird Rants: Protecting Masyn Winn
- Sports Illustrated: Cardinals Standout Playing Hurt
- Viva El Birdos: Is Masyn Winn Elite?
- Athlon Sports: JJ Wetherholt Decision After Masyn Winn News
- Wikipedia: Masyn Winn
- Google Search: Masyn Winn
- Google Scholar: Masyn Winn
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Masyn Winn
- Google News: Masyn Winn
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
