For the better part of a month, Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman has provided an impactful left-handed presence in a lineup that has endured inconsistent production this season.
Entering Thursday night’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies, Gorman posted a slash line of .324/.407/.789 with 10 home runs, 19 RBIs, 10 walks and 30 strikeouts in 21 games (19 starts) since May 10.
“I think that’s what it is, I’m seeing the ball,†Gorman said. “Seeing the ball well and just trying to attack one pitch at a time.â€
He went 0 for 4 in Wednesday’s series finale against the Astros and snapped a stretch of three consecutive games with a home run. For the three-city, nine-game road trip, Gorman went 10 for 35 (.286) with six home runs.
Asked about adjustments he’s made that have led to the recent surge at the plate, Gorman said they weren’t physical or mechanical.
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“It’s more approach-based stuff,†Gorman said. “It’s not necessarily the swing or anything. So it’s just getting the approach down and making sure I have a good idea of what I want to do against each pitcher.â€
He now has a team-high 14 home runs (tied for third-most in the National League) this season.
Gorman, who led the team with 27 home runs last season, started slowly at the plate this season. He’d slashed .172/.256/.319 through his first 33 games (31 starts).
In the last 10 games before he started on his recent tear, Gorman showed a marked improvement in plate discipline. He walked seven times and struck out nine times in that 10-game stretch. Prior to that, he’d struck out 34 times and walked just six times.
“I think when he’s walking, it’s a matter of putting less pressure on himself of having to get a hit,†Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said during the recent road trip. “He’s allowing the game to come to him rather than him just trying to chase hits. So it’s a good sign when he’s able to take his walks, not trying to do too much and swinging when he can actually do damage.â€
Spin is the thing for Helsley
Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley’s average fastball velocity this season (99.5 mph) ranks among the 99th percentile of all pitchers in the majors, and yet this season, he’d thrown his slider mores often (170 times) than his fastball (165) entering Thursday night.
“At this level, it’s kind of a cat-and-mouse game and a chess match,†Helsley said. “We’ve faced a lot of these guys more than once, and they’ve got a lot of video and scouting stuff on you now. I’m just trying to, honestly, be present in the moment and kind of see what kind of swings guys are taking and trust that your catcher is calling the right pitches too.â€
Helsley went 11 consecutive scoreless outings before he gave up two runs in a save against the Chicago Cubs on May 25. The Cubs did not miss on any of their eight swings in that outing, including five swings on four-seam fastballs that averaged 97.4 mph.
One night later, Helsley varied his pitch usage and threw more sliders than any other pitch to save a 4-3 Sunday night win. He used his curveball as often as his fastball in that outing.
In outings against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 2 and the Houston Astros on June 5, Helsley again leaned on his secondary pitches. Against the Phillies, nine of 11 pitches were sliders. He closed out the win against the Astros using all three offerings in an eight-pitch outing, though the fastball usage (four pitches) slightly outpaced that of the slider (three pitches).
“The more weapons you have, the better,†Helsley said. “It makes your job a little more fun and easier when you don’t have to rely on just one or two pitches. You know you have three pitches you can throw in any count and just attack guys with.â€
Helsley entered the series with the Rockies leading the majors in saves (20) and leading the NL in games finished (25).
Hence exits start early
Pitcher Tink Hence, ranked the No. 22 overall prospect in the minors by Baseball America, exited his start Wednesday for Double-A Springfield (Missouri) after he threw just 35 pitches. He left the field alongside team trainer Alex Wolfinger.
Hence left the game as a “precautionary†move, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak told the Post-Dispatch in a text message.
Elsewhere in the minors ...
- Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz was scheduled to throw approximately 40 pitches or two innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Memphis. He’s been on the IL with a lower back strain since May 1.
- Relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos began a rehab assignment with Memphis on May 31. He was scheduled to pitch Thursday night, followed by an appearance on Sunday.
Post-Dispatch staff writer Daniel Guerrero contributed to this report.