After beginning the season as the Cardinals’ opening day second baseman, Nolan Gorman was optioned Wednesday to Class AAA Memphis amid struggles at the plate. Through 107 games, Gorman hit 19 home runs but had a .203 batting average and the highest strikeout rate (37.6%) in the majors among qualified hitters. His 151 strikeouts were the third-most in MLB.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said the move will allow Gorman, 24, to continue making offensive adjustments in a “less stressful environment†as his club looks to remain in contention for a spot in the postseason with 37 games remaining in the regular season.
“You want to give (Gorman) enough runway. ... When you look at that Washington (Nationals) series, he did some things well and stayed on the ball well and drove the baseball,†Marmol said. “And then he had a period where he didn’t, and then gets a couple knocks in (Kansas City) and you’re hoping that could kind of spur some more production and get on a roll, so you want to give him enough runway to allow that to happen, but when it doesn’t, then you make the decision to go ahead and make the move.â€
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The move, which comes a day after former top prospect Jordan Walker was optioned to Class AAA, is also expected to allow for additional playing time for outfielder Tommy Pham and designated hitter Matt Carpenter. Carpenter returned to the Cardinals’ active roster Tuesday after he missed time on the injured list with a lower back strain. In his first at-bat in his return, Carpenter hit a pinch-hit two-run home run in eighth inning of the Cardinals’ 3-2 loss to the Brewers at Busch Stadium.
“I mean, for (Carpenter) to go out there yesterday and hit a homer off that guy, that’s very difficult to do,†Marmol said of Carpenter, who has a .261 average in 43 games. “He’s had limited opportunities, and in those opportunities, he’s delivered, so why not try to create more opportunity for him and Pham? It’s at the expense of Gorman. But I think this is the best thing for Gorman and the best thing for our club here with the runway that we do have.â€
A season after hitting a team-high 27 home runs and posting an .806 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 119 games, Gorman ranked 1st percentile of qualified major league hitters in whiff rate. On Tuesday, Gorman went hitless in four at-bats and struck out three times. The last of his three strikeouts ended the Cardinals’ loss to the National League Central rival Brewers with the bases loaded.
The loss dropped the Cardinals to 12 games back of the Brewers in the NL Central and six games back of the Braves in the chase for the NL’s third and final wild-card spot. The Mets, Giants and Cubs sat ahead of the Cardinals in the wild-card standings at the start of Wednesday.
“I mean, obviously it’s a game of production here,†Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said before Tuesday’s game when asked about Gorman. “At some point, you’ve got to consistently produce, or we have to find someone who can. That’s ultimately what it comes down to. These are hard messages to hear, and I think sometimes it can be frustrating at times, but ultimately that’s what ends up defining you. Our offensive struggles this year, I think you can strictly look at the inability for consistent performance day in and day out.â€
Brendan Donovan started at second base Wednesday and is expected to assume starting duties there following Gorman’s demotion. The positional switch allows for more flexibility in the outfield for a group that features Pham, Alec Burleson, Lars Nootbaar and Victor Scott II while also allowing for more flexibility in the use of the designated hitter spot, the latter of which was filled by Carpenter on Wednesday.
Jose Fermin was recalled in a corresponding move. Fermin, 25, played in 30 major league games earlier this season. He has spent most of this season with Class AAA Memphis, where he has batted .311 with a .924 OPS in 61 games. Fermin is expected to provide infield depth while in the majors.
Marmol said Cardinals prospect Thomas Saggese, who is batting .252 with 18 home runs for Memphis, is on his club’s radar, but there would be a lack of playing time in the majors for the 22-year-old right now.
“I think giving (Donovan) a run at second and (Carpenter) and Pham to get more everyday at-bats makes sense for the time being. I do,†Marmol said. “(Saggese) has had more success as of late and even every day going back further than that. He’s put together a decent run. There’s not a rush to do that at the moment.â€
Marmol said pitch recognition and swing adjustments are some of the changes Gorman will focus on as he gets regular playing time with Memphis. Marmol said the move may not signal the end of Gorman’s time in the majors this season.
“The one thing I told him is: I don’t want him to go down there with the thought of, ‘This is where my season ends, and then I just focus on the offseason,’†the Cardinals manager said. “My hope is that he gets on track and then we have a decision to make sometime in September. I think this will serve them well. I think it’s needed.â€
Extra bases
Michael Siani (right oblique strain) began taking soft toss Wednesday. Marmol said Siani was “heading in the right direction,†adding that the plan is for Siani to repeat soft toss as part of his swing progression.
- Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation) responded well after simulating three innings during a session of live batting practice Tuesday. The right-hander is expected to repeat a live batting practice session Monday at Busch Stadium. Marmol noted that Lynn will “add volume†to that session.