The Youth Movement Takes the Field

he Cardinal Chronicle
The Youth Movement Takes the Field
St. Louis, MO — By Ray Mileur

With just over two weeks remaining before Opening Day at Busch Stadium, the shape of the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals roster is beginning to come into focus. While nothing is officially set in stone yet, the projection coming out of Jupiter offers a clear picture of where the organization is headed.

Simply put, the Cardinals are turning the page.

Gone are many of the veteran anchors that defined the previous era. In their place stands one of the youngest rosters the franchise has carried in years. It is a transition that has been unfolding for months, but now the results are visible on the field.

Manager Oliver Marmol has embraced the shift, expressing more excitement about this group than any club he has managed since taking the job. The reason is simple: this roster is being built around players who are just beginning their major league stories.

And that story begins with youth.

Catchers (3)
Pedro Pagés, Iván Herrera, Yohel Pozo

Defense remains the priority behind the plate. Pagés is expected to handle the bulk of the catching duties thanks to his strong game-calling reputation and ability to manage the pitching staff.

Herrera, one of the club’s best hitters in 2025, will likely spend significant time at designated hitter while still rotating behind the plate when needed. Pozo rounds out the group as a solid depth option and has swung the bat well this spring.

Infielders (6)
Alec Burleson, José Fermín, Nolan Gorman, JJ Wetherholt, Ramón Urías, Masyn Winn

This is where the future of the Cardinals becomes impossible to ignore.

Masyn Winn has firmly established himself as the club’s shortstop and emerging clubhouse leader. Lining up beside him will likely be rookie JJ Wetherholt, the organization’s top prospect and one of the most polished hitters to come through the system in years.

If spring is any indication, Wetherholt is not arriving quietly.

At first base, Alec Burleson continues his transition into a middle-of-the-order bat. Third base remains the most unsettled position, with Nolan Gorman’s power balanced against the defensive stability of Ramón Urías.

The Cardinals may ultimately ride the hot hand there.

Outfielders (4)
Nathan Church, Victor Scott II, Nelson Velázquez, Jordan Walker

The outfield picture remains fluid, largely due to the expected absence of Lars Nootbaar, who is still recovering from offseason heel surgery and may begin the year on the injured list.

Victor Scott II appears locked into center field thanks to his elite defense and speed. Jordan Walker is projected to handle right field as the organization continues to bet on his immense upside.

Left field remains the biggest question mark heading toward Opening Day. Nelson Velázquez currently appears to have the inside track, though competition remains open.

Starting Rotation (5)
Kyle Leahy, Matthew Liberatore, Dustin May, Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante

The pitching staff may ultimately determine how competitive this young Cardinals club can be in 2026.

Matthew Liberatore is the early favorite to start on Opening Day, while Dustin May adds an intriguing power arm to the rotation. Andre Pallante and Michael McGreevy provide stability, and Kyle Leahy’s transition from the bullpen to the rotation represents one of the more interesting experiments of the spring.

If the group performs to its potential, the Cardinals could quietly field a much improved pitching staff.

Bullpen (8)
Justin Bruihl, Luis Gastelum, Riley O’Brien, Gordon Graceffo, JoJo Romero, George Soriano, Ryne Stanek, Matt Svanson

The bullpen also reflects the organization’s youth movement.

While I would have Matt Svanson closing, according to insiders, JoJo Romero appears to be the leading candidate to handle closing duties, while veterans like Ryne Stanek will be counted on to guide a relief corps filled with young arms still learning the major league stage.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

JJ Wetherholt — 2B - A disciplined hitter with elite on-base skills, Wetherholt sets the table and forces pitchers to work from the very first pitch of the game.

Masyn Winn — SS - Bat control, speed, and aggressive base running make Winn the perfect No. 2 hitter to move runners, create pressure, and keep the line moving.

Iván Herrera — DH - Your best overall hitter belongs in the three-hole, and Herrera’s combination of average, power, and on-base ability makes him the lineup’s offensive centerpiece.

Alec Burleson — 1B - Burleson slots naturally into the cleanup role as a developing middle-of-the-order bat capable of driving in runs and protecting Herrera.

Nolan Gorman — 3B - Gorman’s left-handed power plays perfectly in the fifth spot, where one swing can flip the scoreboard with runners already on base.

Nelson Velázquez — LF - They have to add Velazquez to the roster. Velázquez adds another power threat in the six hole, giving the Cardinals back-to-back slugging potential in the heart of the lineup.

Jordan Walker — RF - Walker’s athleticism and raw power make him dangerous in the lower middle of the order, where he can turn rallies into crooked numbers.

Pedro Pagés — C - Pagés bats eighth where his defense and game management remain the priority, while any offense becomes a welcome bonus.

Victor Scott II — CF - Scott’s elite speed essentially turns the ninth spot into a “second leadoff hitter,” capable of flipping the lineup back to the top.

SP — Matthew Liberatore  - The new and improved Liberatore gets the Opening Day assignment as the stabilizing arm expected to lead a young Cardinals rotation into the new season.

The Cardinal Chronicle Take

This lineup reflects a traditional baseball philosophy: put disciplined hitters at the top, stack your run producers through the middle, and create pressure again at the bottom. JJ Wetherholt and Masyn Winn give the Cardinals two smart, high-energy table setters who can get on base and force the action early.

The heart of the order—Iván Herrera, Alec Burleson, and Nolan Gorman—provides the power needed to drive runners home, while Nelson Velázquez and Jordan Walker extend the lineup with additional slugging potential. At the bottom, Victor Scott II’s speed essentially turns the ninth spot into a second leadoff hitter, creating a lineup that can start rallies from both ends.

For a young team, it’s a structure that balances development with a classic run-manufacturing approach. And beginning March 26 at Busch Stadium, they will start writing the next chapter of Cardinals baseball.