As is tradition around these parts after the season is over, we’re taking a look at every player that got into a game for the St. Louis Cardinals this season. That’ll range from someone that didn’t record an out to someone that played almost every inning. Treat it like they are stopping by the manager’s office (umm, also imagine this was before the managerial change) on their way home for the winter for a performance review. Stats listed are ones generated during their time with the Cards and the grade is based not only on their performance but on the expectations for them going into the season. As he has the past few years, the legend that is cardinalsgifs has provided our excellent header image!
Player: Max Moroff
Season stats: 6 G, 16 PA, 1 RBI, 10 K, .063/.063/.063, -65 OPS+, -0.3 bWAR, -0.3 fWAR
Statcast: .135 xwOBA, 16.7 barrel %, 86.1 exit velocity, 16.7 hard hit %, 62.5 K %, 0.0 BB %
Best Statcast category: Max Exit Velocity (22nd percentile)
Worst Statcast category: None
Hero/Goat: None
Grade: None
Positives: Hit .538 in Memphis in his 26 at bats there….had four homers in Memphis as well….on May 11 had a four-hit, two-homer day against Nashville….hit a homer the next day as well then was called to the big leagues.
Negatives: Struck out 10 times in 16 at bats….only had one hit, a single, in the big leagues in 2021….got injured at the end of May and didn’t return the rest of the season….was designated for assignment after the season and eventually elected minor league free agency.
Overview: Really not much to say about a guy that was Moroff the roster than on. The Cardinals always seem to find this kind of guy (Dean Anna, Ty Kelly), they sign a minor league contract with an invite to spring training, then they either barely get a cup of coffee or never make it up at all. Of course, it’s not like at the point of signing anyone really expects more than a little depth from them, so it’s hard to get worked up about it.
Outlook: Moroff had such a hot run at Memphis that someone will try to take a flyer on him with a minor league invite and it might even be the Cards. He’s not likely to give you much at the major league level–his best season he hit .200–and he’s reaching his Age 29 season, so there’s not exactly potential there either. However, organizational filler is still a thing even with fewer teams and he fits that role perfectly.
