Every year, or at least every year since 2012, we’ve taken some time after the season was over to look at the past 162 games through the lens of the players that played them (and the management that was in charge of them). Last year, the Exit Interview series spent less time digging into splits and finding numerical oddities and more time reflecting on the player and their season. It was a style that seemed to work so we’re going to bring it back again this year. The legendary cardinalsgifs is back to bring us excellent series art, so it’s all downhill after you see that!
Player: Masyn Winn
Stats: 150 G, 637 PA, 85 R, 32 2B, 5 3B, 15 HR, 57 RBI, 11 SB, 5 CS, .267/.314/.416, 4.9 bWAR
Statcast: 3.7% barrel, 33.5% sweet spot, 111.1 max exit velocity, .315 wOBA, .293 xwOBA, 17.1 K%, 6.4 BB%
Grade: A
It’s ridiculous to compare anyone, especially a rookie, to Ozzie Smith. Ozzie is a legend, a Hall of Famer, an icon in Cardinal red. He was a once in a lifetime talent, the package of charisma and ability. And yet I can’t shake the feeling that Winn is going to follow in those footsteps. The glove is remarkable, the bat was even better than expected, and this guy could be the face of baseball with his maturity and pizzazz. In almost any other year, Winn would have been the NL Rookie of the Year or at least a rummer up. The fact that he didn’t get a vote this season has nothing to do with him and much more to do with how remarkable the NL class was this season. Two years ago, if someone had made me choose Jordan Walker or Winn, I would have taken Winn in part because I’m a sucker for a shortstop. Now, it’s not hard to believe Winn might have the brighter career.
Of course, he does have to repeat this. While a lot of the excitement about him is due to his development since he was drafted–it’s not like he came out of nowhere–it’s fair to say that it was only one really good year. He could come out and have a pedestrian season next year, hit the “sophomore slump” if you like, and perhaps some of the glow would fade off of him. I don’t think that will happen, though, and I don’t think he’s done growing and improving. If Nolan Arenado is traded this winter, it would feel like the most likely candidate in 2025 to continue the “Hall of Famer on the roster every year since 1920 (or whatever it is)” run would be Masyn Winn.
What’s in store for 2025: What should be in store is a contract extension, locking him up at least through his arbitration years. With the TV contract settled and money coming off the books, it would be a great way to show the fans that there is a commitment to the young talent that is coming up. Beyond that, Winn will be the starting shortstop, likely at the top of the order, and will continue to flash the leather while becoming a reasonable force at the plate.
