Nolan Gorman

Gorman struck out at a 31.9 percent clip in 2023, but it was acceptable because he also walked at an 11.4 percent rate, boasted a 48.5 percent hard-hit rate and slugged 27 home runs. However, the strikeout rate ballooned to 37.6 percent in 2024, the walk rate dropped to 8.5 percent and the hard-hit rate tumbled to 38.6 percent. Gorman was optioned back to Triple-A Memphis in late August following a particularly brutal stretch and stayed there for the remainder of the season. A 16.7 percent barrel rate last season showed that Gorman can still sting the ball when he makes contact, but he will have to get the swing and miss down to an acceptable level for the quality of contact to matter. Gorman will turn just 25 in May, and St. Louis' plan for a youth movement means he should get another opportunity in 2025. Read Past Outlooks