Three St. Louis Cardinals with the most to prove in 2025

These are somewhat uncharted waters for the St. Louis Cardinals as the 2025 season begins. St. Louis has been a model of consistency over the past several decades, but enters the season picked to finish near the bottom of the standings by nearly every major news outlet.

It's not that last season was awful — an 83-79 record with a second-place finish in the National League Central would make other clubs envious — but this isn't just any franchise. It's one of the most successful franchises of all-time and expectations are higher than most.

There's plenty to prove this season, but three individuals in particular are in need of a big year. Contracts, playing time and futures with the club are on the line.

Nolan Arenado | third baseman

How quickly people have written off Arenado. Yes, he's getting older at 33, but he's still more than effective. Some might say it's awkward he's still around after it was assumed he would be traded. That's all the more reason for him to have a big year.

Arenado's future could be in St. Louis, but if it's somewhere else then this season will decide how sizable of a contract he gets from another club. After 10 straight Gold Glove seasons, Arenado has failed to win the award the last two years. He also saw a drastic dip in offensive production, hitting just 16 home runs and 71 RBI.

With no Paul Goldschmidt in St. Louis, Arenado must return to his superstar ways if the Cardinals are to win ballgames. It's not just the Cardinals that depend on Arenado — his future depends on his 2025 production as well.

Jordan Walker | outfielder

Walker was a ballyhooed prospect, but the start of his Major League career has been anything but smooth. He's bounced between St. Louis and Triple A Memphis the last two seasons. 

The Cardinals needs him to provide more pop — he hit just five home runs in 178 plate appearances last season. Walker is only 22 and he's played in 168 big league games. He's still young, but St. Louis is hopeful for a breakout season. 

The early returns in 2025 are positive and Walker cites the work he's done with new hitting coach Brant Brown.

“Brownie’s done a really good job with body stuff and how each player moves, and he’s laid out his plan with me and it all starts in the pre-workout routine,” Walker said. “One thing that Brownie has been good about is pointing out the things I was good at when I was a prospect and what I did at the end of 2023 when I was hitting good. He has me so excited.”

Oliver Marmol | manager

Marmol has been under intense scrutiny from the fan base since taking over for Mike Shildt in 2022. He signed a two-year contract extension in March 2024 so it stands to reason that he'll return in 2026. 

However, changes are coming to the Cardinals front office as president of baseball operations John Mozeliak transitions out of the role following this season. Chaim Bloom will take Mozeliak's place.

After two disappointing seasons, a third in a row could be problematic for Marmol as the front office gets a shakeup. The odds are stacked against him, but he needs positive momentum.