The St. Louis Cardinals are wrapping up a standout month of May, clawing their way back into the playoff picture and regaining positive national attention. Now sitting second in the NL Central behind the Chicago Cubs, the organization is seeing encouraging developments across the board.
Donovan Earns League Recognition After Red-Hot Start
Thanks to a scorching stretch at the plate, utility standout Brendan Donovan has been named to the projected All-MLB Second Team. His versatility has been key for the Cardinals, playing multiple positions while maintaining elite production. He currently leads the National League with 65 hits, holds the third-best batting average at .328, and owns a .390 on-base percentage—good for ninth in the league.
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Though his home run total sits at just three, Donovan leads the NL with 18 doubles, trailing only Bobby Witt Jr. for the MLB lead. The former Gold Glove winner has committed just one error all season while filling in at second base, shortstop, and left field. MLB.com analysts credited his performance with All-MLB recognition, though he narrowly missed First Team behind Ketel Marte of Arizona.
Top Pitching Prospects Making Progress in Rehab Stints
Left-hander Quinn Mathews, last year’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year, is bouncing back after being sidelined with shoulder discomfort. Following an uneven start to the season, the team placed him on the minor league IL. Now on a rehab assignment, Mathews has delivered two promising outings with no walks and eight strikeouts across five innings. His pitch count remains limited, but he’s trending toward a return to Triple-A Memphis if he can continue ramping up without setbacks.
Fellow pitching prospect Tink Hence is also on the comeback trail. After beginning the season on the 60-day IL due to a rib injury, Hence is now working through a rehab assignment of his own. His second outing with Palm Beach wasn’t quite as sharp as the first, but he still limited damage over 2.1 innings while pushing his pitch count to 42. The organization appears committed to keeping him in a starting role moving forward.
Busch Stadium Undergoes Fan-Centric Enhancements
Acknowledging the dip in attendance despite improved on-field performance, Cardinals ownership has opted to reinvest some payroll savings into stadium upgrades designed to enhance the fan experience. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, efforts include new entertainment features like $5 Fridays, live music throughout games, and post-game concerts featuring current musical acts.
In addition to those social upgrades, the team has introduced advanced in-game metrics on the scoreboard—such as exit velocity, defensive positioning, and spray charts—for fans who enjoy the analytical side of the sport.
While fans may prefer the front office spend on marquee players, those moves could be on hold until new baseball operations head Chaim Bloom takes the reins this offseason. For now, the Cardinals hope a mix of winning baseball and improved in-game experiences will help reignite fan enthusiasm and bring more people back to Busch Stadium.
