For a little while, I felt super optimistic about the Redbirds this season [View all]

But then reality decided to crash the party and harsh my vibe...

Oh well, I still have a list of players and how they're progressing that make me optimistic for NEXT season, so let's talk about it.

1st, Masyn Winn.
Last year, he was a gold Glove candidate with no power and sporadic contact.
Well, this season he started of like that, but as the year progressed, he has really started to figure it out at the dish.
He's hitting 348 since the All-Star break while flashing respectable pull power.

Here's Oli discussing his progress:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1aYtYsAN2N/

Next up, Jordan Walker.
Last year he was a mess.
In the bottom 10th of outfielders in DRS and range. He was also a sub 250 hitter who could not lay off sliders away.
In the first half of this year, he showed himself as an above average defender, who still flailed helplessly at sliders away.

Since his return from the IL on July 19th though? He's raised his average 40 points and spits on that slider out of the zone. "It's a process"
https://youtube.com/shorts/TtkjHN6ulME?si=fLdg3vWi9A44F082

Ok, here's Katie with a positive take
https://youtube.com/shorts/XM0PpSyvD6M?si=bSwiDlyd-p4mhViL

Liberatore, McGreevy and Pallante.
Young pitching is the gateway drug to delusional expectations for a baseball team. So, grain of salt warnings apply.
And as I typed that sentence, Pallante served up a chunk of cheese for a 3-run home run.
FUUUUCK the Cubs
But still. Young arms

Finally, JJ Wetherholt
He's flown up the minor leagues and is dominating in AAA, already.
He'll be in the Lou next year

https://youtube.com/shorts/3FlwDv769GQ?si=PVl54SfX94atWgTw