ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol is expecting a bigger year for Cardinals slugger Nolan Gorman.
While there were plenty of problems from the Cardinals both defensively and offensively, Gorman wasn't one of them.
Offensively, Gorman took massive leaps in his second year in 2023, upping his OPS from his rookie year(.721) by nearly 85 points (.805), nearly doubling his home run total from 14 to 27, and showing more discipline at the plate, walking 58 times, which was 11.4% of his at bats.
Unfortunately, recurring back problems last season caused him to play only 119 games. Gorman has told reporters he's made adjustments in his routine to help make sure his back doesn't become a huge concern in 2024, including changing his diet and his workout routines this off-season.
Marmol praised Gorman for his willingness to change his routines to help make sure his back injury isn't a bigger concern next season.
"He's dedicated and (wants to play baseball) for a long time," said Marmol Wednesday morning before workouts. "He had a really good offseason both physically and mentally, just getting prepared for what's ahead."
Marmol praised Gorman for the shape that he's in with full-team workouts officially began earlier this week.
"He's looks great," said Marmol. "He's moving around well, swinging it really well, just hearing him talk about certain things offensively and the adjustments he's made, it's been really cool to hear."
"Overall, he's put himself in a really good condition to have success."
Marmol believes the only thing standing between Gorman becoming an even bigger threat to pitchers in his third year is the back.
"He's put himself in a position, and he's done everything this off-season to help monitor (the back) as well as during the season," said Marmol. "You're looking at a really scary back, but we're optimistic that he can stay on the field."
