Once again, the St. Louis Cardinals were one of baseball's better defensive teams. St. Louis tied with Toronto for second in fielding run value (46), finished third in outs above average (38), and fifth in Fangraphs' defensive value metric (22.0). Although the Cardinals had several above-average defenders, a few standouts in the field did much of the heavy lifting.
In their first year playing together, Masyn Winn and JJ Wetherholt made their claim to Major League Baseball's best defensive tandem up the middle. And starter Michael McGreevy did his part as a right-hander who pitches to contact, fielding his position as well as any other pitcher in the league. All three were named Gold Glove Award finalists, as St. Louis looks to take home multiple Gold Gloves for the first time since 2022.
After winning his first Gold Glove Award last season, Winn looks to repeat as the National League's best defensive shortstop. He fell in line with his 2025 numbers, logging the same fielding run value (17) and posting 19 outs above average instead of 21. The biggest difference is how much Defensive Runs Saved favored Winn in 2026, crediting him with 10, eight more than last season.
Aug 18, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) throws to first to get Cincinnati Reds outfielder Hector Rodriguez (not pictured) out in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
He leads the National League in all three categories and is tied with Bobby Witt Jr. for the most FRV at the position, while turning four double plays above average, which also led baseball. Winn did all that despite playing just 136 games, as he missed a few weeks down the stretch with a left thumb fracture .
Leading all infielders in average arm strength, the 5-9 185-pounder gets throws to first at 94.4 mph. Also the 2024 Fielding Bible shortstop winner, Winn has cemented himself as one of the league's premier shortstops. The 24-year-old's competition includes Dansby Swanson and Geraldo Perdomo , two accomplished and impressive defenders at short. But Winn should be the back-to-back winner in the NL.
Funnily enough, Spring Training raised mild concerns about JJ Wetherholt 's second-base defense. The rookie committed a couple of errors before the regular season and seemed to be slowly adjusting to the position after playing mostly shortstop at West Virginia and in the minor leagues. Seven months later, he led all second basemen with 25 outs above average. The next closest was Brandon Lowe , who logged 15. Wetherholt's fielding run value of 23 also paced all of baseball.
Visually, Wetherholt was cool, calm, and collected all season, displaying great range and comfortability in the field. He was a 101 wRC+ bat, but Wetherholt's glove fueled him to accumulate 4.6 fWAR, tying him with Jackson Chourio , Michael Harris II , and Seiya Suzuki for the 18th-highest mark in MLB. That value, despite being essentially average at the plate, is why the Cardinals inked Wetherholt to a long-term extension this summer and why he is in the NL Rookie of the Year race. Wetherholt looks to be the first St. Louis second baseman to win the award since Kolten Wong in 2021, as he still faces tough competition from NL Central foes Lowe and Brice Turang .
Doing his part defensively as well, Michael McGreevy definitely doesn't rely solely on his teammates behind him when pitching. The 6-4 right-hander tied for the league lead in defensive runs saved for pitchers (five) and Fielding Bible's runs saved above average metric (three). He also only committed one error in 168 2/3 innings. But McGreevy's biggest claim to fame might be his ability to control the running game. Only four baserunners attempted to steal off him in 2026. Although three of them swiped a bag safely, many players don't dare to try McGreevy with his extremely quick motion from the stretch. But that's always been part of his game.
Sep 25, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Only two runners tried McGreevy in 2025, and they were both caught. No runner tested him in his 23 MLB innings in 2024. In 104 minor league games, McGreevy allowed only 12 steals in 26 attempts. And over his 49 games in three years at UC Santa Barbara, he surrendered just four steals on nine attempts. That's 19 steals on 47 attempts since he graduated high school, unheard-of volume and efficiency against a righty pitcher. All around, McGreevy is a leading representative in 'pitchers being athletes'. He looks to beat out rookie Nolan McLean and veteran Chris Sale to become the first Cardinals starting pitcher to win a Gold Glove since Adam Wainwright in 2013.
As aforementioned, Winn, Wetherholt, and McGreevy aren't the only Cardinals deserving of defensive recognition. Alec Burleson was as good as it gets when receiving throws in his first full season at first base. Historically, St. Louis is at its best when it plays pristine defense, and multiple Gold Gloves would be a stronger sign that brighter times are ahead for the franchise. All three finalists have strong chances to win at their positions, as leaders of the Cardinals' elite 2026 defense.
Main Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
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