Ranking the 13 Cardinals who made their debuts in 2026

It is one thing to say you are embracing a youth movement and another thing to have 13 different players make their MLB debut for your team in a single season. That’s what the Cardinals did in 2026. A truly stunning 13 different guys took their first MLB plate appearance or threw their first MLB pitch in a St. Louis uniform.

That says something about this year, but it says even more about the future. Some of the players may just be passing through, but most of them are in the plans for this franchise for years to come. So, to reflect back on the season we just had while still glancing into the future, here is a list of the 13 Cardinals who made their MLB debuts this year, ranked by how secure their places are with the Cardinals moving forward.

1. JJ Wetherholt, 2B
139 G, .704 OPS, 17 HR, 14 SB, 4.5 WAR

Wetherholt probably isn’t going to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award, though he still has a chance. (The vote for that award will be a fascinating one.) Either way, though, the Cardinals are thrilled with the season he had. He locked down the leadoff spot all season, he had several clutch moments, he played second base as well as anyone in the sport and he established himself -- already -- as a foundational piece and a leader for this franchise for years to come. He signed an extension that will keep him in St. Louis through at least 2034. He’ll be at the center of everything the Cardinals are doing for years.

2. Leo Bernal, C
24 G, .807 OPS, .333 OBP

Bernal didn’t get called up until Sept. 1, but it already feels like he has been in St. Louis forever, doesn’t it? Bernal looked entirely comfortable the second he put on a Cardinals uniform, both at the plate and behind it. Cardinals pitchers love him, he hits with confidence batting from both sides of the plate and he already seems to have the endorsement of Yadier Molina. The Cardinals are an organization that has been defined, in many ways, by its catchers. Bernal looks like the next great one.

3. Joshua Báez, OF
29 G, 7 HR, .788 OPS

You may vaguely remember Báez’s first game: He did something no player had ever done in the history of baseball. It was very exciting. After that, Báez didn’t get a hit for nearly a week, but that didn’t scare anyone with the Cardinals: They always knew he had a lot of swing-and-miss in his game. What they wanted to see was him adjusting, and that’s exactly what he did, getting back on track before an oblique injury ended his season. His spot is not as secure in left field as Wetherholt’s at second and Bernal’s at catcher. But it’s close.

4. Quinn Mathews, LHP
9 GS, 3.83 ERA, 49 1/3 IP, 46 K's

Mathews was one of the most highly regarded prospects in the Cardinals' system before struggling in 2025, but he returned enough to his previous form to get a callup on Aug. 1. He battled control issues early, but -- and this is a pattern -- he improved as the season went along and even showed some ability to give the team length, pitching six innings or more in three straight September starts. The Cardinals’ rotation for 2027 is unsettled, but you should expect Mathews to be a part of it.

5. Luis Gastelum, RHP
34 G, 4.42 ERA, 36 2/3 IP, 44 K's

Is this the next Cardinals closer? Gastelum had trouble finding consistency early on, including giving up some ugly homers, but when he found his rhythm and was able to rely on his world-class changeup, he made many outstanding hitters look extremely silly. The Cardinals love his stuff and do see him as a potential closer, but either way, he’s a valuable part of this bullpen in 2027 and for years to come.

6. Cooper Hjerpe, LHP
4 G, 4.38 ERA, 12 1/3 IP, 15 K's

The Cardinals’ first-round pick in 2022 finally reached the bigs in September after dealing with injuries as a prospect, and he looked magnificent at first, throwing four perfect innings in his debut. He scuffled a bit after that, but finished strong with 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his final game against the Pirates. He’ll be in the pitching mix next year, no question.

7. Blaze Jordan, 3B
58 G, .658 OPS, 3 HR

Jordan came over from Boston in the Steven Matz deal at the 2025 Trade Deadline, and he was excellent at Triple-A Memphis this year, hitting 11 homers with a .921 OPS in 57 games. He didn’t approach that production in St. Louis, but he was coming along until an ankle injury at the end of August ended his season. President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has said third base has a “long-term vacancy.” Jordan is a contender for the job in the short term, but he’ll need to improve a lot to be one for the long term.

8. Bryan Torres, IF/OF
74 G, .640 OPS

A career Minor Leaguer who finally made it the bigs at age 28 in 2026, Torres did so with a bang, homering in his debut in Cincinnati. He didn’t show that power much the rest of the way, but he’s a professional hitter with positional versatility that one suspects will come in handy.

9. Brycen Mautz, LHP
8 G, 5.87 ERA, 15 1/3 IP, 19 K's

Mautz has been a starter who has never quite popped in the Minors, but he’s someone the Cardinals still have some hope can figure things out. The rotation competition is going to get a lot more crowded soon, so 2027 may be Mautz’s best shot to establish himself in St. Louis.

10. Cade Winquest, RHP
11 G, 3.95 ERA, 13 2/3 IP, 16 K's

Winquest was one of the arms brought in late in the year to help fill in the innings gap, and he did that admirably. He’ll have a chance to do that again in 2027.

11. Hancel Rincon, RHP
3 G, 27.00 ERA, 2 1/3 innings, 3 K's

Rincon’s season will always be defined by Hatgate, but he only appeared in two games after his initial run-in with umpire Doug Eddings.

12. Max Rajcic, RHP
6 G, 5.00 ERA, 9 IP, 8 K's, 6 BB

Rajcic had Tommy John surgery in July and is currently on the 60-day injured list, so he won’t be a factor for the Cardinals until the second half of 2027 at the earliest.

13. Matt Pushard, RHP
6 G, 5.14 ERA, 7 IP, 6 K's

The Cardinals picked him in the Rule 5 Draft from the Marlins last offseason, but he only pitched briefly for St. Louis before he was designated for assignment and offered back to the Marlins, who kept him at Triple-A for the rest of the season.