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It’s awards season, and while the Cardinals’ 2026 campaign was an unconventional one by their standards -- one that focused on young players with designs on the future -- it’s still one that featured its fair share of awards candidates.
So before we reach November, here is a look at the Cardinals’ top awards candidates.
Gold Glove Awards
Winners announced Sunday
The Cardinals have three finalists: second baseman JJ Wetherholt, shortstop Masyn Winn and pitcher Michael McGreevy.
McGreevy was a surprise contender, but he shouldn’t have been. The Cardinals raved about his defensive ability all year, and his glove is seen as a real contributing factor to his success on the mound, which included a roughly league-average 3.95 ERA despite a strikeout rate that ranked in just the ninth percentile. McGreevy’s 5 Defensive Runs Saved put him in a tie for second among all pitchers behind, oddly, Braves reliever Brent Suter. McGreevy would be an unlikely winner, though, if just because of name recognition: His competitors are the Braves’ Chris Sale and the Mets’ Nolan McLean.
Wetherholt and Winn as finalists were much less surprising. Winn won a Gold Glove in 2025, and he was first among National League shortstops again in DRS and Statcast’s Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2026. Winn is up against the Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo and the Cubs’ Dansby Swanson, and he’s probably the favorite to win it again. If so, he’ll only have … 11 to go to catch Ozzie Smith.
Wetherholt might be even more deserving. He was in the 100th percentile in OAA and Statcast’s fielding run value, and some metrics had him as the best defender in baseball. One of those metrics, however, is not DRS, where he’s tied for second among NL second basemen, behind the Brewers’ Brice Turang, one of his competitors for this award (along with the Pirates’ Brandon Lowe). Turang has already won one Gold Glove, and, considering his importance to the Brewers’ success this year, one might consider him the favorite to do it again. If Wetherholt wins this, there’s no question it will be the first of many.
Rookie of the Year Award
Finalists announced Monday, winners Nov. 9
For most of the year, Wetherholt was considered the favorite for this award, but his bat faded down the stretch, including a .307 OBP after the All-Star break. That allowed the Reds’ Sal Stewart and the Mets’ McLean and Carson Benge to gain on him and, arguably, pass him.
Still, there’s a great statistical case to be made for Wetherholt. Along with the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong, he might have been the best defensive player in the sport this year (at least by Outs Above Average). Wetherholt’s WAR lead over Stewart is dramatic: 4.6 to 2.0, according to FanGraphs. Wetherholt’s offensive numbers were suppressed by his home park, while Stewart’s, fair to say, were not. Stewart’s baseball-card numbers might end up earning him the nod, but even with the second-half fade, it’s hard to argue Wetherholt doesn’t deserve serious consideration.
Reliever of the Year Award
Finalists announced Monday, winners Nov. 11
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America added the award this year to go along with Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young and MVP. Riley O'Brien could be in the mix for at least some down-ballot votes after tying the Padres’ Mason Miller for the NL lead with 38 saves. However, O’Brien’s second-half struggles (5.11 ERA, six losses, four blown saves) mean he likely won’t challenge Miller (1.67 ERA) for the award.
All-MLB Team
Winners announced Nov. 11
The Cardinals have three finalists for the All-MLB Team, which awards first- and second-team winners. They are: Alec Burleson at first base, Wetherholt at second base and Jordan Walker in the outfield. Each would be a first-time honoree.
None of St. Louis' finalists is a favorite at his position, and competition is especially tough at first base and outfield. Wetherholt might have more of an opening at second base, despite his tough finish to the season. The rookie ranked third among second basemen in fWAR, behind only Turang and Lowe, notching 17 homers, 14 steals and 89 runs scored to complement his elite defense.
Silver Slugger Awards
Finalists announced Nov. 5, winners Nov. 17
The Cardinals’ best chance to win a Silver Slugger Award in 2026 likely comes via a player who has already won one. Burleson won a 2025 Silver Slugger Award as a utility player, but he’d be a candidate at first base this time, after having an even better year in ‘26.
Burleson has much tougher competitors at that position -- Atlanta's Matt Olson, San Francisco's Rafael Devers, Philadelphia's Bryce Harper and Milwaukee's Jake Bauers among them -- and he was only sixth in OPS among NL first basemen (.816). But Burleson led the National League in RBIs with 116. It’s an uphill climb, but he’s absolutely in the conversation.
It’s worth keeping an eye on Walker, too. Walker’s second-half fade works against him -- he had a .660 OPS after the All-Star break -- but the overall numbers are still impressive. The 24-year-old had a long-awaited breakout season, slugging .466 with a 124 OPS+, and he finished third among NL outfielders with 29 home runs. Walker's 102 RBIs ranked seventh among all MLB hitters, but in an NL outfield group that features the likes of Crow-Armstrong, the Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Nationals' James Wood, it’s hard to stand out.