Longtime ESPN MLB analyst Buster Olney is shocked that the Cardinals actually went through with their rebuilding plans and he is similarly stunned at how well this year's team is playing.
ST. LOUIS – While one national baseball analyst is still shocked to see the St. Louis Cardinals in full-on rebuild mode and not trying to win their 12th World Series crown, the veteran reporter has been impressed with the style of play the club has employed early this season.
Buster Olney, ESPN’s long-time sideline reporter for “Sunday Night Baseball” and a reporter who provided coverage of the Cardinals last two World Series wins in 2006 and ’11, is still surprised that the Cards stuck to their plans of using 2026 as a rebuilding season for a brighter future.
The Cardinals traded veterans Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan over the winter for a bevy of prospects to clear payroll and restock the farm system.
“First off, from 30,000 feet, it’s shocking that the Cardinals are in this position,” Olney said on the “Refuse to Lose” podcast before the Cardinals get ready to open up a new series with the Seattle Mariners. “Ten years ago, (the Cardinals) were one of those franchises that you knew every year they were going to compete for the division title, they might go deep into the postseason, and they had a daunting history and great player development. So, to see them in this full rebuild — which really started last year — is shocking.”
Despite the differing look of a Cardinals roster that features only one player – reliever Ryne Stanek – older than 30 years old, Olney has been impressed with a style of play that has featured aggressive base running, timely hitting and some rock-solid work from closer Riley O’Brien and standout setup man JoJo Romero. The Cardinals have also thrived defensively and in taking extra bases and they are 4-0 in extra-inning games and 11-1 in games decided by two runs or less.
“They have outplayed what people thought (they could be) and they have outplayed their talent,” Olney raved.
Olney likes what he sees from Wetherholt
Olney also had kind words for second baseman JJ Wetherholt, the top prospect in the organization since being selected No. 7 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. The rookie has hit just .218 thus far, but he’s fueled the offense from the leadoff spot with a .364 on-base percentage that has included 15 walks and six hit by pitches. Wetherholt, who has been among MLB’s leaders in defensive metrics all season at second base, has also added three homers and a walk-off winner in the second game of his young MLB career.
“JJ Wetherholt, their young infielder, has made a huge difference with his energy,” Olney gushed. “He’s a rookie who has a lot of presence and he seems like a guy who has a lot of fun. I was talking to his college coach recently at West Virginia (Steve Sabins) and he was telling me, ‘If you’re around this kid, your day is better.’ He’s one of those types of personalities — and if you’ve seen him interact with veterans on the team and Masyn Winn and others … they’re playing with energy and they’re kind of exciting.
“Now, should the Mariners go into this series feeling like there’s an opportunity? Absolutely, but don’t underestimate the energy that the Cardinals are playing with right now,” Olney added.
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