Undoubtedly, the strength of the Cardinals’ defense this past season was the middle-infield play of second baseman JJ Wetherholt and shortstop Masyn Winn, both of whom are favorites to win Gold Glove awards at their respective positions.

The sure-handed play of Wetherholt and Winn helped the Cardinals rank third in MLB in two key defensive metrics that gauge the difference-making abilities of a defense. The Cardinals were credited with 38 Outs Above Average and 28 Runs Prevented -- both good for third in MLB in 2026.

The rival Cubs, sparked by the stellar two-way play of likely National League Most Valuable Player Pete Crow-Armstrong, were far and away MLB’s best defensive team with 73 Outs Above Average and 60 Runs Prevented. The Dbacks ranked second in MLB in both defensive metrics, posting 44 Outs Above Average and 36 Runs Prevented.

Making his MLB debut as the Cardinals Opening Day starter at second base, Wetherholt set franchise records in Outs Above Average (25) and Runs Prevented (19), since the defensive metrics were created in 2016. Wetherholt, who was regularly rested down the stretch because of tendinitis in his right wrist, finished second to Crow-Armstrong in Outs Above Average (26) and Runs Prevented (23).

Wetherholt, 23, could become just the second rookie in the storied history of the Cardinals to win a Gold Glove. Brendan Donovan, who was traded by the Cardinals to the Mariners back in February, won a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2022 when Rawlings first handed out a Gold Glove award to a utility fielder.  

Wetherholt broke the Cardinal defensive records set by Winn in 2025 when he won the first of what some believe will be several Gold Glove awards. Winn, who had 21 Outs Above Average in 2025, led all National League shortstops in Outs Above Average in 2026 with 19.

Here is where other Cardinals defenders ranked in 2026 in Outs Above Average among other National League defenders:

In his first full season at first base in the big leagues, Alec Burleson had a zero Outs Above Average. That number doesn’t take into account Burleson’s plus-8 “receiving” rating, which was first in MLB among all first basemen. Burleson’s zero Outs Above Average was No. 7 in the NL, well behind MLB leader Matt Olson (12).

Wetherholt not only led all second basemen in Outs Above Average, but his total was well ahead of the next closest defender – Pittsburgh’s Brandon Lowe (15).

Winn’s 19 Outs Above Average led all NL shortstops for a second straight season. Winn, who played through a fractured left thumb much of the last six weeks of the season, came on strong late to edge out Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo (16 OAA) and Cubs’ shortstop Dansby Swanson (16 OAA). Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. led all shortstops in OAA with 24.

The Cardinals had doubts as to whether rookie Blaze Jordan could handle the demands of third base when he was promoted from Triple-A Memphis. However, Jordan played well there, committing just five errors. His season ended prematurely because of a high ankle sprain suffered while making one of his best defensive plays of the season. His 1 Out Above Average ranked 10th in the NL, well behind Manny Machado’s 10 OAA.

Lars Nootbaar, who was traded to Arizona on Aug. 3, was the only Cards’ left fielder with a positive OAA rating (plus-1). Bryan Torres (zero OAA) broke even, while rookie Joshua Baez (minus-2) struggled in his five weeks in left field.

Victor Scott II (plus-three) was the starter in center early in the season, while Nathan Church (plus-three) took over the job in June and never surrendered it.

As he did in many areas of the game, Jordan Walker showed tremendous progress with his defense in 2026. Walker was among MLB’s leaders in outfield assists with nine. However, the throwing numbers didn’t greatly changed his Outs Above Average rating of minus-eight, which ranked 16th among NL right fielders.