In an undeniable manner, the 2025 season for the Cardinals seems to not be playing out in ways Cardinals fans hoped; however, one bright spot has been the impact Thomas Saggese has made. With Nolan Arenado out on the injured list since August 1 with a right shoulder strain, Saggese has stepped up.

While offensive production may not be perfect, his defensive persona has been evident. His glove has proven his defensive versatility, playing shortstop, second, and third base, all while maintaining an above .900 fielding rate at every position. His presence on the field also demonstrates his calmness and consistency. In my eyes, I feel every time I’ve tuned into a game the last month, Saggese has made a significant play or gotten a clutch hit.

Regardless of the 2025 season’s stats, in his last 30 games Saggese has recorded 25 hits in his last 94 at-bats, maintaining a .266 average. On a Cardinals team struggling for offensive production, Saggese has definitely been a difference maker.

With the timeline of Arenado unclear, I think having Saggese get major league time and reps will have a positive impact on the team as a whole, and give Saggese the ability to prove himself as a player on a young and hungry Cardinals team.