The St. Louis Cardinals are coming off a 3-3 week. They started the week by winning two of three from the New York Mets, but ended it by losing two of three to the Minnesota Twins. The home runs were consistent for the Cardinals’ offense, with 14 long balls in six games. Unfortunately, Cardinals’ pitchers were consistent in giving up home runs, with 12 leaving the yard in six games. As we put a bow on this home run-filled week, it is time to take a look at the Cardinals’ standouts of the week.
Cardinals’ Standouts of the Week
Standout #3- Nathan Church
Nathan Church returned to the Cardinals this week after having not played since May 21st with an injury. Prior to his injury, Church had been getting the majority of the playing time in left field and had a strong start to the season. His return was welcomed, as the team was looking for additional production from the outfield due to Victor Scott II’s struggles.
Upon his return on Tuesday, Church became the team’s starting center fielder with Scott sent to the minor leagues. Church had a big game in his return, recording three hits and making a nice play in the outfield. He recorded another four hits through the remaining five games of the week.
Church is giving the Cardinals the production they were hoping for out of the ninth spot. Church does not have Scott’s speed, but his bat has been strong, and he holds his own defensively. He adds the stability that the bottom of the order lacked. Furthermore, if you can get on base, it sets up the top of the order to keep the line moving and put runs on the board.
It is no coincidence that the lineup averaged almost seven runs per game this week, when Church returned. He makes the lineup better, a clear candidate for this week’s Cardinals’ standouts installment.
Standout #2- Blaze Jordan
Blaze Jordan’s potential MLB debut has been a topic of discussion due to his red-hot season in the minors. The 2020 draft pick got the call on Friday, joining the Cardinals for their weekend series with the Twins. He made an immediate impact in the lineup, recording two hits and an RBI on Friday. On Saturday, Jordan recorded another two hits, including his first home run, a three-run shot in the team’s high-scoring win. He recorded another hit on Sunday.
From 500-foot homers at 13 years old to his first Major League homer 😮
Blaze Jordan has arrived 🔥 pic.twitter.com/J11IavvuMB
— MLB (@MLB) June 13, 2026
Jordan has a bright future in the MLB. He is providing the offense that the lineup has lacked from Nolan Gorman. The question that remains is what position he will regularly play. He was drafted as a first baseman but has been playing third base in the minors this season because the Cardinals have Alec Burleson at first in the big leagues. Jordan played third base in the first two games, but then played first base in the series finale with Burleson serving as the designated hitter. He will likely get the most of his time at third, but he does give Oliver Marmol the flexibility to move him when needed on a given day.
Standout #1- Alec Burleson
Speaking of Burleson, he tops this week’s Cardinals’ standouts after a great week. He hit a home run in every game but Saturday, including a few long home runs. Furthermore, he drove in eight runs over the week.
Burleson is having a great season. He currently has 13 home runs and 51 RBI. He is very close to passing last season’s totals already (18 home runs and 69 RBI). He is on pace to match or exceed his 2024 numbers. He and Jordan Walker, in the third and fourth spots, have created a strong duo in the Cardinals’ lineup. In addition, he has been decent on defense, which should make the Cardinals more comfortable with him in that position, but it also complicates things with Jordan. It is a good problem to have!
The Week Ahead
The Cardinals return to Busch Stadium for a brief, three-game home stand with the San Diego Padres. They will then hit the road for a brief, three-game road trip, where they will renew the I-70 Series with the Kansas City Royals.
Be sure to check in next Sunday to see the Cardinals’ standouts of the upcoming week. Between then and now, do not forget to vote to send our Cardinals to the All-Star Game!
Main Photo: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
