Hubbry Logo
Nolan GormanNolan GormanMain
Open search
Nolan Gorman
Community hub
Nolan Gorman
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Nolan Gorman
Nolan Gorman
Nolan Gorman
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Nolan Brian Gorman (born May 10, 2000) is an American professional baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Key Information

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Gorman was drafted by the Cardinals out of high school in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. Gorman became one of the top prospects in baseball and played in their minor-league system before making his MLB debut and becoming part of their starting lineup in 2022.

Amateur career

[edit]

Gorman attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Phoenix.[1] He committed to play college baseball at the University of Arizona in August 2015.[2] In 2016, as a sophomore, he batted .490 with 11 home runs and 49 RBIs, and in 2017, as a junior, he batted .361 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs.[3] That July, he won in the MLB High School Home Run Derby in Miami, Florida.[4] Later that month, he played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game and won its home run derby.[5] In September 2017, he played for the USA Baseball 18U National Team, helping lead Team USA to its fourth consecutive gold medal.[6] In 2018, as a senior, Gorman slashed .421/.641/.894 with 10 home runs, helping lead O'Connor to a 6A baseball state championship.[7][8]

Professional career

[edit]

Minor leagues

[edit]

The St. Louis Cardinals picked Gorman in the first round, with the 19th overall selection, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[9] He signed with St. Louis for $3.231 million and was assigned to the Johnson City Cardinals of the Rookie Appalachian League.[10][11] He homered in the second at-bat of his first professional game.[12] During his stint in Johnson City, he was named an Appalachian League All-Star along with being named the league's Player of the Week for July 30 to August 5.[13] After batting .345/.440/.662 with 11 home runs and 28 RBIs in 37 games, he was promoted to the Peoria Chiefs of the Class A Midwest League in August.[14] He finished the season with Peoria, batting .202 with six home runs and 16 RBIs in 25 games.[15]

Gorman returned to Peoria to begin the 2019 season.[16] He was named the Midwest League's first Player of the Week for the season on April 15 after batting .395 with four home runs and 13 RBIs.[17] In June, he was named to the Midwest League All-Star Game, and competed in the Home Run Derby.[18][19] On June 19, he was promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League.[20] In July, he represented the Cardinals in the 2019 All-Star Futures Game alongside Dylan Carlson.[21] Over 125 games between Peoria and Palm Beach, Gorman slashed .248/.326/.439 with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs.[22]

After the Cardinals acquired All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado before the 2021 season, Gorman began practicing at second base after being a third baseman throughout his career.[23] To begin the 2021 season, Gorman was assigned to the Springfield Cardinals of the Double-A Central.[24] On June 12, 2021, in a game against the Arkansas Travelers, he became the first Springfield player to hit three home runs in a regular-season game.[25] After slashing .288/.354/.508 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs over 43 games, he was promoted to the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-A East in late June.[26] That same month, Gorman was selected to represent the Cardinals (alongside Matthew Liberatore) in his second All-Star Futures Game.[27] Over 76 games with Memphis, Gorman slashed .274/.320/.465 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs.[28] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Glendale Desert Dogs after the season where he was named to the Fall Stars Game.[29][30]

Major leagues

[edit]
Gorman playing second base for the Cardinals in 2023

Gorman returned to Memphis to begin the 2022 season.[31] After slashing .308/.367/.677 with 15 home runs and 23 RBIs in 34 games, the Cardinals announced on May 19 that they would be selecting his contract and promoting him to the major leagues to make his MLB debut the next day as the starting second baseman.[32][33] In his first at-bat, he singled against Zach Thompson of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and finished the night one-for-three with a walk.[34] On May 28, Gorman hit his first MLB home run versus Adrian Houser of the Milwaukee Brewers in an 8-3 win.[35] On June 21, against the Brewers, he had his first two–home run game.[36]

Gorman hit the second of a record-tying four consecutive home runs on July 2, 2022, the 11th such occurrence in major league history. At Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Nolan Arenado, Gorman, Juan Yepez and Dylan Carlson all homered off Phillies starter Kyle Gibson with two outs in the first inning. It was the first time the Cardinals had accomplished the feat, and the first time that it occurred in the first inning.[37] On September 19, the Cardinals optioned him to Memphis.[38] He remained there until the season's end, when he was then added to the Cardinals' roster for the Wild Card Series.[39] Over 89 games and 283 at-bats with St. Louis, he slashed .226/.300/.420 with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 13 doubles.[40]

Gorman started for the Cardinals on 2023 Opening Day as their designated hitter.[41] On May 22, 2023, Gorman was named the National League Player of the Week after batting .458 with four home runs and 11 RBIs.[42] Gorman appeared in 119 games for the Cardinals, batting .236 with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs.[43] He missed time during the season due to back injuries.[44]

Gorman opened the 2024 season as the Cardinals' starting second baseman. He was optioned to Memphis on August 21 after holding a MLB-worst 37.6% strikeout rate, and spent the remainder of the season there.[45] Over 107 games played with St. Louis, Gorman hit .203 with 19 home runs and fifty RBIs.[46]

Gorman opened the 2025 season with St. Louis before he was placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain.[47] He missed over a week before being activated.[48] In July, he was placed back on the injured list with back pain.[49] Gorman rehabbed with Springfield before returning to St. Louis.[50]

Personal life

[edit]

Gorman has been friends with fellow 2018 first round pick and Cardinals teammate Matthew Liberatore since they were five years old.[51] Gorman was the first player born in the year 2000 to be drafted by an MLB team.[52]

Gorman and his wife, Madison, married on December 31, 2024 in Chandler, Arizona.[53]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Nolan Gorman

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Nolan Brian Gorman (born May 10, 2000) is an American professional baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals of (MLB). Selected by the Cardinals with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of High School in , Gorman bats left-handed and throws right-handed, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 225 pounds. He made his MLB debut on May 20, 2022, against the , recording a single in his first at-bat, and hit his first major league eight days later against the Milwaukee Brewers. Gorman, who was the first player born in the to be selected in the MLB Draft, quickly rose through the Cardinals' system as one of their top prospects, known for his power-hitting potential. In his debut season of 2022, he appeared in 89 games, batting .226 with 14 s and 35 RBIs, and notably hit the second in a record-tying streak of four consecutive homers by Cardinals players on against the Philadelphia Phillies—the 12th such occurrence in MLB history. Over his career through the 2025 season, Gorman has played primarily at second base and third base, compiling a .218 , 74 home runs, 207 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases in 426 games, while showcasing strong exit velocities averaging 89.6 mph and a 41.1% hard-hit rate in 2025. Despite early promise as a power threat—hitting 27 home runs in 119 games during the 2023 season—Gorman has faced challenges with strikeouts and consistency at the plate, posting a .205 average with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs in 2025. His defensive versatility across the infield has been a key asset for the Cardinals, contributing to their lineup as a left-handed with above-average arm strength.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Nolan Gorman was born on May 10, 2000, in , becoming the first draftee born in the 2000s decade. His parents, Brian and Jennifer Gorman, provided strong support throughout his early development in , with the family rooted in the Phoenix area. The Gormans demonstrated their emotional investment during key milestones, such as Nolan's 2022 major league call-up, where family members expressed joy and surprise upon learning the news through before attending his debut. Growing up in Phoenix, Gorman developed an early interest in through participation in local youth leagues, starting with coach-pitch teams around age five. His upbringing in this baseball-rich environment in fostered a natural passion for the sport, influenced by family encouragement and community opportunities. A significant part of Gorman's childhood involved a close friendship with fellow prospect , whom he met at age five while playing on the same neighborhood coach-pitch team. The two grew up together in Phoenix, sharing experiences in travel baseball and elite youth programs, which strengthened their bond and mutual dedication to the game. This early camaraderie in Arizona's local leagues laid the foundation for Gorman's progression into organized high school baseball.

High school career

Nolan Gorman attended High School in , graduating in 2018 after playing from 2014 to 2018. Over his high school career, he batted .419 (116-for-277) with 32 home runs, 118 RBI, and 115 runs scored, emerging as a premier power-hitting ranked No. 5 nationally in the class of 2018 by Perfect Game. In his senior season, Gorman hit .421 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI while drawing 46 walks, leading the Sandra Day O'Connor Eagles to the 6A state championship. His performance earned him recognition as the 2018 MaxPreps National High School Baseball Player of the Year. Gorman showcased his skills in elite amateur events, including the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic, where he went 2-for-3 with three RBI to secure MVP honors. Earlier that year, he hit 14 home runs to advance to the final and won the MLB High School at Marlins Park. In August 2015, Gorman verbally committed to the , but strong draft projections led him to forgo college after his senior year.

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

The St. Louis Cardinals selected infielder Nolan Gorman in the first round, 19th overall, of the out of High School in . He signed with the organization shortly thereafter for a $3,231,700 bonus, matching the full slot value for his draft position, and received his initial professional assignment to the Rookie-level Johnson City Cardinals of the . Gorman appeared in 38 games that season, posting a .286/.380/.570 slash line with 10 home runs. In 2019, Gorman advanced to full-season ball, splitting time between the Class A of the and the High-A of the , where he batted .248/.326/.439 with 15 home runs over 125 games. During this campaign, he began transitioning from his primary position of third base to second base to accommodate organizational needs. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the , halting Gorman's development after just one full professional year. Gorman returned in 2021 with a breakout performance, slashing .279/.333/.481 with 25 home runs in 119 games while progressing through the system from Palm Beach to Double-A Springfield and earning a midseason promotion to Triple-A . His power output led the Cardinals' organization in that year. Entering 2022, he continued at Triple-A Memphis, hitting .275/.330/.585 with 16 home runs in 43 games before receiving his major league call-up in May. Over his full career spanning 2018 to 2022, Gorman maintained a .267 with 81 home runs and 227 RBI in 379 games. He encountered notable challenges, including a rate exceeding 30% in several seasons—such as 31.7% at Palm Beach in 2019—and required ongoing defensive refinements at second base following his positional shift.

Major leagues

Nolan Gorman made his Major League Baseball debut on May 20, 2022, for the St. Louis Cardinals against the at , where he recorded a single in his first at-bat for his first career hit. He hit his first MLB on May 28, 2022, against the Milwaukee Brewers, a 449-foot solo shot off in the first inning. In the 2022 season, Gorman appeared in 89 games for the Cardinals, primarily at second base and third base, posting a .226/.300/.420 slash line with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 103 strikeouts in 283 at-bats. His contributions helped the Cardinals secure the division title and a playoff spot, where he went 1-for-1 with 1 RBI in the Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Gorman's 2023 campaign marked a breakout year offensively, as he played 119 games, mainly at second base, and set a career high with 27 home runs while slashing .236/.328/.478 with 76 RBIs and 148 strikeouts in 406 at-bats. Despite the Cardinals finishing third in the NL Central and missing the , his power output established him as a key middle-of-the-order bat. During the 2024 season, Gorman saw 107 games split between second base, third base, and roles, but struggled with consistency, batting .203/.271/.400 with 19 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 151 strikeouts in 365 at-bats, leading to occasional bench stints and usage against left-handed pitchers due to his left-handed swing. In 2025, Gorman played 111 games primarily at second base and third base for the Cardinals, who again missed the postseason, recording a .205/.296/.370 slash line with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs in 351 at-bats along with 136 strikeouts. He was placed on the 10-day on July 19 with lower back pain, his second such injury after a right strain earlier in April that sidelined him briefly; he began a rehab assignment with the Double-A on July 29. Through the 2025 season, Gorman's overall MLB career totals with the Cardinals stood at 426 games, a .218/.299/.418 slash line, 74 home runs, 207 RBIs, and 538 strikeouts in 1,405 at-bats, reflecting his evolution from a promising infield prospect to a power-hitting starter with ongoing challenges in plate discipline and durability.

Playing style and recognition

Playing style

Nolan Gorman is a left-handed batter and right-handed thrower with a sturdy 6-foot-0-inch, 225-pound frame that lends itself to power production at the plate. His physical profile supports a power-hitting approach, evidenced by his 2025 average exit velocity of 89.6 mph, a 9.1% barrel rate, and a 41.1% hard-hit rate, metrics that highlight his ability to generate impactful contact. Gorman's swing features a pull-heavy approach, with pull rates typically in the 40% range, complemented by an path that promotes a fly-ball tendency and optimal launch angles for production. This mechanic contributed to a career-high fly-ball rate in 2025, allowing him to capitalize on his natural lift. Following the 2022 season, he made adjustments to enhance plate discipline, reducing his chase rate on breaking balls from 38.2% in 2022 to lower levels in 2023 and beyond and improving contact rates both in and out of the zone. Despite these refinements, Gorman maintains an elevated career strikeout rate of approximately 30%, stemming from challenges with off-speed pitches and a tendency to chase pitches outside the zone, particularly high fastballs. In 2025, his of .292 slightly trailed his expected wOBA of .295, underscoring minor underperformance relative to quality of contact. Defensively, Gorman began his career at third base before converting to second base during his minor league tenure in 2021 to increase his versatility and path to the majors. He possesses adequate range at both infield positions but was error-prone in his early professional years; by 2025, his glove work had improved, though he still recorded six errors and a -3 at third base. On the bases, Gorman exhibits average speed, with a career sprint speed around league norms, and has accumulated just 15 stolen bases over his major league tenure, reflecting a low emphasis on baserunning aggression.

Awards and honors

During his high school career at High School in , Nolan Gorman earned multiple prestigious accolades. He was named the MaxPreps National High School Baseball Player of the Year in 2018, recognizing his standout performance as the top player in the nation. Additionally, he received the Arizona Coaches Association All-State Hitter of the Year award, the state's highest honor for high school hitters that year. Gorman was also selected as a first-team All-American by multiple outlets, including MaxPreps and , highlighting his elite status among national prospects. His exceptional power hitting was a key factor in earning these national recognitions. On the international stage, Gorman contributed to Team USA's success at the 2017 in , , where the squad won the gold medal with an undefeated record. He served as the starting for the 18U national team, helping secure the ' fourth consecutive title in the tournament. In the , Gorman's performances led to several weekly and monthly honors. While with the Double-A in the (later reclassified as Double-A Central), he was named Player of the Week on multiple occasions in 2021, including for the week of June 7-13. Later, after promotion to Triple-A in the , he earned Player of the Month honors for April 2022, leading the league in home runs and total bases during that period. Upon debuting in with the Cardinals in 2022, Gorman emerged as a candidate for National League Rookie of the Month, though he did not win the award. That year, he was ranked No. 33 on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list entering the season, underscoring his status as one of the top young talents in . Other notable honors include selection as a Perfect Game All-American in 2018, where he was part of the preseason national team and participated in the Perfect Game All-American Classic. In 2021, Gorman represented the Cardinals in the , recording an RBI double in the showcase event featuring top prospects.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/nolan-gorman-669357
  2. https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-select-nolan-gorman-in-2018-draft-c279780504
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gormano01.shtml
  4. https://www.mlb.com/news/nolan-gorman-singles-in-mlb-debut-cards-beat-pirates
  5. https://www.mlb.com/news/nolan-gorman-hits-first-major-league-home-run
  6. https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/player/nolan-gorman-93180
  7. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/nolan-gorman-669357
  8. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/41174/nolan-gorman
  9. https://www.mlb.com/news/nolan-gorman-guide
  10. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/959364/2019/05/02/story-of-nolan-gorman-fastest-tracked-cardinals-prospect-since-albert-pujols/
  11. https://www.mlb.com/news/matthew-liberatore-nolan-gorman-friendship
  12. https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/video/gorman-family-on-nolan-s-debut
  13. https://www.mlb.com/news/nolan-gorman-matthew-liberatore-reunited
  14. https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/06/12/best-friends-matthew-liberatore-nolan-gorman-sign-mlb-contracts/696493002/
  15. https://www.perfectgame.org/rankings/Players/NationalRankings.aspx?gyear=2018
  16. https://www.usatodayhss.com/2018/all-usa-baseball-first-team-nolan-gorman-sandra-day-oconnor
  17. https://www.maxpreps.com/news/zjixbj6u2ES5p40FRl8u9A/maxpreps-national-high-school-baseball-player-of-the-year-nolan-gorman.htm
  18. https://www.usatodayhss.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/08/14/perfect-game-all-american-classic-nolan-gorman-turning-confidence-into-success/76901976007/
  19. https://www.usatodayhss.com/2017/nolan-gorman-noah-naylor-advance-to-high-school-home-run-derby-final
  20. https://www.mlb.com/news/noah-naylor-nolan-gorman-win-high-school-hrd-c241359264
  21. https://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=378823
  22. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/cardinals-select-third-baseman-nolan-gorman-in-the-first-round-of-2018-279847212
  23. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/cardinals-agree-to-terms-with-first-rounder-nolan-gorman.html
  24. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gorman000nol
  25. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/7367-nolan-gorman/
  26. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/p-5d335b7c
  27. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2022.shtml
  28. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2023.shtml
  29. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2024.shtml
  30. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2025.shtml
  31. https://www.mlb.com/news/nolan-gorman-placed-on-10-day-injured-list-back-pain
  32. https://the-worst-blog-in-baseball.com/2024/08/04/how-do-you-solve-a-problem-like-gorman/
  33. https://redbirdrants.com/what-s-behind-nolan-gorman-s-resurgent-season-and-how-it-affects-cardinals-plans
  34. https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2023/6/25/23771210/whats-up-with-nolan-gorman
  35. https://www.mlb.com/video/gorman-s-hitting-adjustments
  36. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/nolan-gorman-balanced-bludgeoner/
  37. https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player/nolan-gorman-15410
  38. https://www.mlb.com/news/nolan-gorman-working-hard-on-move-second-base
  39. https://www.si.com/mlb/cardinals/onsi/st-louis-cardinals-news/cardinals-nolan-gorman-reveals-thoughts-on-third-base-return-curt9
  40. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6596746/2025/09/04/cardinals-nolan-gorman-offense-defense-athletics/
  41. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/nolan-gorman/22263/stats?position=2B
  42. https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/nolan-gorman-stolen-bases-stats-career
  43. https://www.maxpreps.com/news/RQlRCdsLMU6XWKgPsScEmA/2018-maxpreps-high-school-baseball-all-american-teams.htm
  44. https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/07/03/nolan-gorman-named-national-high-school-baseball-player-year/757065002/
  45. https://www.usabaseball.com/news/usa-baseball-announces-18u-national-team-250427716
  46. https://www.milb.com/news/gorman-named-double-a-central-player-of-the-week
  47. https://www.milb.com/news/milb-announces-april-players-and-pitchers-of-the-month
  48. https://www.mlb.com/news/rookie-of-the-year-candidates-2022
  49. https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-top-30-prospects-list-2022-preseason
  50. https://www.perfectgame.org/all_americans/Default.aspx?Year=2018
  51. https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-futures-game-rosters
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.