Cardinals Make Coaching Changes Ahead of 2025 Season
The St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for a significant transition in their coaching staff as they announce the departure of hitting coach Turner Ward.
According to a report by Katie Woo in The Athletic, the team has opted not to renew Ward’s contract for the upcoming 2025 season.
Ward has been at the helm of the Cardinals’ offense for the past two years, a period marked by less-than-stellar performance.
During his tenure, the team’s offensive statistics have been lackluster. St. Louis ranked 21st in total runs scored with 1,391, 16th in on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) at .723, and 17th in weighted runs created plus (wRC+) with a score of 101.
While these figures are not completely disastrous, they fall short of the expectations for a franchise aiming for playoff contention.
It’s important to note that the entire blame for the offensive struggles cannot be placed solely on Ward’s shoulders.
Prior to taking over as hitting coach, he served as the assistant hitting coach in 2022, a year when the Cardinals boasted a robust offense.
They finished that season ranking 6th in runs scored with 772, 5th in OPS at .745, and 7th in wRC+ with a score of 112.
Nevertheless, the organization has decided to make a change, indicating a desire for new direction as they approach the next season.
As the Cardinals look to fill the vacancy left by Ward, assistant hitting coach Brandon Allen is expected to remain with the team.
However, whether he will be promoted or if the organization will look externally for a new hitting coach is still uncertain. Alongside these developments, game-planning coach Packy Elkins and first-base coach Stubby Clapp are set to return for the 2025 season.
Notably, assistant pitching coach Julio Rangel’s future remains unclear, as he has not been mentioned in the recent updates regarding the coaching staff.
Bench coach Daniel Descalso and pitching coach Dusty Blake have contracts that extend through 2025, while third-base coach Pop Warner is under contract until 2026. These decisions reflect a mix of continuity and change as the Cardinals aim to revamp their strategy and improve performance on the field.
Before his time with the Cardinals, Ward held various positions across multiple organizations, including the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Reds.
With his contract not renewed, he is now free to pursue opportunities elsewhere in the baseball world, potentially seeking a new role with another franchise.
As the Cardinals transition into the offseason, they face crucial decisions regarding their roster and coaching staff.
Fans are left wondering how these changes will shape the team’s approach heading into 2025, particularly given the high expectations associated with the franchise.
Ultimately, this coaching shift signifies a pivotal moment for the Cardinals as they aim to enhance their competitiveness in the league and make strides toward postseason success in the near future. The coming months will be critical in determining the direction of the team and the strategies they will employ moving forward.
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