The St. Louis Cardinals have made waves in the 2025 MLB season. After a tough 2024, the franchise has bounced back thanks to impressive changes in coaching and offensive strategy. Let’s dive into how the Cardinals turned things around and what this means for their future.

Brant Brown’s Arrival Sparks Change

A major reason for the St. Louis Cardinals' resurgence has been the arrival of new hitting coach Brant Brown. After parting ways with Turner Ward in late 2024, the Cardinals quickly hired Brown, who had previously coached with the Mariners and Marlins. Brown’s approach, focused on patience and smart swing decisions, has changed the way St. Louis bats. As detailed in Redbird Rants, the Cardinals’ offensive numbers drastically improved over previous seasons. Their batting average jumped to .262, and on-base percentage climbed to .338—both the best in four years.

Offensive Metrics Show Immediate Results

The numbers tell the story. In 2024, the Cardinals struggled to bring home runners and often failed in key moments. However, this year, St. Louis Cardinals players have excelled with runners in scoring position, posting a .271 average and a .344 on-base percentage—both among the league’s top ten.

Even more impressive, the team’s walk rate is top 10 in MLB, and their 85 doubles are second in the league. Line drives are coming more often, with a 21.3% clip that’s near the league lead. All of these stats represent a clear shift in philosophy.

For a more in-depth breakdown of how the new hitting coach shaped these improvements, Sports Illustrated highlights how Brant Brown not only brought a strong plan but also got players to believe in it. Cardinals hitters are now among the best in both contact rate and swing selection.

Team Chemistry and Player Development

The Cardinals’ offense isn’t just the result of a new face in the dugout. Team chemistry improved as players embraced the "get them on, get them over, get them in" motto. The focus is clearly on helping the team—not chasing individual stats.

Mark Sweeney at 101 ESPN discussed on air how the new approach has impacted not only stats, but player morale as well. Even as some, like Jordan Walker, face challenges at the plate, the collective effort has raised the team’s ceiling.

The Road Ahead for the St. Louis Cardinals

After missing the postseason in 2024, the St. Louis Cardinals have reestablished themselves as strong playoff contenders. The credit goes to leadership, coaching adjustments, and a renewed clubhouse culture. As the season unfolds, fans are hopeful that this new approach continues to deliver results and keeps St. Louis in the thick of the playoff race.

The turnaround in 2025 reminds everyone why the St. Louis Cardinals remain one of baseball’s most storied franchises. With a revitalized offense and a unified roster, the team is poised for another memorable run. Cardinals Nation has plenty of reasons to cheer this season.