As the MLB All-Star Game approaches on July 15, five St. Louis Cardinals are showing strong fan support in the early voting updates. Brendan Donovan leads the pack, currently sitting in fourth place among National League second basemen. Despite his impressive performance leading the league in WAR and several batting metrics, he trails behind Ketel Marte, Tommy Edman, and Nico Hoerner, largely due to market size disparities.

Other Cardinals in the mix include Iván Herrera, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Masyn Winn, all of whom are in the top 10 for their respective positions. Donovan’s chances of moving forward in the voting hinge on closing the gap with Edman and Hoerner over the next voting rounds.

The St. Louis Cardinals have emerged as the premier defensive team in MLB for the 2025 season, boasting a staggering 28 Outs Above Average (OAA) through just 47 games. This not only leads the league but surpasses the second-best Houston Astros by a notable 10 outs. The Cardinals are also topping the charts in runs prevented with a total of 22.

It’s a collective effort with nine players on the roster contributing positively to the OAA metric. Notable performers include shortstop Masyn Winn, who leads the team and ties for third in the National League with an OAA of six, while Nolan Arenado and Victor Scott II follow closely with five each. Willson Contreras, after transitioning to first base, ranks second among NL first basemen in OAA, showcasing an impressive adjustment. Meanwhile, Jordan Walker has made significant strides in his outfield defense, moving from one of the worst defenders to a top contender among NL right fielders.

Week 8 in fantasy baseball has seen a surge in prospect promotions, with notable call-ups, including Jordan Lawlar and Zebby Matthews, alongside debuts from Moises Ballesteros, Dalton Rushing, and Mick Abel, who excelled with six shutout innings and nine strikeouts. The excitement continues as more significant prospects are on the brink of joining their MLB teams, offering potential fantasy impact as we approach mid-season.

The top prospects to stash for 2025 redraft leagues feature players like Roman Anthony from the Boston Red Sox, whose impressive stats, including a .322 AVG, make him a coveted asset. Meanwhile, Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs is showcasing a strong power/speed combo in Triple-A, indicating he could provide significant value if recalled soon. Other prospects, such as Jac Caglianone and Marcelo Mayer, are also gaining attention, making them attractive options for fantasy managers looking to strengthen their rosters in anticipation of upcoming promotions.

The St. Louis Cardinals have found their shortstop for the future in Masyn Winn, who has impressed during the early stages of his MLB career. With club control extending through the 2029 season, speculation about a potential contract extension is already brewing. ESPN's Jeff Passan highlighted Winn as a strong candidate for a lucrative megadeal, potentially exceeding $100 million, thanks to his defensive prowess and a promising offensive upside.

Winn, a defense-first shortstop, recorded 14 defensive runs saved in 2024, earning him Gold Glove consideration. His batting performance has also shown promise, slashing .267/.314/.416 with 15 home runs during his rookie year. After a slow start to the 2025 season, Winn has rebounded well post-injury, hitting .311/.373/.578 with two home runs since returning. The Cardinals may face tough decisions ahead, especially as other young stars, like Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan, are also approaching free agency, while the organization has been historically cautious with big contracts.

Identifying trends in player performance can be vital in fantasy baseball, and this week's analysis covers several noteworthy shifts across MLB teams. The Atlanta Braves have seen Eli White thrive recently, hitting .462 with a solid OPS, though his long-term viability remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Sean Murphy's playing time has fluctuated, indicating a potential timeshare at catcher with Drake Baldwin.

The Miami Marlins have relied on Eric Wagaman and Javier Sanoja to fill gaps in the lineup due to injuries, but their offensive production has been inconsistent. The Philadelphia Phillies are navigating their outfield dynamics with Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh seeing varied playing time against left-handed pitchers, while Alec Bohm's struggles persist as he finds himself batting eighth.

In Washington, Jose Tena's rise in playing time coincides with Amed Rosario's injury. For the Chicago Cubs, Dansby Swanson's drop in the batting order has led to increased production, while Tyler Stephenson's return from injury could signal a shift in the catching landscape for the Cincinnati Reds. The Milwaukee Brewers and other teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres also show evidence of lineup shifts that fantasy managers should monitor closely.