Rookie outfielder is a defensive weapon

St. Louis Cardinals rookie outfielder Michael Siani is proving to be a defensive weapon for the team. Siani was given the opportunity to play despite injuries and underperformance from the team's other outfielders. He made himself indispensable to the team thanks to his defensive play.

Cardinals rookie outfielder is a defensive weapon

“He’s been unbelievable in center, one of the best center fielders in the game right now,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said after the team’s win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday. “His first step is unbelievable; he’s saved us a lot of times.”

Best defensive outfielder according to advanced statistics

Siani is a league leader in this area, picking an advanced stat. He is tied with Washington's Jacob Young for first place in the league in fielding run value, with 10. He is tied with Texas' Marcus Semien for first place in the league in strikeouts. -above average, with 12. Siani also has the highest outfielder catch probability in MLB according to Baseball Savant.

“The actions that impress me the most are those where he is a few centimeters from the ground. Because once the ball gets to that level, it disappears from view,” Cardinals outfielder Tommy Edman said Thursday. “So being able to know where the ball is going when it's that close to the ground is really impressive. »

#STLCards CF Michael Siani did it again with another sliding capture of a sinking cruise ship.

Statcast Metrics:

Exit Velocity: 104.8 mph
Sprint speed: 24.2 feet/second
Distance traveled: 49 feet
Opportunity time: 3.3 SEC
Probability of capture: 10 percent pic.twitter.com/fdIPZnYn1K

— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 26, 2024

Seeming to specialize in dazzling diving catches, Siani's defensive play allowed the Cardinals to maintain the advantage and stay in the game at times.

“We played really good baseball,” Siani said after the Cardinals’ win over the Braves. “So it’s nice to be able to contribute in that way in the outfield.” I want to keep doing it and stay aggressive on the pitch. »

Take a good jump

Siani has the fourth-best outfield jump in baseball at 3.3 feet above average in the first three seconds. It's a skill that gives him the chance to make difficult catches. It’s also the one he works on every day.

“I do jump shots during batting practice,” Siani said this week. “Not necessarily chasing balls and running all over the field for that, but just working on those first three to five steps. Some tough breaks, making sure my direction is correct and I'm in a good position to go for the balls when the game starts.

Michael Siani goes FULL EXPANSION! pic.twitter.com/kaB6mfIQe4

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 24, 2024

Siani covers an average of 37.6 feet during her jumps. That's the fifth-best gross number in baseball. It's something his teammates have noticed.

“He has very good jumps and very good reads. It seems like he always runs as soon as the ball is hit,” Edman said. “So it was fun to watch, I learned a thing or two from watching it. »

A step forward for the cardinals

The Cardinals began the season with all of their scheduled starting outfielders on the injured list. Lars Nootbaar missed further time, Dylan Carlson has struggled since returning to the team and Edman has yet to play this season.

The situation on the field has gotten even more complicated this season after a slow start forced the team to send Jordan Walker to Triple-A. The former top prospect has yet to return to the team after nearly two months in the minors.

THE #CardsSTLC have stuck to their mantra of being better defensively, and that's exactly why Michael Siani is their starting CF. Statcast metrics on this catch:

Starting depth: 329 feet
Distance traveled: 101 feet
Spring Rate: 29.1 FT/SEC
Catch probability: 65%
Hang time: 5.4 seconds pic.twitter.com/vKqwTN3LYh

— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) April 27, 2024

Siani is one of the best center fielders in baseball. He provides security for the team on the field. However, he is not known for his hitting. Over the last month, that has changed. His batting line over the season is .234/.274/.323. Over the last month, he has improved, with a .270/.277/.397 batting line over the last 30 days.

“I think it’s just a matter of getting better at-bats,” Siani said this week. “I’m going out there with a plan and sticking to it. I’m putting in a lot of work in the cages and making sure I’m where I want to be with my swing and my approach. I’m just continuing to do that and develop.”

Nootbaar is about to go on a rehabilitation mission and Edman has returned to baseball activities. However, even when fully healthy, Siani has earned a spot as a key player on the playoff-contending Cardinals.

Main photo credits: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports