Deer: The Infamous Reference for High Strikeout Rates
For years, one name has been synonymous with excessive home runs and strikeouts in the world of baseball: Deer. And on Wednesday, the Cardinals’ own slugger proved why, with a staggering 37.8% strikeout rate. In fact, only two players in the entire history of baseball have ever had a higher single-season strikeout percentage. But before we judge too harshly, let’s take into account that both of these records were set during the unprecedented 60-game season of 2020. Minnesota’s Miguel Sano holds the top spot at 43.9%, followed by Seattle’s Evan White at 41.6%.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman Strikes Out at Record Rate in 2024 Season
In a game against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, St. Louis Cardinals’ second baseman Nolan Gorman (16) swung and missed in the 4th inning. This season, Gorman has been striking out at an unprecedented rate, even compared to notorious strikeout king Rob Deer.
According to statistics, Gorman’s strikeout rate of 37.8% is the highest in a full-length season in baseball history. The only two players with a higher single-season strikeout percentage were in the shortened 2020 season. This puts Gorman on track to potentially break the record for the highest strikeout percentage in a regular-length season, currently held by Baltimore’s Chris Davis at 37.2% in 2017.
Despite his struggles, Gorman, who is only 24 years old, still holds value as a left-handed power hitter. However, his performance this season has been disappointing, and he has been benched by manager Oliver Marmol for stretches in an effort to work through his issues.
Marmol has made adjustments to the lineup, including moving Brendan Donovan from the outfield to second base, to make room for the addition of Tommy Pham at the trade deadline. Gorman’s struggles have put him in the same category as veterans Paul Goldschmidt and Jordan Walker as the most disappointing players on the 2024 Cardinals roster.
When asked about Gorman’s performance, Marmol stated that he has been working on various adjustments to his swing and lower body, but there is no one specific issue to blame for his struggles. Despite the frustration, there is still hope that Gorman can turn things around and become a valuable player for the Cardinals in the future.
