Imagine a 23-year-old baseball phenom dominating the field so flawlessly that he clinches a prestigious Gold Glove award, becoming the youngest Cardinal ever to do so—but now, he's shifting gears to tackle the challenges of hitting with the same intensity. It's a story of dedication, setbacks, and soaring potential that might just redefine what it means to be a complete shortstop.
St. Louis is buzzing about Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn, who stormed to unprecedented defensive glory in the 2025 season. With only three errors all year and a glove so smooth it seemed almost effortless, paired with an arm that could launch rockets, Winn didn't just play the game—he mastered it. But here's where it gets controversial: To hit these dizzying heights, he had to dive headfirst into the grind of the everyday, the repetitive drills that most rookies might find soul-crushing. For a guy nicknamed Blaze and flashy enough to sport diamond-studded gear, embracing the mundane felt like a betrayal of his vibrant personality.
Winn's journey to this historic Gold Glove win—a feat that made him the 100th Cardinal in franchise history to earn one—was paved with countless ground-ball repetitions, a focus on mature, straightforward plays, and an unyielding commitment to becoming what he sees as the ultimate defensive shortstop. Think of it like this: While others chase highlight-reel acrobatics, Winn zeroed in on the basics, guided by his instructor José Oquendo. 'I joined the pros dreaming of pulling off those Derek Jeter-style dazzlers and flexing my arm strength,' Winn confessed. 'But Oquendo drilled it into me—stick to the fundamentals. That's where my defense was built.'
And the results? Winn slashed his errors from 18 the previous year to just three in 2025, a testament to those relentless fundamentals. For context, shortstop is one of baseball's toughest positions, demanding quick reflexes and pinpoint accuracy—yet Winn made the routine plays look routine and the spectacular ones even better. He credits this to always opting for the simple, smart decision on the field. 'I only committed three errors because I prioritized the basic fundamentals every time,' he explained. 'It's transformed me.'
But the season wasn't without its hurdles. Winn underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to fix meniscus damage, sidelining him after just 129 games due to persistent pain that ended his year early on September 12. From his offseason spot in South Florida, he's optimistic about a swift recovery. 'It turned out less severe than expected, so we're pushing ahead with rehab to get back to normal,' he said. 'I even started jogging this week. The workouts are brutal—tons of leg exercises that no one enjoys—but they're building a strong foundation for a full 162-game season. By Spring Training in early February, I should be at 100%.' And this is the part most people miss: Just a week post-surgery, that nagging pain vanished, proving sometimes the fear of injury looms larger than the reality.
Defensively, Winn was a nightmare for opposing batters in 2025, handling both the easy outs and the jaw-dropping saves with aplomb. When the Cardinals pulled him from action due to his knee, he led all of MLB in outs above average—a stat that measures how many more outs a fielder gets than expected—with 21, finishing the season fifth overall but still tops among National League shortstops. His three-error mark at shortstop tied legends like Cal Ripken Jr. in 1990 and Omar Vizquel in 2000, the lowest for any MLB shortstop in a single season. For perspective, AL Gold Glove winner Bobby Witt Jr. had 10 errors that year. It's a rare feat, blending skill, focus, and a bit of luck.
Now that his glove work is elite, Winn's turning his sights to offense, aiming to become a well-rounded star. He's training at a skills center with teammates Jordan Walker, Iván Herrera, and prospect JJ Wetherholt, searching for a swing that elevates his 2025 batting line: .253 average, .310 on-base percentage, .363 slugging, for a .673 OPS, with nine homers and 51 RBIs. While his strikeout rate was solid at 19.6% (top 21% in MLB), his exit velocity (88.3 mph, bottom 24%) and hard-hit rate (34.6%, bottom 16%) lagged, according to Baseball Savant data. 'My main goal this offseason is boosting my offense while keeping defense rock-solid,' Winn stated. 'I dipped in nearly every hitting category last year, but with a healthy season ahead, I'm aiming for a breakout.'
As the fifth-youngest shortstop ever to nab a Gold Glove, Winn faces the pressure to repeat it. Veterans like 10-time winner Nolan Arenado and four-time champ Paul Goldschmidt predict he'll collect several more. 'Arenado's 10 is insane,' Winn laughed, 'but with consistency, I could snag five, six, or seven myself.'
Yet, the big question lingers: Can Winn truly excel on both sides without one suffering? Some fans argue that chasing offense might dilute his defensive edge, sparking debates on player specialization versus versatility. But here's a controversial twist—what if focusing on fundamentals like Winn did could actually unlock even greater offensive potential? Is the 'boring' path the secret to becoming a legend, or should young stars prioritize flashier skills?
What do you think? Will Winn's blend of defense and newfound hitting prowess make him the next big thing, or does baseball demand specialization? Do you agree that embracing the basics beats chasing highlights, or is there room for both? Share your opinions in the comments—let's discuss!
