St. Louis Cardinals Best Player Ranking in MLB RIVALS. See the lists of the strongest players for each Cardinals position and recommended batting orders.
Table of Contents
*The strongest ranking in this article consists of players other than HOF cards. If you obtain an HOF card, consider replacing the player in the corresponding position.
Strongest Player Quick View
Pitchers
| SP | RP | CP |
  B. Gibson ’68 |  J. Romero |  R. Helsley ’22 |
Flaherty, with his powerful breaking balls, boasts a performance that stands out. Helsley, the closer, also boasts outstanding pitching ability as a top-class CP.
Fielders
| C | 1B | 2B |
 T. Simmons ’77 |  K. Hernandez ’79 |  M. Carpenter ’13 |
| 3B | SS | LF |
 N. Arenado ’22 |  O. Smith ’87 |  R. Ludwick ’08 |
| CF | RF | DH |
 T. Pham |  R. Smith ’74 |  A. Burleson ’24 |
Build your lineup around Edmonds, who boasts extremely high power. Generate runs by getting a lot of hits with Hernandez and Carpenter, who have high contact.
Recommended Power Hitters
| Player | Power | H Zone | Launch Angle |
 J. Edmonds ’04 | 77 | 7 | 16° |
 R. Lankford ’97 | 71 | 9 | 16° |
 R. Ludwick ’08 | 74 | 6 | 21° |
The Cardinals have many power hitters like Edmonds. Not only can you use them in the heart of your lineup, but they can be especially effective in RRanked Slugger and RBI Battle.
Strongest Ranking (Pitchers)
| SP | RP | CP |
Starting Pitcher (SP)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| B. Gibson ’68 | - Top-class velocity - All 5 pitch types - All pitch types rank B or higher |
 J. Flaherty ’19 | - Overall high stats - All 5 pitch types - Three pitch types rank B or higher |
 S. Gray ’24 | - High breaking ball/control - All 5 pitch types - 4 pitch types are rank B |
 M. Mikolas | - Very high velocity - All 5 pitch types - 4 pitch types are rank B |
 L. Lynn ’14 | - Velocity, stamina, and fielding exceed 70 - All 5 pitch types - Two pitch types rank B or higher |
 M. Wacha ’15 | - Stamina and fielding exceed 70 - All 4 pitch types - All pitch types rank B or higher |
Relief Pitcher (RP)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| J. Romero | - High velocity - All 5 pitch types - 2 pitch types are rank B |
 J. Hicks ’18 | - Top-class pitch speed - All 4 pitch types - 2 pitch types are rank B |
 G. Cabrera ’21 | - High pitch speed of 75 - Control and stamina are below 60 - All 4 pitch types - Three pitch types rank B or higher |
 A. Pallante ’22 | - Relatively high pitch speed - All 5 pitch types - 2 pitch types are B rank |
 A. Kittredge ’24 | - Relatively high pitch speed - All 4 pitch types - 2 pitch types are B rank |
Closing Pitcher (CP)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 R. Helsley ’22 | - Very high pitch speed - All 4 pitch types - 3 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 J. Hicks | - Very high pitch speed - All 5 pitch types - 2 pitch types are rank B |
 J. Isringhausen ’02 | - Relatively high pitch speed - All 4 pitch types - All pitch types are rank B or higher |
Strongest Ranking (Fielders)
| C | 1B | 2B |
| 3B | SS | LF |
| CF | RF | DH |
*Due to player duplication, players with the same name may be selected for other positions.
Catcher (C)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| T. Simmons ’77 | - Very high eye - 6 hot zones - Average launch angle is 14° |
 E. Marrero ’02 | - Overall stats are slightly high - 5 hot zones - Average launch angle is high at 17° |
First Baseman (1B)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 K. Hernandez ’79 | - Very high contact/fielding - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
 P. Goldschmidt ’22 | - High batting performance - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is 15° |
 W. Clark ’00 | - Very high contact - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 15° |
Second Baseman (2B)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 M. Carpenter ’13 | - High batting performance - Baserunning and fielding exceed 70 - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
 B. Donovan | - High hitting performance - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is high at 13° |
 T. Edman ’22 | - Baserunning and fielding exceed 80 - Patience is slightly low at 55 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is low at 8° - Same player name as 3B, SS |
Third Baseman (3B)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| M. Carpenter ’13 | - High batting performance - Baserunning and fielding exceed 70 - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° - Same player name as 1B, 2B |
 N. Arenado ’22 | - Very high batting performance - Fielding is also high at 79 - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is very high at 21° |
 D. Allen ’70 | - High power - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 17° |
Shortstop (SS)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 O. Smith ’87 | - Very high eye/baserunning - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle 14° |
| T. Edman ’22 | - Baserunning and fielding exceed 80 - Patience is slightly low at 55 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is low at 8° - Same player name as 2B, 3B |
 P. DeJong | - High batting performance - 9 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
Left Fielder (LF)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 T. Pham ’17 | - High stats in all areas - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 6° |
 R. Ludwick ’08 | - High batting performance - Fielding is also high at 75 - 6 hot zones - Average launch angle is very high at 21° - Same player name as RF |
 T. O'Neill ’21 | - Power, contact, and fielding exceed 70 - Patience is slightly low at 55 - 6 hot zones - Average launch angle is high at 17° |
Center Fielder (CF)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 T. Pham | - Very high contact - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is 9° |
 J. Edmonds ’04 | - Power, contact, patience, and fielding exceed 70 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
 R. Lankford ’96 | - Very high baserunning/fielding - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
Right Fielder (RF)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 R. Smith ’74 | - High stats in all areas - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 13° |
| R. Ludwick ’08 | - High batting performance - Fielding is also high at 75 - 6 hot zones - Average launch angle is very high at 21° - Same player name as LF |
 J. Heyward ’15 | - Contact, eye, baserunning, and fielding exceed 70 - 3 hot zones - Average launch angle is very low at 4° - Same player name as CF |
Designated Hitter (DH)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| A. Burleson ’24 | - High eye - 5 hot zones - Average launch angle is 13° |
Positions to Strengthen with FA Contracts
Recommended to Strengthen Starting/Relief Pitchers
The Cardinals' fielders are deep in every position and can perform well enough without reinforcements. While their pitchers are also high-performing, adding pitchers from other teams as the 4th or 5th starter or as relief pitcher reserves will further strengthen the team.
Recommended Players for FA Trade
Starting Pitcher (SP)
| Player | Team/Features |
|---|---|
 G. Cole ’19 | Houston Astros - Breaking ball is top class at 90 - Very high control - All 5 pitch types - 4 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 C. Kershaw ’15 | Los Angeles Dodgers - Very high breaking ball/control, exceeding 80 - Excellent potential cap - All 5 pitch types - Has rank A 4FB/SLD |
 J. deGrom ’18 | New York Mets - High pitching performance in all areas - All 5 pitch types - 4 pitch types are rank B or higher - Has rank A 4FB/SLD |
Relief Pitcher (RP)
| Player | Team/Features |
|---|---|
 J. Hader ’18 | Milwaukee Brewers - Breaking ball is top class at 82 - All 4 pitch types - 2 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 J. Duran ’22 | Minnesota Twins - Pitch speed is top class at 88 - All 4 pitch types - 3 pitch types are rank B |
 R. Suarez ’21 | Philadelphia Phillies - High velocity at 73 - All 4 pitch types - All pitch types rank B or higher |
Cardinals' Characteristics
Cardinals Have Strong Pitching
The Cardinals' starters have many players with high OVR and well-balanced stats. Also, there are players with high deck scores for each position, and there is little duplication of player names. Furthermore, the high deck score and stats of the closer are excellent.
Many Players with High Batting Performance
The Cardinals' fielders have many players with high power, contact, and average launch angle. Since there are many players who can easily hit singles and home runs, it is recommended to further strengthen their batting performance through special training and training redistribution.
Cardinals' Strongest Batting Order
| Order | Player | Recommended Skills |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | T. Edman ’22 | - Leadoff - Table Setter One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 2 | M. Carpenter ’13 | - Leadoff - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 3 | N. Arenado ’22 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 4 | R. Ludwick ’08 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Lineup Anchor |
| 5 | J. Edmonds ’04 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 6 | P. Goldschmidt ’22 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 7 |  T. Pham ’17 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 8 | J. Heyward ’15 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 9 | E. Marrero ’02 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| Order | Player | Recommended Skills |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  E. Marrero ’02 | - Leadoff - Table Setter One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 2 |  T. Edman ’22 | - Leadoff - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 3 |  R. Ludwick ’08 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 4 |  J. Edmonds ’04 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Lineup Anchor |
| 5 |  M. Carpenter ’13 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 6 |  N. Arenado ’24 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 7 |  J. Gyorko ’17 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 8 |  L. Nootbaar ’24 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 9 |  N. Gorman ’24 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
Selection Criteria
Prioritizing Players with High Rarity
Rarity affects a player's initial stats and the increase in stats when trained. Therefore, the rankings above prioritize players with high rarity.
Players with High Stats Also Have High Priority for Lineup
Some players may have low stats even if their rarity is high. In particular, Impact players may have low initial stats, so replacing them with players with high stats or deck scores may increase the team's OVR.
LIVE/Season Players' Deck Scores Are Considered
The LIVE/Season players selected in the rankings above take into account their high deck scores. Deck Score is an important content for increasing the overall stats of the team. Therefore, it's acceptable to include players with high Deck Scores in the lineup even if their individual stats are slightly lower.
