2025 Stats
AVG
.500
HR
0
RBI
1
R
1
SB
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
After a flexor tendon issue limited him to just 95 games in 2023, Donovan stayed healthy in 2024, reaching career highs in games (153) and plate appearances (652). That helped lead to career bests in home runs, RBI and runs, too, although the 28-year-old's .759 OPS and 115 wRC+ were both low-water marks. It was due mainly to Donovan's walk rate falling for the second year in a row down to 7.2 percent, which is below average and a far cry from the 12.8 percent mark he had as a rookie. He still had a solid .342 OBP thanks to an elite contact rate keeping his average up, but the Cardinals moved away from Donovan as their regular leadoff man in June and Masyn Winn grabbed that gig. Because he's not a standout in any statistical category, Donovan really needs a prime spot in the batting order to elevate his standing in fantasy leagues. Read Past Outlooks
Slated to hit third in opener
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he plans to start Donovan at second base and bat him third in Thursday's opener against the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
ANALYSIS
Marmol indicated that the Cardinals' lineup for Monday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Memphis -- which features Donovan in the three spot -- is the same setup he is planning for Opening Day. It's a favorable RBI spot for Donovan, who will bat behind Lars Nootbaar and Willson Contreras.
Marmol indicated that the Cardinals' lineup for Monday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Memphis -- which features Donovan in the three spot -- is the same setup he is planning for Opening Day. It's a favorable RBI spot for Donovan, who will bat behind Lars Nootbaar and Willson Contreras.
Batting Stats
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2025
2024
2023
2022
Minor League Game Log
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
#1
#2
#3
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#9
1
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#2
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Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2023
+25%
OPS vs RHP
2025
-100%
OPS vs RHP
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023vs Left | .647 | 257 | 0 | 17 | .253 | ||||
| Since 2023vs Right | .811 | 770 | 25 | 91 | .290 | ||||
| 2025vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2025vs Right | 1.000 | 4 | 0 | 1 | .500 | ||||
| 2024vs Left | .671 | 194 | 0 | 16 | .259 | ||||
| 2024vs Right | .797 | 458 | 14 | 57 | .286 | ||||
| 2023vs Left | .570 | 63 | 0 | 1 | .236 | ||||
| 2023vs Right | .831 | 308 | 11 | 33 | .294 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2023
+8%
OPS at Home
2025
-100%
OPS at Home
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023Home | .800 | 509 | 14 | 61 | .285 | ||||
| Since 2023Away | .741 | 518 | 11 | 47 | .277 | ||||
| 2025Home | 1.000 | 4 | 0 | 1 | .500 | ||||
| 2025Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2024Home | .789 | 314 | 7 | 38 | .288 | ||||
| 2024Away | .731 | 338 | 7 | 35 | .268 | ||||
| 2023Home | .813 | 191 | 7 | 22 | .275 | ||||
| 2023Away | .760 | 180 | 4 | 12 | .294 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Stat Review
How does Brendan Donovan compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.00BB Rate
0.0%K Rate
25.0%BABIP
.667ISO
.000AVG
.500OBP
.500SLG
.500OPS
1.000wOBA
.445Exit Velocity
102.7 mphHard Hit Rate
33.3%Barrels/PA
0.0%Expected BA
.211Expected SLG
.227Sprint Speed
0.0 ft/secGround Ball %
100.0%Line Drive %
0.0%Fly Ball %
0.0%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
Donovan worked last offseason on tweaking his setup at the plate, standing more upright while attempting to pull the ball in the air more often. It seemed to mostly work, as he upped his flyball rate from 23.6 percent to 30.3 percent and his pull rate from 35.5 percent to 41.3 percent. The result was Donovan more than doubling his home run total, but unfortunately he played only 95 games before needing season-ending flexor tendon surgery. The new, more aggressive approach meant fewer walks for Donovan, but because he remained elite at making contact and also hit the ball harder, he boasted an xBA in the 91st percentile. Donovan is expected to recover from elbow surgery in time for Opening Day and seems like a good bet to hit either first or second in the Cardinals' lineup.
More Fantasy News
Will see some reps at shortstop
Donovan will start at shortstop for the Cardinals when Masyn Winn has a day off, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
ANALYSIS
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In line for super utility role
Donovan is expected to assume a super utility role this season for the Cardinals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Gets $2.85M salary for 2025
Donovan will earn $2.85 million in 2025 after losing his arbitration case Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Goes deep in win
Donovan went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two walks in Sunday's win over the Giants.
ANALYSIS
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Drives in two in loss
Donovan went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Giants.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
No long-term future in St. Louis?
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, any Cardinals player that has gone to an arbitration hearing in the past 30 years hasn't remained with the club long term, which could indicate that Donovan's time with the team is limited after losing his arbitration case in mid-February.
ANALYSIS
The club's history with arbitration hearings certainly doesn't predict the future, but it's still worth keeping in mind after the two sides also failed to come to terms on a contract extension. Donovan will make $2.85 million in 2025 and has two more years of arbitration eligibility. He played in a career-high 153 games last season and had a .278/.342/.417 slash line with 14 home runs, five steals, 73 RBI and 65 runs scored.
The club's history with arbitration hearings certainly doesn't predict the future, but it's still worth keeping in mind after the two sides also failed to come to terms on a contract extension. Donovan will make $2.85 million in 2025 and has two more years of arbitration eligibility. He played in a career-high 153 games last season and had a .278/.342/.417 slash line with 14 home runs, five steals, 73 RBI and 65 runs scored.