2024 Stats
AVG
.278
HR
14
RBI
73
R
65
SB
5
2025 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
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
Arbitration-eligible for the first time, Donovan had been hopeful to work out a multi-year extension with the Cardinals this offseason, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement before the Jan. 9 deadline. He then filed for a $3.3 million salary for 2025, but he'll ultimately have to settle for $450,000 less than that amount after losing his case. The lack of an extension shouldn't affect Donovan's standing in the organization, as he's still expected to serve as a near-everyday player in 2025 after slashing .278/.342/.417 with a career-high 14 home runs and 73 RBI over 652 plate appearances last season.
Arbitration-eligible for the first time, Donovan had been hopeful to work out a multi-year extension with the Cardinals this offseason, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement before the Jan. 9 deadline. He then filed for a $3.3 million salary for 2025, but he'll ultimately have to settle for $450,000 less than that amount after losing his case. The lack of an extension shouldn't affect Donovan's standing in the organization, as he's still expected to serve as a near-everyday player in 2025 after slashing .278/.342/.417 with a career-high 14 home runs and 73 RBI over 652 plate appearances last season.
Batting Stats
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2024
2023
2022
Minor League Game Log
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
45
1
19
32
11
3
1
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
7
2
2
16
7
3
1
Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2022
+19%
OPS vs RHP
2024
+19%
OPS vs RHP
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2022vs Left | .670 | 334 | 0 | 25 | .259 | ||||
| Since 2022vs Right | .800 | 1157 | 30 | 127 | .287 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 2022vs Left | .749 | 77 | 0 | 8 | .279 | ||||
| 2022vs Right | .777 | 391 | 5 | 37 | .282 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2022
+16%
OPS at Home
2024
+8%
OPS at Home
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2022Home | .828 | 734 | 17 | 85 | .297 | ||||
| Since 2022Away | .715 | 757 | 13 | 67 | .265 | ||||
| 2024Home | .789 | 314 | 7 | 38 | .288 | ||||
| 2024Away | .731 | 338 | 7 | 35 | .268 | ||||
| 2023Home | .813 | 191 | 7 | 22 | .275 | ||||
| 2023Away | .760 | 180 | 4 | 12 | .294 | ||||
| 2022Home | .896 | 229 | 3 | 25 | .330 | ||||
| 2022Away | .657 | 239 | 2 | 20 | .236 | ||||
| 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
0.58BB Rate
7.2%K Rate
12.4%BABIP
.300ISO
.140AVG
.278OBP
.342SLG
.417OPS
.759wOBA
.336Exit Velocity
88.7 mphHard Hit Rate
30.7%Barrels/PA
4.3%Expected BA
.277Expected SLG
.419Sprint Speed
23.3 ft/secGround Ball %
41.8%Line Drive %
21.3%Fly Ball %
36.9%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
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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Taking seat in series finale
Donovan is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest in Colorado.
ANALYSIS
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Perfect at plate Thursday
Donvan went 4-for-4 with a double and two RBI in a loss to the Pirates on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
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Homers in Wednesday's win
Donovan went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 10-5 win over the Pirates.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Arbitration decision looming
According to the Associated Press, Donovan and the Cardinals had their arbitration hearing Tuesday, with a decision expected to be announced Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
The Cardinals filed at $2.85 million, while Donovan is looking to get $3.3 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 28-year-old played in a career-high 153 games last season and totaled 14 home runs, 73 RBI and 65 runs with a .759 OPS.
The Cardinals filed at $2.85 million, while Donovan is looking to get $3.3 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 28-year-old played in a career-high 153 games last season and totaled 14 home runs, 73 RBI and 65 runs with a .759 OPS.