Before the Cardinals’ series against the Mets, things were looking good for them, especially at the plate. They were leading the league in batting average (.280) and on-base percentage (.348), second in hits, and top five in slugging and OPS. But their offense hit a wall during the four-game series, only managing a .171 batting average and striking out 43 times. They also struggled with runners in scoring position, going just 4-for-27.

Manager Oliver Marmol didn’t sugarcoat things, saying the Mets were simply the better team, especially with stars like Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso leading the charge. Despite the tough loss, one bright spot for the Cardinals was shortstop Thomas Saggese. The No. 5 prospect in the Cardinals’ system hit .333 during the series, with two RBIs. His big hit came Sunday when he doubled to tie the game at 3.

Saggese’s return to the majors on April 4 has been impressive. He’s got a .400/.389/.600 slash line and has been standing out in a positive way. Marmol is pleased with his growth, both at the plate and in understanding the game. Saggese credits veterans like Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado for helping him develop, saying he’s always asking questions to improve his game. He also stays relaxed on the field, thanks to his faith.

Overall, even though the Cardinals had a rough series, Saggese is showing he’s ready for the big leagues and could be a key player moving forward.