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Lake Forest Today
By the People, for the People
Cardinals Outfielder Nathan Church Makes Strong Case for Opening Day Roster
The 24-year-old has impressed in spring training after a tough 2025 season.
Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:10pm
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Cardinals outfielder Nathan Church has made a strong case to be on the team's Opening Day roster in 2026 after a significant improvement in his game. Church struggled to adjust to the major leagues in 2025, but this spring he has slowed the game down, improved his mechanics, and regained his confidence at the plate. With a .273 batting average, a home run, and 3 RBIs so far in spring training, Church is making his case to be part of a platoon in left field or a defensive replacement outfielder for the Cardinals.
Why it matters
Church's potential inclusion on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster is noteworthy because it shows the team's willingness to give young talent a chance, even after a tough debut season. The Cardinals have a history of developing homegrown players, and Church's progress this spring could earn him a spot on the major league roster to start the 2026 season.
The details
After struggling to adjust to the major leagues in 2025, Cardinals outfielder Nathan Church has made significant improvements this spring. Church has slowed the game down, improved his mechanics at the plate, and regained his confidence. Through 22 at-bats, he is batting .273 with a home run and 3 RBIs, putting him in contention for a spot on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster. Church could find himself in a platoon situation in left field or as a defensive replacement outfielder.
- Church was called up to the Cardinals in August 2025.
- Entering Friday's action against the Astros, Church was 6-for-22 (.273) with a homer and three RBIs in spring training 2026.
The players
Nathan Church
A 24-year-old outfielder in the Cardinals organization who is making a strong case to be on the team's Opening Day roster in 2026 after a tough 2025 season.
Oliver Marmol
The manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, who has seen a significant improvement in Church's game this spring training.
What they’re saying
“[Church] understands what he is preparing for because the meter has been different. His demeanor has been different, overall confidence is better. Mechanically, he has made some changes to be more consistent.”
— Oliver Marmol, Cardinals Manager
“I'm not really too worried about [making the team]. I'm trying to be the best player I can be and prove to them that I can help this team win. I'm just trying to get better and everything else will speak for itself.”
— Nathan Church
What’s next
The Cardinals will continue to evaluate Church's performance in the remaining spring training games as they make decisions about the Opening Day roster.
The takeaway
Nathan Church's impressive spring training performance after a tough 2025 season shows the Cardinals' commitment to developing young talent and giving players a chance to prove themselves at the major league level. Church's progress this spring could earn him a spot on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster, highlighting the team's ability to identify and nurture promising prospects.
