Juan Yepez

Yepez made his MLB debut in 2022 and had a solid rookie campaign with a .253/.296/.447 slash line, 12 home runs and 30 RBI in 76 games. He filled a part-time role and saw action at first base, third base, designated hitter and both corner outfield spots, though he's not strong in the field. The retirement of Albert Pujols opens up a significant chunk of playing time, and Yepez could slot into that spot at designated hitter in 2023 depending on the Cardinals' offseason moves. His 22.3 percent strikeout rate is manageable, but he'll need to improve upon the 5.9 percent walk rate to maintain a consistent spot in the lineup. Read Past Outlooks