ST. LOUIS -- Informed recently that he had set an odd bit of Major League Baseball history to begin the 2025 season, defensive ace Michael Siani got a good jump and took a direct and efficient route before going on … the offensive. “I told Pedro [Pagés] that he’s going to have to start speaking to me differently now that I am a record holder,” joked Siani, referring to his close friend and Cardinals teammate. The record that Siani set? It is one that he can simultaneously wear as a badge of pride, but one that also must sting his hopes of proving that he belongs at the big league level. Incredibly, Siani opened the season by appearing in seven games without getting a plate appearance -- the first time that’s ever happened at the NL/AL levels. Instead of getting at-bats, Siani has been used as a late-game defensive replacement or as a speedy pinch-runner when others reach base during rallies. Siani’s record run finally came to an end in last Sunday’s ugly 18-7 loss to the Red Sox when he was inserted into the game late and got his first at-bat in the eighth inning. Predictably for someone who hadn’t hit in a game in weeks, Siani grounded out on the infield. |
Siani, 25, made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster in 2024 because of his willingness to do the little things for the club, and he’s in a similar role this season after losing a Spring Training battle for the starting center field job to Victor Scott II. Last season, Siani kept himself ready when Scott struggled, and when multiple center field options were injured, he crafted a spectacular defensive season for the Cards. His Fielding Run Value (13) was almost twice that of any other Cardinal (Nolan Arenado, seven), and that tangible defensive impact ranked fifth in all of baseball in 2024, per Baseball Savant. Though he hasn’t gotten much of a chance to hit, Siani has contributed by flashing his elite defensive skill. His catch in the season’s second game -- running down a Carlos Correa smash in the gap where he statistically had just a 10 percent catch probability -- was rated as the second most difficult catch of the season, per Statcast (tied with Miami's Griffin Conine and trailing Boston's Ceddanne Rafaela's 5 percent catch probability gem.) Inserted into the game late, Siani used 27.9 feet-per-second sprint speed to cover 107 feet and snag the 101.8 mph blast by Correa before smashing face-first into the wall. “It’s kind of a similar role to how last year began, and I know that with any kind of situation, I have to be ready to do my part,” said Siani, who usually gets a heads-up from bench coach Daniel Descalso about how he might be used late in games. “I usually start moving around early in the game. I get some swings in during the middle innings, and then I make sure my legs are loose so that I’m ready to go in. I want to be ready for any situation -- if I have to [pinch] run, take some swings or go play defense.” Like when he was informed about setting some MLB history, Siani had a quick quip when told that he had become the equivalent of a “defensive closer” in his role as a late-game defender. Chasing down almost sure hits has helped Siani, to some degree, become the defensive equivalent of All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, who set a Cardinals record with 49 saves in 2024. “Tell Helsley that I’m a better closer than he is,” Siani playfully cracked. “I’m going to get more saves than him this season.” |
If you can’t already tell by his joking manner and his self-deprecating humor, Siani is one of the most likeable and pleasant players in the Cardinals' clubhouse among teammates. The Philadelphia native’s favorite athlete of all-time is former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, and he brings sort of a free safety mindset to playing center field with his willingness to sacrifice his body to make plays. In terms of his hitting, it’s still very much a work in progress for Siani, who hit .228 in 124 games in 2024 and is just 1-for-8 in '25. He just wants to get back to where he was last August, when he had a solid 12-for-27 stretch (.444) with a nine-game hitting streak going before he tried to push through oblique soreness that resulted in a tear that cost him three weeks of action. “I try not to think [about what could have been], and just build off where I was at that time,” Siani said. “It’s a new year, a new opportunity. I want to get comfortable and know that I can help this team win in a lot of ways.” |
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INJURED HERRERA TRYING TO STAY POSITIVE |
Just as his career seemed to be taking off as a blossoming star for the Cardinals, Iván Herrera -- he of the four home runs in a two-game stretch earlier this month -- saw his season hit a snag when he suffered a bone bruise in his left knee while sprinting from first to third last Sunday. When Cardinals staffers had to help Herrera off the field, their initial fears were that Herrera had suffered a major injury that would end his season. When initial tests showed no structural damage, the Cardinals were briefly encouraged. However, further testing showed the bone bruise that will cost the 24-year-old catcher a minimum of four weeks on the sidelines. Herrera, who became the first catcher in the rich history of the Cardinals to homer three times in a game on April 2, is trying to remain positive. “It’s OK because I choose God’s plan and I know that things happen for a reason,” Herrera said. “I’m just trying to control what I can control. To me, it doesn’t [stink] because you get guys like [reserve catcher Yohel] Pozo getting opportunities, and that’s awesome to see. When I see things like that, I don’t feel so bad about my injury.” |
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