Juan Yepez is that guy. Read below to see how the rookie has been on an absolute tear as of late and continues his impressive first season.
Tik Tok brought us one of the best videos at the grocery store of all time, “you’re not that guy pal, you’re not that guy.” Well, I am here to tell you that Juan Yepez is absolutely that guy. The rookie launched two home runs in last night’s win over the Miami Marlins.
The hottest hitter on the planet stayed hot as Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run in the first inning to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. Fast forward to the fourth inning, after Goldschmidt and Nolan Gorman reached base, Yepez smoked a ball off the french fries on the Big Mac Land sign.
Make it a McDouble! pic.twitter.com/Ox7h9XLOyB
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 28, 2022
Yepez flashed two fingers to the dugout and many assumed it to be a peace sign but that was not the case when asked about it after the game. The “two” actually stands for the hitting group that Yepez is a part of and that group did not have a hit yet. A few teammates were ribbing “Group Two” about not having a hit and Yepez changed that.
After Goldschmidt doubled in the fifth to make the game 5-0, Yepez came up in the sixth inning looking to do more damage. One must not have been enough because Yepez connected on another ball that he sent deep to left for his second home run of the night.
Yepez… again! pic.twitter.com/4laOLL2zPX
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 28, 2022
I love the relationship of Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright and Albert Pujols together but one relationship that I love to watch as well is Yepez and Pujols. On both home runs, the cameras panned to the dugout to see the reaction of Pujols and to see him mess around with Yepez. To be a young rookie with a ton of potential and talent soaking it all in from one of the greatest hitters of all time is amazing.
Rise of the rookies
This has most undoubtedly been the year of the rookies for the St. Louis Cardinals. Due to injuries and poor play, there have been many players making their debuts. We all know the names of Yepez, Gorman and Brendan Donovan because they have made their impact known at the big league level.
Many names have quickly come up like Packy Naughton, Kramer Robertson, and now Conner Capel and James Naile can be added to the list. Capel and Naile were called up and added to the 40-man roster due to two players being put on the COVID list. Naile is a native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and fulfilled his childhood dream last night.
We've got another major league debut in the top of the ninth as Conner Capel takes over in left field. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/KRV5t4u9WC
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) June 28, 2022
Naile grew up a Cardinals fan and spoke about how he had a poster of Adam Wainwright in his room growing up. After a dominant performance last night from Wainwright, Naile relieved his childhood star in the eighth inning.
James Naile on making his major league debut with the #STLCards: "You know, there's 29 other teams. For it to be at home in Busch with the Birds on the Bat, it doesn't get any better than that for a small-town Missouri boy." pic.twitter.com/65Dj2gSiX7
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) June 28, 2022
Tough schedule to end the first half
After the series with Miami wraps up and the Cardinals head to Philadelphia for a game Friday, the Cardinals will play 14 straight games against teams with a .500 record or better. Three games against the Philadelphia Phillies and four games against the Atlanta Braves all come on the road for St. Louis. The Cardinals will return home to host the Phillies for four games and then host the Los Angeles Dodgers for three.
To end the first half of the season, the Cincinnati Reds come to town for a three-game series. At that point, we will know who is heading to the All-Star Game and it looks like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado will be the two All-Stars from St. Louis.
All-Star Voting
As of yesterday, Paul Goldschmidt led all first basemen in the National League in All-Star votes. With over 1 million votes, Goldschmidt is the clear favorite. Nolan Arenado is in second among third basemen. Unfortunately, it may end there for the Cardinals.
Tommy Edman is given the short stick because he is a utility player that has had to play both shortstop and second base this season. Nolan Gorman is fifth in the second base voting and does not have much of a chance to be an All-Star.
Albert Pujols is the next closest chance to being an All-Star as he would replace the injured Bryce Harper. Harper broke his thumb after being hit by a pitch this last weekend in San Diego.
Head to mlb.com/vote to cast your votes for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game.
