JUPITER, Fla. — Even before Wednesday, I’ve believed that Dakota Hudson could be this year’s Jack Flaherty.
Well, now the Cardinals might need him to be Jack Flaherty.
There’s uncertainty whether Flaherty (shoulder) will be ready to make the opening-day roster. And if he’s unavailable for a while, that’s a gargantuan problem for a World Series hopeful. Whether they trade or sign a new starter will depend on the duration that Flaherty is out. In the meantime, though, there’s some comfort in knowing that Hudson should be better than he’s ever been.
“I’ve seen consistency early in seasons, I’ve seen it deeper into a regular season — I’m looking to be strong at the end,” Hudson shared. “So putting it all together and making it consistent and making it easier to repeat, that’s what I’m after. That’s what I’ve been driving for since I had (Tommy John surgery) — and now that I’m back and healthy, that’s what I’m pushing forward for.”
Why all this Hudson hopefulness?
Consider how well he was pitching before his 2020 injury — but more importantly, how well he pitched upon return in late 2021.
It was just two appearances, 8 2/3 innings, but each of the 26 outs infused confidence in those from the dugout to the press box to the mound itself. Hudson allowed just two earned runs for a 2.08 ERA, while striking out six and walking one.
And his sinker could be sponsored by Spectracide Lawn and Garden Products; it kills worms. Dakota’s southbound pitch induced 10 groundouts in his lone start. It befuddled batters who smattered soft grounders.
He is, in many ways, the ideal pitcher for this club. Consider that first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, second baseman Tommy Edman and third baseman Nolan Areando are reigning Gold Glove winners, and while Paul DeJong or Edmundo Sosa might provide average offense, their shortstop defense is definitive.
“It was a tease of a season last year — I mean, I had two outings,” said Hudson, 27. “I got back around the team for two weeks and it was incredible baseball (heading into the playoffs). So I’m looking forward to be with these guys and see what we can do this year. It’s exciting.”
It really is. In 2020, the weird year, Hudson was impressively stable. He tallied a 2.77 ERA in his eight starts along with a tidy WHIP of 1.00 (all before the elbow injury).
He was coming off a fifth-place finish in 2019 in voting for the Rookie of the Year Award, a season in which he threw 174 2/3 innings and went 16-7 with a 3.35 ERA. It’s fair to point out he had a dubious 86 walks, the National League high. It’s also fair to point out that he’s diligently and intelligently worked to get that walk rate down.
And some of Hudson’s best baseball characteristics were on display when he wasn’t playing baseball, be it between starts or during his rehabilitation.
“He’s a pro’s pro,” said Oliver Marmol, the new Cardinals manager. “If you were to build a player, it’d be with that type of makeup. He just has a really good routine. He sticks to it. He’s confident who he is. Just goes about it the right way.
“We talk about the preparation, dedication, He knows what he needs to do in order to be ready. I’m excited about his year — I’m very excited.”
Fittingly, Hudson’s career ERA for St. Louis is 3.14, the city’s area code. Here’s thinking he will represent St. Louis in the 2022 All-Star Game. If Flaherty were healthy, he’d be a pick for the midsummer classic, too. His stupendous stuff earned him a 9-2 record in his injury-plagued 2021.
With Miles Mikolas out last year, as well, it’s crazy to think that the pitching staff was part of a playoff team. Adam Wainwright, of course, was vintage “Waino.” And credit the front office for hitting on the moves made, such as obtaining veteran pitchers J.A. Happ, Wade LeBlanc and Jon Lester. That same front office might have to make another move for a pitcher this week, if the Flaherty news is negative.
As for Hudson, the 6-foot-5 righthander spent much of the offseason in the Jupiter area. Mikolas joked that he knew Hudson was ready earlier this week, when the Hudson family hung out at Miles’ house. Hudson playfully threw his kids around the pool, “so he looks in shape,” Mikolas said. “And he had ‘tight sink’ when he threw them in the pool. …
“I’ve been watching him throw since January — you know, his stuff is crisp. The ball is coming down hard, sinking hard. His breaking stuff has been looking good. … Absolutely, I think he will be a big part of it this year, hopefully.”
Absolutely, hopefully.
That kind of sums up the 2022 Cardinals’ starting rotation.
