Imagine a 23-year-old shortstop, dripping in diamonds and exuding the kind of swagger that comes with a middle name like 'Blaze,' dedicating himself to the most mundane, repetitive drills in baseball. Sounds like a mismatch, right? But that's exactly what Masyn Winn did to become the youngest Gold Glove winner in St. Louis Cardinals history.
Winn's 2025 season was nothing short of spectacular, with just three errors and a defensive performance that left fans in awe. Yet, his journey to greatness wasn't paved with highlight-reel plays—at least, not at first. It was built on the back of countless ground-ball drills, a relentless focus on fundamentals, and a mindset shift that prioritized consistency over flash. And this is the part most people miss: the secret to his success wasn't about making the impossible look easy; it was about making the easy look effortless, every single time.
Winn admits that early in his career, he wanted to emulate the flashy plays of legends like Derek Jeter. But it was Cardinals instructor José Oquendo who drilled into him the importance of mastering the basics. "He brought everything down to the fundamentals," Winn said. "That’s what made me so much better." By committing to the simple, routine plays, Winn transformed himself into a defensive powerhouse, cutting his errors from 18 to a historic three in 2025—a total that matched the single-season records of icons like Cal Ripken Jr. and Omar Vizquel.
But here's where it gets controversial: While Winn's defensive prowess is undeniable, his offensive performance in 2025 left much to be desired. With a .253/.310/.363 slash line and just nine home runs, his bat didn’t quite live up to the hype. And this offseason, he’s determined to change that. Working alongside teammates Jordan Walker, Iván Herrera, and top prospect JJ Wetherholt, Winn is focusing on refining his swing and boosting his offensive consistency. His goal? To become a well-rounded shortstop who dominates both in the field and at the plate.
Winn’s recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery is also a key part of his offseason narrative. After a procedure that was less invasive than initially feared, he’s already back to jogging and leg workouts—the kind of grueling, unglamorous work that lays the foundation for a full 162-game season. "It sucks, but it’s good for me," he said with a laugh. By Spring Training, he’s expected to be fully cleared, ready to swing the bat and dive back into those mundane drills that made him a Gold Glover.
Here’s the bold question: Can Winn sustain his defensive greatness while significantly improving his offense? Ten-time Gold Glover Nolan Arenado and four-time winner Paul Goldschmidt believe he can, predicting multiple Gold Gloves in his future. But the real test will be balancing his defensive dominance with offensive growth. After all, becoming a complete player isn’t just about making the spectacular plays—it’s about mastering the mundane, day in and day out.
What do you think? Can Winn become the next great two-way shortstop, or will his offensive struggles hold him back? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
