On May 11, 2025, a post from @STL_Stats_Facts on X set Cardinals fans ablaze with pride: “Most fWAR among MLB 2nd basemen: 1.7 – Brendan Donovan, 1.2 – Tommy Edman, 1.1 – Brice Turang, 1.0 – Bryson Stott. He’s the best 2nd baseman in baseball when he’s playing there and more than deserving of an All-Star nod if he keeps it up.” The post, highlighting Donovan’s league-leading 1.7 fWAR among second basemen, underscores his breakout 2025 season and has St. Louis buzzing about their versatile utility man turned cornerstone infielder.
Donovan’s 1.7 fWAR through 41 games in 2025, as reported by FanGraphs, edges out Dodgers’ Tommy Edman (1.2), Brewers’ Brice Turang (1.1), and Phillies’ Bryson Stott (1.0), making him the top-performing second baseman in baseball. His stat line is stellar: a .359 batting average, .396 OBP, .930 OPS, and 12 extra-base hits in 26 games, per Bleacher Report. Donovan’s 154 wRC+ ranks among the NL’s best, and his 5 Outs Above Average (OAA) at second base ties him for ninth among his peers, per Just Baseball. Posts on X, like
@STL_Stats_Facts, have fans calling for an All-Star nod, with one user noting, “Donovan’s bat and glove are carrying us.”
The 28-year-old’s 2025 season builds on his 2024 utility role, where he played multiple positions but has now settled primarily at second base. His .359 average leads the NL, and his disciplined approach—8.1% walk rate and 15.6% strikeout rate—makes him a tough out. Defensively, Donovan’s versatility remains a weapon, with starts at shortstop and left field, but his steady glove at second (2 DRS, per FanGraphs) has anchored the Cardinals’ infield. His 1.7 fWAR already surpasses his 1.1 WAR in 2024, signaling a career year.
Donovan’s rise isn’t just about numbers—it’s about impact. During the Cardinals’ eight-game win streak, capped by a 6-1 win over the Nationals on May 11, he went 10-for-22 with a homer and four RBIs, setting the table for a lineup featuring Lars Nootbaar and Willson Contreras. His leadoff heroics have helped St. Louis climb to 22-19, just one game back in the NL Central. As
@katiejwoo posted on X, “Donovan’s making a case for MVP votes if this keeps up.”
Compared to his peers, Donovan’s edge is clear. Edman’s 1.2 fWAR comes with a .348 wOBA and 10.4% barrel rate, but his .265 average trails Donovan’s. Turang’s 1.1 fWAR leans on elite defense (2024 Platinum Glove winner) and 50 steals, but his .310 average and .429 SLG don’t match Donovan’s pop. Stott’s 1.0 fWAR reflects strong defense (17 OAA in 2024) but a .245 average and 88 wRC+ in 2024 pale next to Donovan’s bat. For Cardinals fans, the X post’s claim—“He’s the best 2nd baseman in baseball”—feels less like hype and more like fact.
With the All-Star Game looming, Donovan’s case is undeniable. His blend of elite contact, sneaky power (14 HRs in 2024, on pace for more), and plus defense has St. Louis dreaming of a deep playoff run. As manager Oliver Marmol told MLB.com, “Brendan’s doing everything we ask and more.” For the Redbird faithful, Donovan’s fWAR lead is a rallying cry: their do-it-all star is ready to shine on baseball’s biggest stage.
