The career of former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mike McDonough has been on a steady decline since his debut in 2014. After a promising start to his career, McDonough has seen his performance drop off significantly over the past few years. The Cardinals have cited erratic behavior as the primary cause for McDonough’s struggles.
McDonough was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He quickly made an impact in the Cardinals’ rotation, posting a 3.19 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in his rookie season. However, his performance began to decline in 2015, as his ERA rose to 4.45 and his WHIP increased to 1.41.
The Cardinals have attributed McDonough’s struggles to his erratic behavior. The team has noted that he has been unpredictable on the mound, often making poor decisions and throwing too many pitches in the wrong spots. Additionally, McDonough has been known to get frustrated easily and has had several outbursts on the mound.
In an effort to help McDonough regain his form, the Cardinals have put him through a series of mental health evaluations and counseling sessions. The team has also implemented a strict regimen of drills and exercises designed to help him focus on the task at hand.
Despite these efforts, McDonough’s performance has not improved significantly. His ERA for the 2016 season was 5.40 and his WHIP was 1.63. The Cardinals have recently demoted McDonough to the minor leagues in hopes that he can regain his form and become a productive member of the team again.
It remains to be seen if McDonough can turn things around and become a successful pitcher once again. However, it is clear that erratic behavior has been a major factor in his decline and that the Cardinals are taking steps to address it. Only time will tell if these efforts will pay off.
