The year 2025 may be the pivotal year that will shape Brendan Donovan’s destiny. From being born into a military family and moving around to follow his father — an Army officer who served in places like Iraq, Korea, Afghanistan, and Germany — Brendan learned valuable lessons about discipline, flexibility, and adaptability early on.
When he entered the MLB — selected by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2018 draft out of the University of South Alabama — few expected him to become one of the team’s most versatile and dependable players.
Growing up in a family that moved constantly because of his father’s mission, Brendan was accustomed to getting used to new environments, new friends, new conditions — “getting comfortable being uncomfortable.” It’s a mentality he brings to the field.
That adaptability has made him a versatile player: since 2022, Donovan has played nearly every position — second base, outfield, third base — thanks to his versatility and smart thinking.
The 2024 season marked a big step forward. Donovan led the Cardinals in hits — 163 — and despite undergoing elbow surgery, he finished the season with 14 home runs and 73 RBIs.
Moving into 2025 — the “ripe” season of his career — he has maintained his impressive form: batting average .287, on-base percentage .353, slugging .422, with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs since returning from injury. Not only that, Donovan also leads the league in doubles — two-base hits — showing his dexterity and intelligence in choosing his hitting position.
His high performance, consistency, and versatility earned him the Cardinals’ sole representative to the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game — an honor that would have been difficult to achieve without his will and relentless effort.
Donovan’s father — James Donovan — served in many places around the world, while his mother — Lisa Donovan — kept the family together while her husband was away. Brendan inherited from them the lessons of patience, adaptability, and the “do whatever it takes to help others” mentality.
At a time when many players are stuck with a fixed position, Donovan chose a different path: always ready to stand in any position the team needs — in the infield or outfield — and train himself to become a “multi-purpose weapon.” “Being flexible — that’s a value. If the team needs me, I’m ready,” he once said.
At the same time, Donovan also uses his influence to spread humanitarian values: in 2025, he was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award — for players who have made outstanding contributions off the field, in the community — thanks to activities supporting veterans and their families.
Despite his many achievements, Donovan is not satisfied. He learns from veteran teammates like Paul Goldschmidt about how to live — how to prepare thoroughly, be disciplined, and live like a “model athlete” every day.
With the motto “prepare A, B, and C” for every situation — a habit he has had since his teenage years — Donovan is always the first one on the training ground, working hard every day, not letting a moment of distraction go to waste. But more than that — he wants to prove: a versatile, disciplined player with a kind heart — can both play an important role on the field and be an example of professionalism, team spirit and community responsibility.
Leave a Reply