This is bad news for the 2016 Cardinals, who rely heavily on homers to score runs. But it could be great news for a franchise built on pitching.

Watching Luke Weaver work with rookie catcher Carson Kelly reminded us the Cardinals can keep their pitching-centric identity even as Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina inch toward their twilight years.

Weaver is the real deal. So is fellow rookie Alex Reyes. Carlos Martinez has risen toward staff ace status. And in Kelly the Cardinals have finally developed a catcher with the skills and mindset to carry forward the Matheny-Molina tradition.

“I know Carson has learned a lot from Yadi,” Weaver said after Sunday’s game. “You can just tell from the poise back there that he’s going to be a really good player to come. He’s learned a lot and I’ve learned a lot from the pitching side of things.”

Weaver was part of the great 2014 pitching reload. He rose quickly after arriving as first-round pick from Florida State University, reaching the majors in his second full pro season. Fellow ’14 draft picks Jack Flaherty, Ronnie Williams, Andrew Morales (when healthy), Austin Gomber and Matt Pearce also excelled in the minors this season.