St. Louis Cardinals 2022

the juiceman cometh · Apr 21, 2022

wpr said:
He's a good player. Cardinal fans complain when the front office doesn't grab the big named players. They went out and got Ozuna. It simply didn't work out. He was considered a quality OF and you have to give quality to get quality in return.

Yup. Just imagine how Mariners fans probably felt seeing TON go off last season. Sometimes the prospects you trade away (or receive in return) for someone who can help you now, actually end up panning out. It's just the cost of doing business.

Consider the Waino trade. Braves get JD Drew. Cards get a pitching prospect who doesn't make his debut for another 2 years. At the time, great trade for the Braves. Drew has the best season of his career, worth 8.3 WAR, OPS of 1.006, finishes 6th in MVP voting, Braves win division. But looking retrospectively, Drew walks at the end of that season, and Waino becomes Waino. Cards get an Ace pitcher, who they keep for his entire career, in exchange for one elite batting season. But, who knows. Waino could have also gone the way of Shelby Miller or Colby Rasmus or any number of other top prospects. Luckily he didn't.

NEIlliniFan · Apr 21, 2022

wpr said:
He's a good player. Cardinal fans complain when the front office doesn't grab the big named players. They went out and got Ozuna. It simply didn't work out. He was considered a quality OF and you have to give quality to get quality in return.

Having followed and written about St Louis' minor league system for years, I am used to give and take. I also know trades are judged both in the short- and long-term.

I hated that trade then and I hate that trade now.

the juiceman cometh · Apr 21, 2022

NEIlliniFan said:
Having followed and written about St Louis' minor league system for years, I am used to give and take. I also know trades are judged both in the short- and long-term.

I hated that trade then and I hate that trade now.

Since you seem know a lot about the minor league system, what prospects are you most excited about? Jordan Walker seems to have the highest ceiling from what I can gather, but is there anyone else I should be amping myself up for?

IlliniFan85 · Apr 21, 2022

the juiceman cometh said:
Since you seem know a lot about the minor league system, what prospects are you most excited about? Jordan Walker seems to have the highest ceiling from what I can gather, but is there anyone else I should be amping myself up for?

I love having Walker, but I am excited for Gorman. I have been keeping tabs on him since he was drafted. I have followed players before, but I just love hearing about Gorman, and watching his highlights. I really hope switching to 2nd base works out for him. Plus you can tell he is a team player, by the fact he instantly said he would learn a new position when Arenado was acquired. I know part of it was he just wanted to help make it to the bigs as soon as possible, and that would help him, but he went out of his comfort zone for it. He looked at roster, and said this position is where I can still help this team.

I wish I lived in the Midwest so I could watch these guys play though, but unfortunately my life took me away from there, and my skillset I learned from the Army ensured Colorado will be my home for quite a long time.

the juiceman cometh · Apr 21, 2022

IlliniFan85 said:
I love having Walker, but I am excited for Gorman. I have been keeping tabs on him since he was drafted. I have followed players before, but I just love hearing about Gorman, and watching his highlights. I really hope switching to 2nd base works out for him. Plus you can tell he is a team player, by the fact he instantly said he would learn a new position when Arenado was acquired. I know part of it was he just wanted to help make it to the bigs as soon as possible, and that would help him, but he went out of his comfort zone for it. He looked at roster, and said this position is where I can still help this team.

I wish I lived in the Midwest so I could watch these guys play though, but unfortunately my life took me away from there, and my skillset I learned from the Army ensured Colorado will be my home for quite a long time.

I am very excited for Gorman to debut this year. I think he could be very impactful for us, particularly if he can make 2nd base work.

wpr · Apr 21, 2022

NEIlliniFan said:
Having followed and written about St Louis' minor league system for years, I am used to give and take. I also know trades are judged both in the short- and long-term.

I hated that trade then and I hate that trade now.

I understand. Just saying they tried. It didn't work out. I wished for Yelich but even he has not been solid every year. Even Stanton would have disappointed.

pruman91 · Apr 21, 2022

IlliniFan85 said:
I love having Walker, but I am excited for Gorman. I have been keeping tabs on him since he was drafted. I have followed players before, but I just love hearing about Gorman, and watching his highlights. I really hope switching to 2nd base works out for him. Plus you can tell he is a team player, by the fact he instantly said he would learn a new position when Arenado was acquired. I know part of it was he just wanted to help make it to the bigs as soon as possible, and that would help him, but he went out of his comfort zone for it. He looked at roster, and said this position is where I can still help this team.

I wish I lived in the Midwest so I could watch these guys play though, but unfortunately my life took me away from there, and my skillset I learned from the Army ensured Colorado will be my home for quite a long time.

pm me if you want help

wpr · Apr 21, 2022

IlliniFan85 said:
I love having Walker, but I am excited for Gorman. I have been keeping tabs on him since he was drafted. I have followed players before, but I just love hearing about Gorman, and watching his highlights. I really hope switching to 2nd base works out for him. Plus you can tell he is a team player, by the fact he instantly said he would learn a new position when Arenado was acquired. I know part of it was he just wanted to help make it to the bigs as soon as possible, and that would help him, but he went out of his comfort zone for it. He looked at roster, and said this position is where I can still help this team.

I wish I lived in the Midwest so I could watch these guys play though, but unfortunately my life took me away from there, and my skillset I learned from the Army ensured Colorado will be my home for quite a long time.

When my son was in the Army he said that he and his buddies hated the phrase, "Thank you for your service." They felt it was just something people said without thinking. I am telling you thank you for your service. As a Dad who got a call at 3:17 am following a car bomb attack, I know exactly what it means. He survived and now has 2 boys of his own.

NEIlliniFan · Apr 21, 2022

the juiceman cometh said:
Since you seem know a lot about the minor league system, what prospects are you most excited about? Jordan Walker seems to have the highest ceiling from what I can gather, but is there anyone else I should be amping myself up for?

Walker has the chance to be special. He is going through the minors at a rate I haven't seen since the late OscarTaveras. He makes the difficult look easy.

SS Masyn Winn is 19 and very promising. Not putting up Walker's numbers but not many do.

Liberatore should contribute soon. Zack Thompson had a rough 2021 but was pushed from High A at 2019's end to AAA at 2021's start. Hopefully he'll rebound

Pallante is no longer a 'secret'.

NEIlliniFan · Apr 21, 2022

Ivan Herrera is considered the Starting Catcher of the Future. He's 21 and spent all but 1 game at AA Springfield last season which made him three years younger than the average age at AA. He's Memphis' starting Catcher this year

pruman91 · Apr 21, 2022

Lopez , for the marlins tonight , has good stuff ............large dude with an easy throwing motion.....

Hicks is so interesting to watch in his transformation back to a rotation style pitching role.......................

the juiceman cometh · Apr 21, 2022

NEIlliniFan said:
Ivan Herrera is considered the Starting Catcher of the Future. He's 21 and spent all but 1 game at AA Springfield last season which made him three years younger than the average age at AA. He's Memphis' starting Catcher this year

I'm excited about Herrera. From what I gather the glove has always been there, the question has been the bat, and he took a big step forward in that regard last season at Springfield. Do you think the bat ends up translating at the MLB level or is does he project as more of a defense-first catcher?

NEIlliniFan · Apr 21, 2022

the juiceman cometh said:
I'm excited about Herrera. From what I gather the glove has always been there, the question has been the bat, and he took a big step forward in that regard last season at Springfield. Do you think the bat ends up translating at the MLB level or is does he project as more of a defense-first catcher?

Very good question. I think the bat will come around but his glove will be what carries him.

I remember MLB offensive projections for the youngest Molina brother as having a slightly better bat than Mike Matheny. That was sure off.

And then there's Jason Motte who had a MLB-level glove and arm but no bat. Glad he made a successful transition to pitching.

pruman91 · Apr 23, 2022

Constantly eluding trouble, Cardinals' Matz wins second in succession, beating Reds 4-2

Carlson, Goldschmidt are strong at the top of the lineup as Cardinals go to 8-4 and Reds suffer 10th consecutive loss.

www.stltoday.com

Rick Hummel
CINCINNATI — When next you see Steven Matz pitch at Busch Stadium on Wednesday against his original team, the New York Mets, and assuming many of you didn’t see him on Apple TV on Friday night, he isn’t likely to resemble the pitcher who gave up seven runs in three innings in his Cardinals debut on April 10.
Since that poor introduction to the home fans, Matz has taken his show on the road, displaying why the Cardinals invested four years in the left-hander. He blanked the Milwaukee Brewers on three hits over 5 2/3 innings on Sunday and then, on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds, he eluded danger throughout his five-inning stint, giving up just one run, albeit seven singles, in a 4-2 Cardinals victory.

The Cardinals won their eighth game out of 12. The Reds lost their 10th in succession, which is their longest losing streak in six seasons. They are 2-12 and already all but out of the division race after two weeks.
Remarkably, all but one of the hits in the game were singles — 18 out of 19 with one ninth-inning double — in a shooting gallery of a facility at Great American Ball Park.
When asked where he thought Matz had improved the most from his first start, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said, “He’s established the inside part of the plate. It’s allowed all his stuff to play a little better. That changeup underneath the (strike) zone is good for him. The curveball was a big player for him.”

wpr · Apr 23, 2022

Matz and Hudson have looked great in their last start (2 for Matz). Mikolas has been decent in his last two starts.

Ryllini · Apr 23, 2022

Going to be interesting going forward without Jack. Rosters trim here pretty soon, so we are going to need a 5th guy here to eat innings. I'd prefer Hicks in the pen and let Woodford get that shot.

pruman91 · Apr 24, 2022

Reds can't beat Cardinals' Hudson — or anybody else for that matter

Right-hander whips Cincinnati for sixth consecutive time, 5-0, as Reds drop their 11th in succession overall. Goldschmidt knocks in two to back Hudson's two-hit effort over 6 2/3 innings.

www.stltoday.com

Rick Hummel
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds went down to their 11th consecutive loss on Saturday and who more fitting to send them there than Dakota Hudson?
The Cardinals’ right-hander blanked the Reds on two hits for 6 2/3 innings as he beat them for the sixth time in six career decisions. Paul Goldschmidt, gradually emerging from an early-season slumber, doubled in two runs as the Cardinals whipped the Reds 5-0 at Great American Ball Park.
Hudson, after disappointing outings in his first two starts this season (he pitched just seven innings), offered up free runners in each of the first four innings with three walks and a hit batsman. But he also forced former Cardinal Tommy Pham to ground into two double plays, both on fastballs. Catcher Andrew Kninzer threw out a runner trying to steal and center fielder Harrison Bader cut down a runner trying go first to third on a single.

Hudson’s effort tied the longest by a Cardinals starter this season as Miles Mikolas had gone that distance in beating Milwaukee on April 15. Besides being 3-0 in this ballpark, Hudson, who won his first game as a starter since September of 2020 (before his elbow surgery), has an earned run average of 1.96 in this cozy yard.
“It feels good to be back,” said Hudson. “It’s big. I feel like it’s the first of many to go down the road.
“I’m just putting the ball in play and letting our defense do the work. Gold Gloves everywhere. Just got to trust them and use them.”

pruman91 · Apr 25, 2022

Cardinals' Wainwright baffled after falling again to Reds

Right-hander is 10-16 against Cincinnati, the only team in NL with a winning record against him, after Reds snap their losing streak at 11 with 4-1 win.

www.stltoday.com

Rick Hummel
CINCINNATI — Adam Wainwright, who has 186 career wins, has a losing record in his career against only one National League club. That club hadn’t won a game in two weeks — until Sunday, when the Cincinnati Reds laced Wainwright for eight hits in five innings of a 4-1 victory, which was the Reds’ first after 11 consecutive losses.
In the process, Cincinnati also raised its mark to 16-10 against Wainwright in his estimable career. His earned-run average in that time, covering 37 games and 32 starts, is a sky-high 5.34.
He is 7-8 at Great American Ball Park with a 5.31 ERA, so he actually has had a bit more trouble with the Reds at home. But he said, “I don’t know what the deal is with this place. It doesn’t make any sense. I’ve had a couple years here where I’ve pitched really well but it makes no sense why I can’t come in here and win more games than I do. It’s frustrating. It’s added two points to my career ERA pitching in this darn place.”

Wainwright was almost equal parts dejected and disgusted after being defeated.

wpr · Apr 25, 2022

It seems as if StL always struggles against rookie lefthanders.

the national · Apr 26, 2022

Uuugly game tonight. Some unfortunate defense leads to go-ahead 2run hot followed by a 2run homer. Might have been one of the worst closeouts in a while. I’m shocked Arenado threw that ball away?!?

pruman91 · Apr 26, 2022

Max’d out frustration: Cardinals strike once Scherzer leaves game but botch lead in ninth, lose 5-2

Mikolas throws seven scoreless innings to match Scherzer zero for zero and await the lineup's eighth-inning rally to win.

www.stltoday.com

Derrick Goold
Once the Cardinals pried the game free from Max Scherzer’s overpowering grip and conjured a lead to hold, a momentary misstep on defense let a win slide away.
Scherzer pitched seven super shutout innings, and the first Cardinal who did not have to face him sparked a two-run rally in the eighth inning. That lead could not outlast a lapse in the ninth. A groundball single that didn’t leave the infield capitalized on Giovanny Gallegos’ late rush to cover first base and upended the inning for two runs. That sped the New York Mets toward the win Scherzer earned with a 5-2 victory on Monday at Busch Stadium.
With the tying run at third base after Nolan Arenado’s error prolonged the inning, Gallegos faced pinch-hitter Dominic Smith. The left-handed hitter pulled a hard groundball that ricocheted off first base. Paul Goldschmidt made a diving play to snare the bounce, but when he turned to flip to first Gallegos was a step behind Smith’s headfirst slide. What could have been the final out of a wind quickly compounded into the play that cost the game.

Late to first, Gallegos could get the force out.
Off balance at first, Gallegos couldn’t throw home to get the second runner coming home, and Jeff McNeil slid home to break the 2-2 tie.
“Shouldn’t even get to that point,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “Pretty simple. We’re going to make physical mistakes. That’s a mental mistake. Can’t excuse it. He knows it. We know it. He’s got to cover first.”

pruman91 · Apr 26, 2022

BenFred: Scherzer’s record-breaking contract working early wonders for the Mets

The next Scherzer starts the Mets lose will be their first.

www.stltoday.com

Ben Frederickson
It has been suggested by some that Mets owner Steve Cohen was so fired up that the Cardinals signed free-agent starter Steven Matz out from under him this offseason that baseball’s big spending owner became more determined to sign Max Scherzer.
Three years and $130 million for the closest thing to a sure thing a 37-year-old pitcher can be — hey, it’s not my money and Cohen has plenty of it — looked worth it through seven superb innings of Cardinals domination on Monday night at Busch Stadium.
If Mets manager Buck Showalter could have predicted the future, perhaps he would have given Scherzer at least a shot to retire the bottom two hitters in the Cardinals’ lineup along with leadoff man Tommy Edman in the eighth inning instead of sending in reliever Trevor May.

All Scherzer had done before the pitching change was stack up 10 strikeouts on 101 pitches while limiting Cardinals in scoring position to one. (Tommy Edman briefly occupied second base in the third.)
But, it’s still April, and Scherzer still is within spitting distance of a hamstring scare, and it’s still cold out there, and, well, managers as experienced as Showalter don’t make the mistake of mistaking late April for a postseason push.

pruman91 · Apr 26, 2022

Cardinals notebook: Driven, versatile fielder Donovan earns first promotion to majors, fits team's plans to rest regulars

Nootbaar, batting .125 with nine strikeouts in 16 at-bats, returns to Class AAA Memphis to get regular playing time instead of a week without much use.

www.stltoday.com

Derrick Goold
After a loss Sunday afternoon, Class AAA Memphis manager Ben Johnson invited Brendan Donovan to his office to address what the infielder called an “incident” with a grounder. A ball clipped first base and caromed past Donovan for a base hit. Johnson wanted to know why Donovan missed the play.
“You’re going to need to field that in the big leagues,” Johnson said.
It took a moment for Donovan to catch on.
No, Johnson assured, he was not joking.
Donovan arrived in the majors Monday as the Cardinals swapped left-handed bats for their bench and sent outfielder Lars Nootbaar to Class AAA Memphis. The motivation for the move was twofold: A scan of the upcoming schedule saw few starts for Nootbaar and the need to identify days for corner infielders Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt to not start at third or first, respectively. Donovan can play both positions, and Nootbaar can start everyday in Memphis, rather than gather dust in limited big-league at-bats.

Building off a strong spring training, Donovan hit .298 with a .385 on-base percentage in his first 16 games with the Triple-A Redbirds. He hit his first home run of the season over the weekend and has as many walks (eight) as strikeouts. He’s played second, third, first, and left field for Memphis, while also taking reps during practice at shortstop and in right field. He’s playable at six positions.

Ryllini · Apr 26, 2022

Tough to watch the 9th in person last night.

pruman91 · Apr 27, 2022

Hicks suffers bruised wrist as Cardinals blanked by Mets 3-0

Hard-hit ball expedites right-hander's departure in third inning although X-rays are negative. Cardinals have three hit batsmen--and three hits.

www.stltoday.com

Rick Hummel
On a scale of injuries, the right wrist contusion suffered Tuesday night by Cardinals right-hander Jordan Hicks, who has had myriad elbow problems since 2019, doesn’t rank as the most dire thing that’s happened to him. For instance, he lives every day as a Type 1 diabetic.
Still, Hicks, transitioning to the rotation from the bullpen, had to exit his second career start, a 3-0 loss to the New York Mets, probably an inning or two before a pitch count would have hastened that departure. He finished the second inning after taking a Dominic Smith smash just above his wrist. But he retired none of the three hitters he faced in the third, bouncing three consecutive pitches in a walk to New York’s Brandon Nimmo after permitting back-to-back doubles to Jeff McNeil and James McCann, the .125 batter who had three hits on Tuesday.

Hicks, at 42 pitches, was removed, in large part so that he could be evaluated and treated. In fact, X-rays taken at the facilities in Busch Stadium came back as negative and Hicks and manager Oliver Marmol both projected that Hicks could be able to make his next start, which would be Sunday here against Arizona.
It happened so fast, said Hicks, that he didn’t have a chance to get his bare hand out of the way. “I kind of had a total recoil,” he said. “In the moment, I don’t remember trying to stop the ball or anything. It was coming right at me and it was too fast for me to get my glove over.