All posts by Derek Shore

Cover the Springfield Cardinals and Cardinals minor league pipeline for The Cardinal Nation | Freelance sports writer

Molina Begins Short Springfield Rehab

photo: Yadier Molina (Springfield Cardinals)

It is not too often that an eight-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove Award-winning MLB catcher is in a Double-A lineup.

Yadier Molina (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

Yadier Molina, recovering from a traumatic hematoma in the groin area, began the first of his two-game rehab assignment with the Springfield Cardinals on Saturday night.

“For me, it’s a great feeling (to have a prestigious MLB catcher behind the plate),” Springfield manager Johnny Rodriguez said. “It doesn’t happen often when you can say, ‘Well, I managed a game that (Yadier) Molina caught.’ Many people can’t say that.

“It’s a great feeling not just for myself, but the players and the staff. He knows I’m all business. He’s all business. It’s just a great thing for all of us. It’s something you never forget.”

As expected, Molina played half the game for Springfield and took three plate appearances. The first time up, the right-handed hitter, who is looking to regain timing after missing nearly a month, whiffed at two fastballs before flying out to the warning track in right field. Molina batted for the second time in the third and took a 75 mph curveball off his tricep. He ended his night with a sac fly to right center in the fourth.

The next step for Molina before he completes his rehab is a full game on Sunday. If all goes well, he is expected to return and catch Carlos Martinez’s start on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins in St. Louis.

With the big league Cardinals this season, Molina is hitting .272 with six home runs and 17 runs batted in 30 games (of the team’s 55).

Below is a transcript from Molina’s media session conducted after he was lifted from the game on Saturday. In the presser, Molina details what it is like to be back and playing, recovery from a traumatic injury, and much more.

Media Member: How did it feel to be back out there tonight?

Yadier Molina: “Great, awesome. It’s good to be back and be on the field with the team. It felt great (to be back).”

MM: Already knowing that you are going to try to play Tuesday, what are you focusing on these two games in Springfield?

YM: “I’m just trying to get back in shape, like playing shape. I’m trying to see pitches and trying to get the feel back. That’s what I’m focused on and get that feel back.”

MM: You have rehabbed from injuries before, but what has this last month been like? How difficult has it been?

YM: “It’s been so difficult to watch the team on T.V. and you are in your bed and you can do nothing. It’s so difficult, but right now, I feel good. I feel almost 100%. I can’t wait to be back.”

MM: The recovery – from obviously a traumatic injury – was there a lot of pain for you along the way?

YM: “The first couple of weeks was like real pain. Like, I couldn’t move and anything. After the second week, it started getting better. Right now, I don’t feel anything right now. I feel 100%. I’m ready to go.”

MM: How much are you looking forward to your first game back being Carlos (Martinez’s) first game back?

YM: “I’m excited. I can’t wait. Obviously, Carlos is going to pitch on Tuesday. I’m going to try and make it. It’s not official yet, but I’m going to see how I feel tomorrow. I’m going to try and make it. I want to be there for him and the team.”

MM: The National League Central is really tough right now. How excited are you to get back up there and help out with the big league club?

YM: “Like I said, I’m excited to be back and try and help the team win. Obviously, we are win a tough division. Every team is playing good. I’m concentrated on getting back on the field and try to help the team win.”

MM: How did you feel at the plate tonight in terms of your timing?

YM: “Terrible (he said smiling). It is what it is. It’s a part of this (rehab). My first at-bat I felt terrible. The second at-bat I got better and better. Hopefully, tomorrow I feel better because the first at-bat was bad.”

MM: You guys were down here before last season to play the Springfield Cardinals – what is that ovation like before the game walking from the bullpen to the dugout with every fan on their feet?

YM: “Awesome, awesome. I love this place. Every time I come here – it’s good for me. I enjoy coming here. It’s great to see those fans. When I heard that ovation, it made me feel good.”

MM: What can you say about the catchers in St. Louis that have taken your place since you’ve been gone and how they have played?

YM: “I think they have done pretty good. (Francisco) Pena and (Carson) Kelly they have done a pretty good job for us so far. I’m good with that. Pena is good with studying the game. We have talked. One day on the road they called me and I called them. We are on the same page. I feel good when they do good for the team.”
MM: As the team continues to get more healthy, how good can that team up in St. Louis be?

YM: “We’re going to be good. I mean, no doubt about it. We are going to get better. Right now, we have a couple of guys offensively that have been up-and-down, but we just got too many guys hurt. I’ve got no doubt when we get healthy we are going to be in good shape.”

MM: Have you ever seen a month like this at the major league level – when 11 different players hit the disabled list?

YM: “First time. First time I have seen this in 15 years. That is what I can tell you about this organization. One guy goes down, there is another guy that shows up and do good for us. That is why this organization is on the top.”

For more – Catch Derek Shore’s in-depth Springfield Cardinals Notebook, posted each Thursday morning all season long, exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation.

Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase our new 193-page 2018 Prospect Guide for less than half price. Our limited edition printed version is sold out.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

The Cardinal Nation May Pitcher of the Month

photo: Austin Warner (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

This is the final part of The Cardinal Nation’s monthly two-part series as we name our Players and Pitchers of the Month across the St. Louis Cardinals organization. While the Cardinals themselves recognize their top players as well, we undertake our own independent analysis unencumbered by the organization’s selection criteria.

Let’s get right to it with a look at the list of May system-wide pitching leaders.


Warner claims TCN’s top pitching honors

Austin Warner (Andrew Miller/Palm Beach Cardinals)

While a number of starters in the Cardinals system had strong Mays, one hurler distinguished himself from the rest, utilizing a terrific stretch of pitching to get himself on the prospect radar.

Our May Pitcher of the Month is High-A Palm Beach starter Austin Warner, who should also have a strong case to claim the still-to-be-announced Cardinals organization and the Florida State League Pitcher of the Month honors.

Among starters with at least 25 innings pitched, Warner led the Cardinals system with a minuscule 0.91 ERA, finishing second with a 0.84 WHIP and ranking third with 35 punchouts through 29 ⅔ innings hurled for the Beach Birds.

“He’s a hard-working guy who throws strikes,” Cardinals Minor League Pitching Coordinator Tim Leveque told MiLB.com. “He commands his pitches, he gives everything he’s got every time he goes out there.

“However tall you are, however short you are, stuff is stuff. His fastball is upper-80s, low-90s, but he commands it. He’s got a good slider, good curveball and feel for the changeup. He definitely has more than just the fastball.”

Simply put, Warner is a feel-good story. If you haven’t heard it already, he is an undersized non-drafted lefty who was playing for the independent River City Rascals this time last year. The Cardinals signed him and he hasn’t stopped putting up terrific results.

After somewhat of a rocky April (5.66 ERA in four starts), the 23-year old allowed a combined three earned runs over his four starts in May, highlighted by a dominant nine-inning 10-strikeout performance on May 21.

“(I was just) dominating the bottom half of the zone, staying low in the zone (this month),” Warner told MiLB.com. “Earlier in the year, I was not doing that. (I’m) using the fastball a lot and working off that with the changeup, curveball and slider. The curveball, I’ve been using that as a strike more, but not as an out pitch — that’s more the changeup and slider.”

Overall on the season, Warner has compiled a 3-1 record with a 2.86 ERA in eight total starts for Palm Beach. His 51-to-5 strikeout to walk ratio over 50 ⅓ innings stands out especially and it will be interesting to see if he will be able to maintain this pace going forward.

(Though it does not count here, Warner began June with seven more scoreless innings on Friday night.)


Honorable Mentions

Ryan Helsley (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

Runner-up to Warner is TCN’s No. 8 prospect Ryan Helsley, who also had a strong case to be the organization’s top pitcher in May. Had it not been for his so-so start on May 5 with Double-A Springfield, Helsley might have been on the winning side of the spectrum. Regardless, the power armed righty thrived and seems to have ensured his third trip to Triple-A Memphis is the charm.

Following a relatively shaky April, Helsley put it together in May, posting a 2.16 ERA over 33 ⅓ innings pitched between Springfield and Memphis. He also had an impressive 40-to-9 strikeout to walk count with a system-best 0.75 WHIP over five starts.

Casey Meisner (Stockton Ports)

“I felt like I wasn’t pitching terribly (early on),” Helsley said prior to his promotion to Memphis on May 21. “It was a tough start, but I felt like I was executing pitches. There was tough breaks here and there. You just try to stay with the same mind-set. It is a long season. You just got to plug away and stay after it day in and day out. Stay on top of my arm care, stay healthy, and just take the ball every five days.”

TCN’s No. 25 prospect Casey Meisner, acquired in the Josh Lucas trade from Oakland as spring camp ended, had a nice showing in May for Palm Beach. The New York Mets’ 2013 third round pick posted a 1.27 ERA in five starts, striking out 22 batters against 10 walks over 28 ⅓ innings pitched. Meisner also had a 0.95 WHIP and held opposing hitters to a minuscule .168 batting average.

Warner and Meisner are two who could step up to Springfield in the near future, when the need arises.

Dakota Hudson (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

Another arm worth mentioning is power sinker specialist Dakota Hudson, who ranks as TCN’s No. 7 prospect. Hudson boasted a 1.65 ERA through five starts with Memphis while showing more swing and miss stuff (28-to-15 K/BB in 32 ⅔ innings) in the process. The 23-year old could make for a true weapon out of the St. Louis bullpen, depending on the status of the 40-man roster.

TCN’s No. 20 prospect Daniel Poncedeleon continued to excel for Memphis following an outstanding April. The righty made six starts this month with a 3.13 ERA, leading the organization with 42 strikeouts over 31 ⅔ innings pitched and leads the Pacific Coast League in season ERA at 2.48.

A pair of low-A Peoria starters had strong months – Evan Guillory (3.08 with a system-best 38 innings pitched) and Zach Prendergast (3.38 ERA over 24 innings).

Kodi Whitley (St. Louis Cardinals)

At Springfield, TCN’s No. 19 prospect Jake Woodford was perhaps the top performing starter for the S-Cards. He owned a 3.41 ERA over six starts and held a 26-to-10 strikeout to walk in 31 ⅔ innings. His month was highlighted by eight shutout innings against Corpus Christi (HOU) on May 24.

Peoria swingman Kodi Whitley had a 1.69 ERA in eight games (two starts), posting a 17-to-6 strikeout to walk ratio over 21 ⅓ innings pitched.

Last month’s winner continues to perform very well. Former big leaguer and current Memphis closer Preston Guilmet gave up just one earned run over 13 innings (0.69 ERA) while converting six saves in as many May chances. He struck out 13 batters and walked only one in 10 games.


Earlier related articleThe Cardinal Nation May Player of the Month


For more – Catch Derek Shore’s in-depth Springfield Cardinals Notebook, posted each Thursday morning all season long, exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation.

Not yet a member?
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Martinez Ready After Springfield Rehab Tune-Up

photo: Carlos Martinez (Springfield Cardinals)

Carlos Martinez returned to a familiar place for his rehab start on Thursday night.

Martinez was back at Hammons Field, home of the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, where he made his first start since April 29, 2013.

Carlos Martinez (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

A year prior, Martinez was an integral rotation piece in the S-Cards’ 2012 run to their first and only Texas League title in franchise history.

“It’s so exciting to rehab with Springfield and see a lot of fans here,” Martinez said inside the Springfield clubhouse following his outing. “I appreciate all the fans here. I’m so excited and thank you so much to those fans.”

With a 65-70 pitch count set coming into the start, Martinez needed 63 pitches (44 for strikes) to get through four innings of two-run ball against the Corpus Christi Hooks (HOU). The Cardinals rehabbing ace struck out four batters and walked zero on the night.

“I felt pretty good (tonight),” Martinez said, who has been out since May 10 with a right lat strain. “I felt really good on the mound. I’m so excited to come back. I was working with all my pitches today. I felt great.”

Martinez made quick 1-2-3 work of the Corpus Christi offense in the first inning, mixing in an array of pitches that included a sinker at 91-93 mph, cutter at 89 mph, slider at 86 mph, changeup at 84 mph, and curveball at 77 mph.

Then the second inning happened.

The righty labored and served up opposite-field home runs to Randy Cesar and Stephen Wrenn, needing 28 pitches to navigate through the second. He was able to reach back for 96-99 mph heat and snap off several sharp sliders to get out of it. 

“In the first inning, I didn’t want to throw hard,” Martinez said. “I just tried to keep my ball down and in the zone. Just try to feel good with my arm and recover.”

In the third, Martinez worked around a one-out double with a pair of fly outs to avoid further trouble. However, a clean, eight-pitch fourth allowed him to go out and get a chance to go five innings at 60 pitches at that point.

After a leadoff double in the fifth, Springfield manager Johnny Rodriguez made the walk out to the mound and lifted Martinez, who left to a standing ovation.

“They were so loud,” Martinez said. “I know they love me. I think when Yadi comes here – they will be loud and have more fans. When we come here, it is so exciting. We know they got a lot of fans here.”

Martinez, who has a 3-2 record with a 1.62 earned run average in eight major league starts this year, felt like he accomplished what he hoped as he is set to rejoin St. Louis.

“I’m so excited because it is my start after the injury,” Martinez said. “I feel (good) with all my pitches. My arm, I feel, really great. I just hope to be ready for the next start.”

Martinez expects that next start will be on a big league mound with the Cardinals on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins.

“I’m just waiting for another opportunity,” he said.


Other Martinez quotes

On his fast start with the Cardinals prior to the injury: “For me right now, it is being focused. It is being focused on home plate and on the mound. My mind is focused. Last year, I was a little bit down. Right now, I just try to listen to Yadi, be focused on the mound, and don’t care if something happened on the field.

“That has helped me a lot and helped the team. Just keep competing and pitch-by-pitch, I want to win.”

On Yadier Molina coming back: “I’m excited to see Yadi come back because he is the captain. He is the heart of the team. I just hope that he is going to be great again soon. I think he comes back on Tuesday. I hope that he is going to be ready for Tuesday.”

On all the injuries: “I just hope they are going to be ready soon and come back soon, too. I just saw something about Alex Reyes. I pray. I pray a lot because I want to see my guys come back.”

On the team going forward: “I think we are going to be good for September. I think we are going to be ready. When we got all the guys that are hurt (back and healthy), we will be good and ready for the postseason.”


For more – Catch Derek Shore’s in-depth Springfield Cardinals Notebook, posted each Thursday morning all season long, exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation.

Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase our new 193-page 2018 Prospect Guide for less than half price. Our limited edition printed version is sold out.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Reyes Takes Efficiency to New Level, Looks MLB-Ready

photo: Alex Reyes (Springfield Cardinals)

May 29th cannot come soon enough for St. Louis Cardinals top pitching prospect Alex Reyes.

Alex Reyes (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

That is when Reyes is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list and is the potential target date for his return to the big club as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery.

In the meantime, though, Reyes continues to do well in his minor league rehab assignment. Really well.

And he did not disappoint one bit at Double-A Springfield on Saturday night in his third rehab start.

Armed with a fastball that sat consistently at 95-98 mph, Reyes gave up just one hit and tied not only his career high, but also the Springbirds franchise record with 13 strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings. The 23-year old threw 60 of 93 pitches for strikes while issuing just three walks.

“He is ready to pitch in the big leagues,” Springfield manager Johnny Rodriguez said after the game. “The reason I say that is the way he followed up his fastball, then his cutter, then the changeup, and the breaking ball. It is such a long breaking ball at 82-83 with late depth and he’s throwing 97. That is a big separation right there.

“His mound presence. He feels really comfortable. There is not a lot of effort in his delivery. He is really in control. He is ready to go. From what I saw today, he can start every five days in St. Louis, but I don’t know when that is.”

The powerful right-hander, who matched Trey Hearne’s team record for strikeouts, called the outing “very positive”. Reyes has yet to allow an earned run through his three rehab starts (one at High-A Palm Beach, one at Low-A Peoria, and now Springfield). He punched out 31 batters over 16 innings in the span.

While he showed improved pitch efficiency in his Monday start at Peoria compared to his outing for Palm Beach, Reyes took it to another level on Saturday, needing an average of just 12.1 pitches per inning . The 7 2/3 innings is the longest outing of his minor league career.

In fact, Reyes had never pitched into the eighth inning before at any level.

“Just to be able to pitch that deep into the game was exciting,” Reyes said. “That’s my focus every night. That is one of the things throughout my minor league career, and even in the big leagues, is getting deep into games.

“Being able to do that was exciting.”

Reyes’ seventh inning was the highlight of his evening. He struck out the side on 10 pitches, finishing off each hitter with a curveball – two looking and one swinging.

“(The curve ball was effective) the way we set up the hitters,” Reyes said. “Being able to get ahead in the count and just having confidence in it. Being able to put it over the plate.”

All night, Reyes was having success changing speeds, going from a 95 mph heater to an 85 mph changeup, and a 77 mph curveball.

He also flashed an 88-91 mph slider/cutter that broke away from right-handed hitters.

“I got that pitch when I got called up to the big leagues in 2016,” Reyes said. “I have just been able to sharpen it up a little bit.”

Asked what has taken the biggest step forward since he was last at Springfield in 2015, Reyes had a quick response.

“Confidence,” he said. “Confidence in my stuff and knowing that it plays.”

One of Reyes’ final fastballs in the eighth registered 98 mph and he looks more than ready to make a major league impact in the not too distant future. 

“I feel comfortable and my arm feels good,” Reyes said. “Whatever the teams thinks is right, is right.”

His final step is a start with Triple-A Memphis, likely this coming Thursday, May 24.


Tyler Lyons (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

Lyons also gets job done

St. Louis reliever Tyler Lyons, who has been on the DL since May 11 with a back strain, tossed a six-pitch ninth inning to earn the save for Springfield. The lefty threw all six of his pitches for strikes, striking out one batter.

It was a successful initial rehab outing for the 30-year old left-hander.


For more – Catch Derek Shore’s in-depth Springfield Cardinals Notebook, posted each Thursday morning all season long, exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation.

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase our new 193-page 2018 Prospect Guide for less than half price. Our limited edition printed edition is sold out.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kelly Hits Cardinals DL, Replaced by Baron

photo: Carson Kelly (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

Carson Kelly (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s (Thursday’s) game that they have placed catcher Carson Kelly (right hamstring strain) on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to May 16, and purchased the contract of catcher Steven Baron from Memphis (AAA). To make room for Baron on the team’s 40-man Major League roster, the Cardinals transferred right-handed pitcher Adam Wainwright (right elbow inflammation) from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Baron, 27, who was signed as a minor league free-agent last December, will be making his first appearance in the majors since a four-game stint with Seattle in 2015.

The right-handed hitting Baron was batting .153 (9-for-59) in 17 games (17 starts) for Memphis, throwing out four of 10 attempted base-stealers. He has a career .233 batting mark with 29 home runs and 255 RBI in 642 minor league games.

The Cardinals have had five players go on the disabled list in the past week: Carlos Martínez (right lat strain), Tyler Lyons (mid back strain), Adam Wainwright (right elbow inflammation), Luke Gregerson. (right shoulder impingement) and now Kelly.

Baron has been assigned uniform no. 61.


Derek Shore’s take

Steven Baron (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

Just another day, another Cardinals player that hits the shelf.

Kelly is the second catcher (after Yadier Molina) to go down due to injury over the last two weeks.

Baron, who opened the season as the backup catcher to Kelly at Triple-A Memphis, moves up to St. Louis in the corresponding move to replace his former catching mate.

Baron was one of two catchers the Cardinals signed to minor league contracts this past offseason. Francisco Pena was the other, as he broke camp with St. Louis as the backup to Yadier Molina. Now, he looks to receive the lion’s share of time with Kelly out and Baron sliding in as the backup.

The 27-year old Baron was among a number of catchers who scored non-roster invitations to big-league spring training camp. He hit .214 (3-for-14) with a double and two RBI in a dozen games for the Cardinals this spring.

A first-round pick by the Mariners in 2009, Baron methodically worked his way through their system, and made his MLB debut in September 2015. He was returned to Double-A in 2016 and did not make it back to Seattle before being designated for assignment, and subsequently released in November 2016.

The 6-foot, 205-pounder then re-signed with Seattle on a minor league deal for 2017 and spent most of last season at Triple-A. Baron also played in 16 games back in the Texas League, with 2017 his fourth consecutive year having spent time at Double-A.

Entering this season, the right-handed hitter had an aggregate line of .235/.295/.339/.634. Known more for his defense, Baron earned a solid 40.3 percent caught stealing rate over his career.

It should also be noted the Cardinals now have eight players on the disabled list: Kelly, Luke Gregerson, Carlos Martinez, Dominic Leone, Tyler Lyons, Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, and Alex Reyes.


Knizner benefits

Andrew Knizner (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

With Baron up, TCN’s No. 8 prospect Andrew Knizner will get his first taste of the Pacific Coast League, earning a long overdue promotion to Triple-A Memphis from Springfield. Given his prospect status, he should receive everyday duties behind the plate with Jeremy Martinez as the backup. Martinez was promoted to Memphis on May 12.

Simply put, all Knizner has done since entering the pro ranks in 2016 is hit, carrying a career slash line of .312/.381/.476 while improving his defense behind the plate. This season, the 23-year old took his offense to another level, leading the Texas League in April with a .417 average (25-for-60) before slowing to the tune of a .222 average (10-for-45) so far in May.

Overall at Springfield, Knizner was hitting .333 with eight doubles, two homers, and 18 RBI in addition to a superb 11-to-11 strikeout to walk ratio over 27 games. He also posted a solid .878 OPS in 105 at-bats.

Springfield manager Johnny Rodriguez outlined Knizner’s offensive progress two weeks ago.

“He goes so well to right-center,” Rodriguez said. “He just doesn’t try to do too much. When he doesn’t try to do too much, he is going well. When he does try to do too much, he gets pull-happy and a lot of popups. Eventually, he is going to have power to center to right-center and balls are going to have a long way out there.”

Asked at that time if he is ready for the next step, Rodriguez demurred.

“No, he still needs work,” his manager said. “His offensive numbers are really good. He has done his work behind the plate – continue to execute the game plan. I think he still needs more time there behind the plate and continue to develop the approach he has developed so far… take it to another level.”

Originally, the Cardinals were reluctant to promote Knizner to Triple-A as they didn’t want to rush his defensive progress at Double-A. Now, with Kelly out for the foreseeable future at least, it will certainly be interesting to see how Knizner performs at Triple-A.


Corresponding move for Knizner

Springfield’s roster replacement is to be announced. Chris Chinea is the only catcher remaining on the Double-A roster and he has been backing up injured first baseman John Nogowski.

The most obvious candidates to replace Knizner are Jose Godoy or Brian O’Keefe at High-A Palm Beach. At Low-A Peoria, Dennis Ortega, a more well-regarded defensive catcher, perhaps is another candidate, though unlikely.


Godoy to Springfield

Jose Godoy (Palm Beach Cardinals)

Later Thursday afternoon, Springfield announced the addition of Godoy from Palm Beach as Knizner’s replacement. It was the most logical move, but some of the catching transactions lately have been head scratchers.

The 23-year old native of Venezuela was off to a nice start with the bat for the high-A Cardinals with a slash line of .333/.417/.444/.861 in 63 at-bats over 21 games. Godoy spent all of 2017 with Palm Beach and had a very brief one-game cameo with Springfield in 2016. The left-handed hitter’s OPS last season was .691, close to his career .710 mark.

Even before a roster addition to replace him, Palm Beach has both O’Keefe and Ryan McCarvel active to share the catching duties.

(this capsule written by Brian Walton)


For more – Catch Derek Shore’s in-depth Springfield Cardinals Notebook, posted each Thursday morning all season long, exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation.

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase our new 193-page 2018 Prospect Guide for less than half price. Our limited edition printed edition is sold out.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Prospect Watch: Mexico’s Ramon Urias

Photo: Ramon Urias (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)

San Diego Padres 20-year old shortstop Luis Urias emerged as a top prospect two years ago, earning the reputation as one of the minor leagues’ top hitters while showcasing a mastery of the strike zone and bat-to-ball skills which are unmatched.

Urias has drawn comparisons to Placido Polanco, another 5-foot-9 infielder who hit for a high-average over a 16-year big-league career.

“Old style that isn’t appreciated anymore,” one pro scout told the San Diego Tribune. “Gamer, overachiever. Smart, instinctive. Tools are not great but plays above them.”

Likely, Urias will make his big league debut for the Padres at some point this season.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals explored another market last season in their venture to find more future big league talent. They navigated south of the border and found a Mexican infielder with close ties to Luis – his older brother Ramon.

“This wasn’t a guy that we have been on the last four years because that would be a lie,” Cardinals Assistant GM and former Director of International Operations Moises Rodriguez said. “It was not one of those stories where we were following him and kept an eye on him then all of sudden we popped and signed him.

“He really didn’t come into our radar until the last two years and specifically until after he repeated 2015 in 2017.”

Becoming a prospect

A native of Magdalena de Kino, Mexico, Ramon Urias initially signed with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent on December 6, 2010, projecting as a prospect with an average future glove, above-average arm strength, and potential above-average speed. One concern was his bat, which was seen as quick but weak with a 45 placed on the hit tool and 40 on the power.

He spent his first two seasons in professional baseball with the Dominican Summer League Rangers, posting slash lines of .213/.338/.279 and .268/.346/.342 in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

In May 2013, Urias was loaned to Diablos Rojos del México.

“I don’t know (the reason behind it),” Urias said. “I don’t think they had enough room for me. My Mexican team did, so they decided to send me back to Mexico.”

Urias collected only 11 plate appearances in 2013, but put up solid numbers while appearing in 85 games in 2014. He held his own with a .757 OPS at the tender age of 20.

In his third season in the Mexican League, things began to get interesting.

Urias established the offensive side of his game in 2015 with a .907 OPS. He hit .351/.410/.496 while adding power to his profile (career-high 10 home runs), walking 7% of the time with an 11% strikeout rate in a very hitter-friendly league.

Ramon Urias (Diablos Rojos de Mexico)

In fact, his Mexican team, which is located in Mexico City, plays at an elevation 2,000 feet higher than Coors Field in Denver. The competition is considered by Minor League Baseball to be Triple-A quality.

“I just kept working hard and was looking for an opportunity,” Urias said.

After an injury limited him to only 43 games in 2016, the 2017 campaign was his true breakout season.

Urias played in 106 games, came to bat 461 times, and put up a phenomenal .340/.433/.577 slash line, He incorporated even more power with 19 homers, taking advantage of the altitude by putting the ball in the air more frequently. He also had a robust 16.3% strikeout and 8.9% walk rate, a career-high.

“That’s when he sort of opened our eyes again at a fairly young age,” Rodriguez said. “We took notice and we scouted him. We knew defensively he would be able to stay in the middle of the diamond. The bat spoke for itself.

“Repeating what he did in 2015 last year sort of gave us a little more confidence on top of the normal scouting.”

Cardinals increase focus in Mexico

Urias was not the only Cardinals minor league free agent signing this past off-season from Mexico.

Right-handed relief prospect Jesus Cruz, who opened his first year stateside at High-A Palm Beach in 2018, was the other signing made by the organization in its increased focus in the country.

In the past, the international department’s focus has primarily been in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.

Mexico is a place where the Cardinals have been looking at and paying more attention to and covering more in depth the last three-to-four years.

More players are likely to be added from the Mexican League in the next few months.

“First of all, Mexico is a very difficult country to penetrate in terms of baseball coverage, and setting up a local infrastructure to make sure you are evaluating all the players you want to evaluate,” Rodriguez said. “Number one it is big. There is different level leagues from youth leagues all the way to this league where we got Urias from.

“You’re dealing with local teams that reserve and control the players, so when you are negotiating you are dealing with that factor. All that takes time to set up. We’ve been doing so the last five years little by little.

“If you look at our signings, we have been signing a couple more Mexican players every year. I would say it is a country we are very comfortable covering and confident when we acquire somebody we have done all of our homework to do so.”

Returning to affiliated ball

Coming off a Mexican League All-Star season, Urias signed with the Cardinals in January and returns to affiliated ball for the first time since 2012.

“I have been working hard for this the last couple of years and finally I got the opportunity,” Urias said in English with teammate Chris Chinea standing nearby for help. “I am pretty happy for that. Those numbers I put up in Mexico don’t matter now. I just want to be good here and show I can hit and play good baseball. I’m happy for this season.”

Ramon Urias (Springfield Cardinals)

With all of the experience he was able to garner, Urias received one of the most-aggressive assignments for a first-year prospect. He was on Double-A Springfield’s Opening Day roster before an injury to Luke Voit created an opening for him at Triple-A Memphis.

Once Voit came back from an oblique injury on April 19, Urias returned to Springfield, where it appears he will spend the vast majority of his first season in the States.

“The most obvious thing for us was he performed at a really high-level the two years he’s been healthy out of the last three years (in Mexico),” Rodriguez said. “In 2016, he didn’t get a full complement of at-bats. And in 2017, he performed really well at a fairly young age in a league where there is a lot of veterans and pitchers with experience that know what they’re doing.

“The fact that he could play the middle of the infield was attractive. Offensively, he stood out. We thought it could be somebody that could play right at the upper levels at Double-A or Triple-A, specifically in the middle of the field and hold his own with his bat.”

Missing a week after taking 90 plus mph fastball off his helmet on April 24, Urias returned to game action on Thursday night for Springfield.

In a small number of at-bats for the S-Cards, he has flashed his potential already with a four-hit game and his first Double-A home run.

“It is pretty much the same,” Urias replied when asked how the pitching from Mexico compares to the U.S. “There is a couple more miles per hour, but their stuff is good. I’m just learning. I just go out to the field and play hard. I think I can hit and play the game hard.

“(I’m focused) on learning to hit the fastball, the hard fastball. You don’t see 96, 97, 98 too often in Mexico. I just got to learn that and I think I will be good.”

Defensively, Urias, who played mostly shortstop in Mexico, will see time at short, third base, and second for Springfield with a four-man rotation that includes Edmundo Sosa, Tommy Edman, and Darren Seferina.

“I feel most comfortable at shortstop because I played that position most of the time in Mexico. I like playing all three, so I will be good with that.”

Springfield manager Johnny Rodriguez likes what he has seen in Urias despite having a limited look to date.

“He is a smart player,” Rodriguez said. “When you play four years in the Mexican League, you learn. When I got hurt and then I was not drafted, I had to go to South America and play. I played in Venezuela, but I will tell you one thing – when I came back to the States – I thought I was smarter.

“I saw so much breaking balls and they pitched so much behind, so you can always hit a fastball. When they start throwing some stuff at him, he just says, ‘I don’t want that.’ They will come back with a fastball. Then, ‘boom!’ He goes well the other way.

“He is a heady player. His best position is second, but he really can play all three. That is another good sign by the organization to have a player like that. He is very smart.”

Pushing to reach the show

Luis Urias (Rick Scuteri/USA TODAY Sports)

At the start of the season, there was a buzz among scouts that Ramon Urias could be a sleeper in the Cardinals system.

Some even think Ramon could be a better hitter than his younger brother.

“We are close,” Ramon Urias said of Luis. “We are always proud and happy of what we do. We are always going to be proud of each other. We are happy with each other and what we do in our careers.

“We always talk. We are very close.”

Like any minor league prospect, however, his primary goal is to reach the big leagues.

The older brother said it would be even more special when they make their Major League debuts someday.

“That would be awesome,” Ramon said. “For now, we just have to keep working hard and wait for that opportunity.”

For now, Urias will try to carry over his success from Mexico all while approaching his ultimate goal.

“Well, (I want to) put up good numbers, stay healthy, and get closer to (the big leagues) more each day,” Urias said.


For more – Catch Derek Shore’s in-depth Springfield Cardinals Notebook, posted each Thursday morning all season long, exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation.

Special offer – Annual members may purchase the electronic version of The Cardinal Nation’s new 193-page 2018 Prospect Guide for less than half price.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Springfield Cardinals Notebook: 2018 Week 2

The Double-A Springfield Cardinals, after a rocky 1-5 start, are back to .500 after outscoring Midland (OAK) and Frisco (TEX) 45-18 while taking five of six games in the first homestand of 2018. Manager Johnny Rodriguez offers an assessment of his Texas League club and its key players.

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S-Cards Loaded Again with Youth and Experience

photo: Andrew Knizner (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)

The Springbirds flocked to their adopted hometown on Saturday, returning to Springfield following arguably their best regular season by won-loss record in 2017.

Two days later, the Springfield Cardinals hosted their Media Day. As part of the event, the Double-A Cardinals released their (preliminary) Opening Day roster.

The 2018 version of the S-Cards will feature many familiar faces from last year’s club, including a whopping 14 returnees who saw time at Double-A last season.

Ryan Helsley (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

From among those returnees, the team will be led by two of The Cardinal Nation’s top 10 prospects in right-handed pitcher Ryan Helsley (#9) and catcher Andrew Knizner (#8) as well as No. 13 prospect, outfielder Randy Arozarena.

And the Cardinals also feature 11 newcomers, who should soon make their Texas League debuts.

Top arrivals include TCN’s No. 18 prospect, Opening Day starter Jake Woodford, No. 29 prospect Sam Tewes, and 100 mph arm Conner Greene, who was acquired in the Randal Grichuk trade this past offseason.

Jake Woodford (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

“Well, I’ll be honest with you – right from the beginning when we had (Jordan) Hicks in the rotation and Connor Jones in the rotation,” returning Springfield manager Johnny Rodriguez said, “I said to myself, ‘It would be hard to match us anywhere.’ Because you still have Helsley coming back. You have Woodford, who had a real good year last year. Greene came in a trade from Toronto.

“I was excited about that rotation plus the bullpen. Four young guys, who know how to pitch and some returning guys. I said, ‘Right off the bat, we are going to be really good.’ I think we have more power than last year. Younger guys, who have more strength offensively.

“Then we lost Hicks and then we lost Jones. We will see. (Sam) Tewes came up and Ellis came into the rotation. He’s been a great help in the bullpen, who has experience and can spot-start. From that standpoint, we lost a little bit but we will be okay. We got strike-throwers now. We went away from power sinkerballers to strike-throwers.

“So, we got to play defense. It’s a new season. I think the guys that were here last year learned a lot from last year, so that’s going to be helpful. That experience and having that type of record – winning and having success – is going to help,” the second-year manager concluded.

Starters

Conner Greene (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

The tentative rotation includes three who accumulated innings at Double-A in 2017: Helsley, Ellis, and Greene (with Toronto) plus the two newcomers Woodford and Tewes – all right-handers.

As of right now, the projected rotation stacks up with Woodford at No. 1, Helsley at No. 2, Greene at No. 3, Tewes at No. 4, and Ellis at No. 5.

Woodford, a 21-year old, had a solid yet unspectacular year at Palm Beach this past season as some of his numbers in the Florida State League were good (3.10 ERA in 119 innings) while others weren’t eye-popping (1.40 WHIP, 14% strikeout rate).

If his stuff ticks up, perhaps he could become this year’s version of Jack Flaherty. Woodford comes off a solid, though brief showing in big-league camp, throwing three shutout frames.

Helsley, 23, opened the year in high-A Palm Beach last year, where he posted an 8-2 record with a 2.69 ERA in 17 games. Helsley had a 91-to-30 strikeout to walk ratio through 93 2/3 innings hurled. He led the Florida State League in almost every statistical category before being promoted to Double-A Springfield in July.

At Springfield, Helsley made the most of his six starts with a 2.67 ERA, boasting an impressive 41-to-15 strikeout to walk count in 33 2/3 innings against Texas League hitters and he even received a taste of Triple-A Memphis by season’s end.

Cardinals officials say there is a chance he is given a cameo out of the big-league Cardinals ‘pen at some point in 2018 as well. Helsley was one of the later cuts in major-league camp for St. Louis this spring.

Greene, a 22-year old, had suffered his bumps at the Double-A level, particularly last year. The powerful righty, who has a fastball that can reach triple-digits, struggled with a 5-10 record and 5.29 ERA at New Hampshire in the Eastern League in 2017.

Controlling and commanding his blistering stuff will also be a big key to his success. Greene had a 92-to-83 strikeout to walk count in 132 2/3 innings.

Sam Tewes (Palm Beach Cardinals)

Tewes, a 23-year old, had a successful first full season of pro ball last year after his debut was delayed due to Tommy John surgery. He made seven starts for the Spikes, compiling a 3.83 ERA while notching a 31-to-7 strikeout to walk ratio in 42 1/3 innings and was promoted to low-A Peoria on July 31.

Tewes made just one start with the Chiefs in which he hurled seven innings before he was promoted again, back to Palm Beach. While he didn’t strike out a ton of batters, the righty flashed terrific efficiency, which allowed him to pitch deep into games. With the Beach Birds, Tewes threw two seven-inning shutouts and also went eight innings in one of his starts. He put together a 3.09 ERA in 10 games (six starts) at Palm Beach.

Ellis, a 25-year old, was acquired in the Jaime Garcia trade from the Braves in December of 2016.  The righty had his moments through his 15 starts (17 games) with Springfield last year, boasting a 4.45 ERA through 99 innings after being sent down from Memphis at the end of May.

Relievers

Ian McKinney (Palm Beach Cardinals)

The bullpen includes five right-handed arms and three lefties. Ian McKinney is one among the latter. He returns to the Texas League after struggling in limited action last year before recovering at high-A Palm Beach.

McKinney, 23, had a 5.16 ERA in 14 games (two starts) last year. He had an 11-to-10 strikeout to walk over 22 2/3 innings. With the Beach Birds, the southpaw improved significantly, posting a 2.02 ERA with four saves in 49 innings hurled. He had a 48-to-24 strikeout to walk count.

The other two lefties are Brady Bowen and Jacob Evans. Bowen looks to get his first extended opportunity at Double-A. He appeared in one game with Springfield last year, tossing 2 1/3 shutout innings. Overall, Bowen had a 2.77 ERA with five saves in seven chances across three levels in 2017, posting a 61-to-16 K/BB.

Evans, a 24-year old, excelled at two stops last year, compiling a 2.16 ERA in 30 games. He had a 48-to-14 strikeout to walk total over 41 2/3 innings. Evans is one to watch as a future major league lefty reliever with two effective breaking balls – slider and curveball, ala Tyler Lyons.

The righty relievers include returnees Landon Beck and Tyler Bray in addition to Latins Hector Mendoza, Estarlin Arias, and Ramon Santos.

Landon Beck (Palm Beach Cardinals)

Beck, who had it not been for a rough final week of the season (ERA ballooned from 3.16 on August 28 to 3.76 by September 4), would have arguably been the top reliever on last year’s team.  Beck was one of Rodriguez’s most dependable back-end relievers, notching six saves in nine opportunities. The righty also posted a 44-to-17 strikeout to walk ratio over 40 2/3 innings.

One of the unsung heroes in the bullpen’s late-season resurgence was TCN’s 2017 Springfield Reliever of the Year Bray. The side-winding righty tied for first in appearances (37), leading all S-Cards relievers with a perfect 8-0 record, 52 2/3 innings hurled, and 10 holds. Bray finished second with a 2.91 ERA, posting a 46-to-29 strikeout to walk ratio while converting two saves in three chances.

Both righties figure into Springfield’s late-inning plans, particularly for closing opportunities.

Hector Mendoza (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

Mendoza, a 24-year old, was an under-the-radar signing by the organization last summer from Cuba. He struggled in his transition to pro ball, posting a 4.91 ERA over a combined 22 games between the Dominican Summer League Cardinals and Palm Beach last year. He also had a 37-to-16 K/BB and is one to keep a close eye on in his first full season stateside in 2018.

Coming off a fantastic 2017 campaign in which culminated with TCN’s Palm Beach Reliever of the Year honor, Arias is looking to replicate his results from the lower levels at Springfield this year. The Dominican compiled a 2.18 ERA in 38 games between low-A Peoria and Palm Beach last year. He fanned 53 batters against just 14 free passes over 45 1/3 innings.

Arias could also get some high-leverage opportunities for the S-Cards after notching seven saves in nine chances in 2017.

Santos, a 23-year old, got off to a good, but not great to the season out of the Peoria bullpen (3.54 ERA in 11 games) last year. He was promoted to Palm Beach in mid-May. After 21 mostly rough relief outings in the Florida State League (5.86 ERA), the Cardinals moved the Dominican Republic native into the rotation.

Over six starts, the sinker-curveball specialist looked like a whole different player, cutting his walk rate, increasing his strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs over 36 1/3 innings (though seven more were unearned).

Catchers

Jeremy Martinez (State College Spikes)

The Cardinals will be carrying two catchers with the catching corps – Knizner and Cardinals 2016 fourth round draft pick Jeremy Martinez.

With Carson Kelly ahead of him at Memphis, Knizner is blocked from moving up despite his excellent 2017 season with Springfield capped by a strong Arizona Fall League performance and showing in big-league camp. He will undoubtedly receive the lion’s share of the time at catcher for the S-Cards to open the season with the focus on continuing to improve defensively.

Martinez will serve as the backup while Chris Chinea has experience at the position as well. He could step in anytime and don the tools of ignorance as well as cover first base.

Infield

Edmundo Sosa (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

The six-man infield includes a mix of returning and fresh faces.

The star of the group is 40-man roster shortstop Sosa, who will look to bounce back offensively following an injury-plagued 2017. In fact, the 22-year old showed an improved power stroke this spring and Cardinals officials think he is primed for a big 2018, assuming he stays healthy.

The roster also features a pair of smallish, but potential high on-base, basestealing threats in Darren Seferina and Tommy Edman. A possible sleeper in the middle infield is Ramon Urias, brother of Padres top prospect Luis, who signed this spring after tearing up the Mexican League.

Rodriguez said there will be a rotation of all these middle infielders to ensure each receive at-bats and get reps in the infield.

At first base, it seems Chinea and John Nogowski will be in a platoon.

Outfielders

Lane Thomas (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Including Arozarena, Springfield has four outfielders listed on its initial roster.

The other outfielders include Lane Thomas, Granden Goetzman, and Victor Roache. Arozarena and Thomas have experience in all three outfield positions while Goetzman and Roache have played the vast majority of their time in left field.

Thomas is an interesting player to watch, acquired from the Blue Jays for international cap money last summer and with good all-around tools. He projects as a tweener in the outfield, but scouts see him as a big-league prospect.

Goetzman and Roache are both minor league free agent signings. The former comes from the Rays organization with a career slash line of .245/.290/.363/.653. The latter, a former first round pick of the Brewers, is packed with power but struggles to make consistent contact.

It is also worth noting that Nogowski worked in the outfield during the Arizona Fall League last year, so there is a chance he might get a shot out there as well.

Conclusion

So, that concludes our look at the new version of the 2018 Springfield Cardinals, a club with versatility, experience, and upside in its pitching corps and a potentially speedy offense as they seek to zoom towards the first half title in the Texas League North.

It is safe to say the S-Cards are ready to get things going.

“As far as our team, we have a good group of guys,” Knizner said. “We have experienced guys that have been on the team last year. A lot of returning starters coming back and then some new guys that are going to come in and fill the holes that are left by guys moving up to Triple-A or were traded.

“I think we have a good group. I’m looking forward to the season.”

With Woodford on the mound, Springfield will open the new season on the road against the Midland Rockhounds (OAK) on Thursday, April 5.

“It’s definitely an honor to be named Opening Day starter,” Woodford said. “You just try and prepare like you always prepare. I’m just excited to go out and compete. Get the season rolling.”

The start of the first homestand of 2018 is scheduled a week later on Thursday, April 12 versus the Rockhounds once again.

I will be back this season with my weekly notebooks from Hammons Field covering the Springfield Cardinals. I also hope to contribute interviews on occasion, all for members of The Cardinal Nation.

Stay tuned for more full-season roster information over the next week here at The Cardinal Nation.

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Not Official St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Rosters

Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase our new 193-page 2018 Prospect Guide for less than half price. Our limited edition printed edition is sold out.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Net Outfield Power Bat For Valera

photo: Johan Mieses (Rick Scutieri/USA TODAY Sports)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have acquired minor league outfielder Johan Mieses from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for infielder Breyvic Valera who the team had designated for assignment last week. Mieses will be assigned to the Palm Beach Cardinals roster of the Florida State League (A).

Mieses, 22, and a native of the Dominican Republic, was an international free-agent signee by the Dodgers who debuted in the Dominican Summer League in 2013.

The 6-2, 185-pound Mieses led the California League (A) with 28 home runs in 2016 for Rancho Cucamonga to go along with his 31 doubles (T6th) and a .510 slugging pct. (7th), earning league post-season All-Star recognition.

The right-handed hitting Mieses has compiled a career .245 batting mark with 68 HR’s and 207 RBI in 411 games in the minor leagues. He combined for 24 home runs in 2017 between Tulsa (AA) and Rancho Cucamonga.

Derek Shore’s take

Another day, another minor league outfield acquisition added to the Cardinals pipeline in Johan Mieses.

Johan Mieses (Rick Scutieri/USA TODAY Sport)

Mieses is a right-handed masher through and through. The 22-year old made his pro debut in 2013 with the DSL Dodgers. He advanced his way to full-season ball in the states two years later following a terrific 2014 campaign.

The next year, though, Mieses’ prospect status soared, when he paced the California League in home runs. He also drove in 78  while posting a .247/.314/.510 slash line in 122 games with Rancho Cucamonga. With the power, however, came plenty of swing and miss to the tune of a 147-to-36 strikeout to walk count.

Mieses entered 2017 as the Dodgers No. 15 ranked prospect, according to Baseball America. He opened the year at Double-A Tulsa where he failed to make enough contact to tap into his plus raw power consistently (.160 average in 90 games with a 116-to-27 K:BB).

On June 29, the Dodgers demoted him to high-A where he played up to the lower-level competition thanks to more consistent hard contact. Mieses has a .353 average with a 1.118 OPS over 28 games.

A month later, Mieses returned to Double-A and again struggled, going 14-for-77 (.172) with six of his 14 hits for extra-bases. On a positive note, Mieses finished strongly in September, collecting six hits in his final 14 at-bats.

It is also worth noting that Mieses was briefly in MLB camp this spring, where he had a single, double and RBI in three at-bats.

From a scouting standpoint, Mieses is truly a one-dimensional player – with power being his carrying tool. He is described as a “high-volatility” prospect by scouts with an above-average ceiling if everything comes together. However, with his extremely unrefined approach (33% career K rate), his chances of reaching that is small unless major improvements occur with the Cardinals.

Scouts say he plays all-out with straight-line speed coupled with a cannon for an arm which gives him a shot at projecting for a utility role in all the three outfield positions. He profiles as a lefty-masher with a fourth-outfielder profile at best.

With the Cardinals, Mieses joins an abundance of outfielders between high-A and Double-A, most of them right-handed hitting like him. This explains his assignment to the lower level even though he spent the majority time at the higher last year.

Here’s how the Double-A and high-A outfields might stack up following the addition of Mieses:

Springfield outfield:

– Thomas Spitz, Lane Thomas, Granden Goetzman, and Victor Roache.

Palm Beach outfield:

– Shane Billings, J.B. Woodman, Chad Pinder, and Mieses.

Breyvic Valera (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

Valera, 26, has been in the Cardinals system for a long time, signing out of Venezuela in 2010.

Coming off a 2016 season in which his prospect status was reinvigorated as he hit a robust .341 at Triple-A Memphis, Valera followed with perhaps an even stronger 2017. His season was capped by making his big-league debut on September 5 before returning to Memphis a week later to help win the Pacific Coast League title.

Prior to the trade, Valera was in the mix to be a utility player for the Cardinals, barring injury. The emergence of Yairo Muñoz led to him becoming expendable. He was designated for assignment on Wednesday.

For more

The entire system view by level and position as last season ended with every transaction all year long is available via the Roster Matrix, always free, right here at The Cardinal Nation.

Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2018 Prospect Guide PDF version for less than half price. Our limited edition printed and bound Guide is now sold out.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Acquire Meisner From A’s For Lucas

photo: Casey Meisner (Oakland Clubhouse/Melissa Lockard)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired right-handed pitcher Casey Meisner (MIZE-ner) from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Josh Lucas.

Meisner, 22, was originally a 3rd round draft pick by the New York Mets out of Cypress Woods (Texas) High School in 2013.  On July 27, 2015, Meisner was traded to the Athletics for RHP Tyler Clippard and cash considerations.

The 6-foot-7 hurler is a two-time minor league All-Star, once in the South Atlantic League in 2015 and again in the hitter-friendly California League in 2017.  He finished the 2017 season with Midland (AA) of the Texas League.

Over a five-year minor league career, Meisner has compiled a 30-34 record with 3.66 ERA over 85 career starts (104 appearances) covering 491.2 innings pitched with 425 strikeouts.

Last season, Meisner was 10-9 with a 4.04 ERA over 24 starts (28 appearances) between Stockton (A) and Midland.  He ranked in the Top 10 among all Athletics minor league pitchers in wins (10, 3rd), innings pitched (133.2, 5th), strikeouts (117, 7th) and ERA (4.04, 9th).

In 2015, Meisner ranked 13th in all of Minor League Baseball with 13 wins and T-5th in Single-A while pitching for Savannah (A), St. Lucie (A) and Stockton (A).  He was a two-time Pitcher of the Week in 2017, once in the California League and again in the Texas League.  He has three double-digit strikeout games among his pitching accolades.

Lucas, 27, made five Major League appearances for the Cardinals in 2017 and led the Cardinals farm system with 17 saves in Memphis (AAA).

Meisner will be assigned to Springfield (AA).

Derek Shore’s take

In the aftermath of Jordan Hicks’ addition to the 40-man roster, Lucas was designated for assignment on Wednesday to make room for Hicks. Three days later, TCN’s No. 43 prospect was traded to Oakland for their No. 27 prospect Casey Meisner, according to both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America.

Casey Meisner (Stockton Ports)

Meisner, who was not on Oakland’s 40-man at the time of the trade, has experienced a myriad of peaks and valleys in his professional career. When he joined the A’s organization in July of 2015, the righty was seen as a potential top 10 prospect at that time in the Clippard deal.

Meisner got off to an excellent start with Oakland, posting a 2.78 ERA in seven starts with High-A Stockton after the trade. In fact, he was coming off a stellar start to the season with the Mets, putting together ERAs of 2.13 and 2.89 in Low-A and High-A prior to the trade.

Entering the 2016 campaign, Meisner appeared on a number of A’s top-10 prospects list, per some publications. Oakland Clubhouse said that some predicted he would jump to Double-A to start 2016, but he returned to Stockton where he started the year with a 0-11 record and finished the season with a 1-14 W-L and a 4.85 ERA.

It appeared at the start of the 2017 season, there would be more of the same from Meisner. He jumped out of the gates with an 8.84 ERA through his first 18 1/3 innings, but Oakland Clubhouse reported his coaches felt he was pitching better than his results indicated.

Meisner started to improve with the warmer weather in May and posted a 2.70 ERA with a 37-to-9 strikeout to walk. Even better, he had a 2.05 ERA and 27-to-7 strikeout to walk in June before a promotion to the Texas League on June 26.

“I think sometimes the grind is better than the promotion,” Oakland Director of Player Development Keith Lieppman told Oakland Clubhouse. “Working through things. Getting yourself to a place where you have to continue to battle and fight your way out. That’s what he did. The promotion came after he exhibited the ability to use his pitches to limit the number of walks – that’s always been an issue with him – and compete.

“He’s gone out there and done that. He’s certainly better. Sometimes it is better to work through a problem and really solve it before you prematurely send him and he has to work through it all again [at the next level]. I think he has improved quickly this (past) year and I think that experience helped him.”

Meisner concluded the season with a 4.04 ERA and a 117-to-47 strikeout to walk in 133 2/3 innings hurled. The Oakland Clubhouse said his command significantly improved with Stockton last year, but faltered again in Midland,  especially early in his stint with the Rockhounds. Though, once he acclimated to Double-A and got more comfortable, Meisner attacked the strike more aggressively and garnered success.

Standing at a whopping 6-foot-7, Meisner has struggled with his mechanics throughout his career, especially with his landing leg. Per Oakland Clubhouse, A’s coaches worked with him to make several adjustments to get him more online to home plate and take advantage of his length. The publication said he looked smoother and more confident as the 2017 season went on.

Command is also an issue for  Meisner, who sits mostly in the low-90s range but he can bump it up to 95 mph occasionally. He has a good mix of secondary pitches that include a changeup, cutter, curveball, and slider. His change flashes plus, but both of his breaking balls and command remain below-average.

Not only did he show an improved ability to be aggressive in the strike zone, but the A’s liked the mental fortitude he showcased to bounce back from a poor 2016 and finish strong at Double-A despite a rocky transition to the level.

Despite the recovery, Meisner went through the December 2017 Rule 5 Draft unclaimed.

Meisner projects as a fifth-starter/swingman type. While he was assigned to Springfield, Cardinals General Manager Michael Girsch told Fox Sports Midwest he will work with the organization’s pitching coaches in Jupiter, Florida before being sent out to an affiliate.

“We got a big right-hander,” Girsch told the telecast on Saturday. “He’s a young guy. He was a high school draft pick, so he’s been around for awhile. We’re excited to have him. He’s a 6-foot-7 guy with some potential. We’re excited to have the potential for another good arm.”

Josh Lucas (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

In Lucas, the Cardinals lose a longtime relief stalwart, who has notched 49 saves in 60 career opportunities over his six seasons in the organization.

Lucas made his major-league debut on August 19, throwing two innings of one-run ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates. During a couple of brief recalls, he worked 7 ⅓ innings in five appearances and gave up three earned runs.

He was expected to be one of the primary arms on the I-55 corridor this season. Instead, Lucas will be with the Athletics and start his career with them at Triple-A Nashville.

For more

The entire system view by level and position as last season ended with every transaction all year long is available via the Roster Matrix, always free, right here at The Cardinal Nation.

Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2018 Prospect Guide PDF version for less than half price. Our limited edition printed and bound Guide is now sold out.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 3/27/18

The Cardinal Nation’s 10th year of providing results and much more from St. Louis Cardinals minor league spring training games continues. Again this year, I am joined in these recaps by TCN’s Publisher and editor Brian Walton.

The Astros were the opponent as the Cardinals split four games with the upper-level affiliates being the only squads to prevail on Tuesday. Memphis and Springfield played the role of road warrior, winning at West Palm Beach while Palm Beach and Peoria lost at the George Kissell Quad in Jupiter.

Once again this spring, Cardinals Baseball Operations Coordinator for Player Development Tony Ferreira is sharing highlights from minor league spring training contests.

The raw data is his, but the comments and awards are mine. However, be aware that only minimal pitching and hitting results are being shared – what you see here. So to find those struggling, you will have to look for names missing or make some guesses.

Remember these working team assignments are fluid by the day. In addition, another nine players have yet to be cut from Major League camp.

Perhaps the biggest news of the day, though, was the promotion of hotshot prospect Jordan Hicks to St. Louis, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Hicks is expected to open the season on their Opening Day roster and figure into the team’s late-inning relief plans.

When players are members of The Cardinal Nation Top 50 Prospect List for 2018, their rankings are noted.

Tuesday’s Hitter of the Day: Edmundo Sosa, Springfield

Edmundo Sosa (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

TCN’s No. 22 prospect Sosa edged out No. 19 prospect Oscar Mercado for Tuesday’s Hitter of the Day honor. While both went a perfect 4-for-4 on the day, the former finished with a big two-homer game and came around to score three times.

For Sosa, 22, health has been the biggest culprit in his fall as a prospect over the last two years. He missed a pivotal month of development time at high-A Palm Beach in his first full season in 2016 after a season-ending wrist injury. Sosa opened 2017 back at Palm Beach, where he held his own to the tune of a .272/.315/.342 slash line with 12 RBI in 42 games before another injury cost him two weeks.

On June 16, the day he was activated off the disabled list, the shortstop was pulled from the game and it was later discovered he suffered yet another setback. He missed nearly two months of the season with a broken left hamate and finished the year with the Beach Birds, playing in only nine games.

Fortunately, Sosa put together a solid Arizona Fall League to make up for lost time. His multi homer-game on Tuesday is a good sign he has regained hand strength back following an injury that tends to sap a player’s power.

Sosa should be in Springfield’s Opening Day lineup come next week. Victor Roache is also an Honorable Mention with Mercado.

Tuesday’s Pitcher of the Day: Brett Seeburger, Peoria

Brett Seeburger (Johnson City Cardinals)

Seeburger tossed four scoreless frames for Peoria on Tuesday to earn TCN’s Pitcher of the Day honor. The 23-year old lefty made his pro debut at Rookie League Johnson City last year, compiling a 1-0 record with a 2.33 ERA in 12 games (two starts). Seeburger also posted a 28-to-3 strikeout to walk through 27 innings hurled.

The Cardinals 10th round draft pick last summer features a repertoire that consists of a sinker, changeup, and a slurvy type breaking ball.  He may open the season at either low-A Peoria or in extended spring training.

Honorable mentions go to starters Daniel Poncedeleon, Evan Kruczynski, and Ronnie Williams.

For more, The Cardinal Nation members can check out the full list of minor league spring training attendees and minor league spring training game schedules.

Ahead – exclusively for TCN members – is Brian Walton’s annual pre-Opening Day series in which he predicts the opening rosters for all four full-season minor league affiliates and explains why. St. Louis was posted previously, with the others to follow. The St. Louis roster prediction article is free for all readers and Memphis was posted this morning for members.

If you are not yet a member of The Cardinal Nation, join now and order our first-ever Prospect Guide at less than half price.

The entire system view by level and position as last season ended with every transaction all year long is available via the Roster Matrix, always free, right here at The Cardinal Nation.

Memphis (7-3-1) 8 at Fresno 4

Memphis pitching:

  • Daniel Poncedeleon – 5 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K – still shaking off the rust in live game action after his tragic accident last May. Stuff of a starter, but profiles best as a reliever with his funky delivery.

Memphis hitting:

  • Oscar Mercado – 4-for-4, 3 R, 2 2B, RBI, BB – one of the later spring cuts from big-league camp. Looks to be Memphis’ everyday center fielder.
  • Harrison Bader – 2-for-4, R, 2 2B, K – beaten out by spring sensation Yairo Munoz for a 25-man roster spot, but had a solid March himself. Should see time at all three outfield spots for the Redbirds – similar to the role he should serve with St. Louis at some point.
  • Luke Voit – 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K – Grandma Joan will need to break out the purse again. Has three homers over his last two spring games.

Springfield (7-3-1) 10 at Corpus Christi 5

Springfield pitching:

  • Evan Kruczynski – 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, K – Cardinals ninth-round pick in 2017, who did well at low-A Peoria in his draft year. Described as a competitor, whose stuff plays above his scouting report.

Springfield hitting:

  • Edmundo Sosa – 4-for-4, 3 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI – See above for more.
  • Victor Roache – 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, K – Power-packed hitter with plenty of strikeouts in his profile. He should be among a number of outfielders contending for at-bats at Springfield in 2018.

Palm Beach (6-3-1) 1 vs. Buies Creek 4

Palm Beach pitching:

  • Ronnie Williams – 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER – Cardinals second round pick in 2014, who received a bonus of over $800,000. Went unranked in TCN’s 2018 Top Prospect rankings for the first time in his pro career. Will need to improve on a 6.94 ERA at low-A Peoria from last season.
  • Eric Carter – 1 IP, H, 2 K – burly-built late-inning reliever, who has dominated with eight strikeouts per nine innings in his brief pro career. Had a cameo at Springfield to finish 2017 and could open up there to start this year.

Palm Beach hitting:

  • Stefan Trosclair – 2-for-3, R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB – versatile infielder had a breakout year in his first full season with a .272/.374/.458 slash line. The 2017 Peoria Chiefs MVP will look to be a middle-of-the-order staple for Palm Beach’s offense this year.

Peoria (4-4-4) 3 vs. Quad Cities 4

Peoria pitching:

  • Brett Seeburger – 4 IP, 5 H, BB, 2 K – See above for more.
  • Cory Malcom – 1 IP, BB, 2 K – non-drafted free agent signee last summer out of Arkansas – Little Rock. Made his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League.

Peoria hitting:

  • Elehuris Montero – 2-for-4, R, K – intriguing teenage Latin prospect with a stellar stateside debut in the GCL last summer. TCN’s No. 36 prospect for 2018. Is he a candidate for Peoria to begin the year?
  • Bryce Denton – 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, K – TCN’s No. 42 prospect, who hopes to stick around at Peoria for a full-season.

Wednesday’s games: The Mets will be the Wednesday opponent, with Memphis and Springfield at home,  their games held at the George Kissell Quad in Jupiter. Palm Beach and Peoria will be on the road, playing at West Palm Beach.

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Cardinals Welcome 181 to 2017 Minors Camp

 Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2018 Prospect Guide PDF version for less than half price. Our limited edition printed and bound Guide is now sold out.

Follow Derek Shore on Twitter @D_Shore23.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.