All posts by Brian Walton

Brian Walton runs The Cardinal Nation, covering the St. Louis Cardinals and minor league system.

Cardinals Minors Spring Game Highlights – March 15-16, 2024

photo: Jacob Buchberger (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Selected St. Louis Cardinals-provided stats from the organization’s first two days of minor league spring training games played on Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16. Our Players of the Day are Jacob Buchberger and Chen-Wei Lin.

On Friday, March 15, the Cardinals held their first games against external competition, meeting their Marlins counterparts with two games held on the back fields of the Roger Dean Complex in Jupiter. On Saturday, the Washington Nationals were the opponents in four contests. The Cardinals went 2-3-1 overall.

Cardinals Media Relations provide selected stats from these games as detailed below. Notes and Players of the Day come from The Cardinal Nation.

Remember that in this phase of camp, the Cardinals label their teams “Working Groups”, an important reminder that these rosters are written in pencil and change regularly. When players are cut from St. Louis, others are moved down accordingly.

Friday, March 15, 2024

With the first Spring Breakout Game on Friday, only two minor league teams played simultaneously on the back fields in Jupiter. They were home games for Memphis (loss) and Springfield (tie).

Memphis Redbirds (2) vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MIA) (6)

RHP Trent Baker (TCN prospect no. 30)
3.0 IP – 2 H – 2 ER (2-R HR) – 1 BB – 5 SO (Innings 1-3)

SS Brody Moore
1-1, 2B

C Aaron McKeithan
0-2, SF RBI

Springfield Cardinals (1) vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos (MIA) (1)

RHP José Dávila
2.0 IP – 3 H – 1 ER – 0 BB – 3 SO (Innings 1-2)

RHP Gustavo Rodriguez
2.0 IP – 2 H – 0 R – 1 BB – 4 SO (Innings 5-6)

SS Miguel Villarroel (Rule 5)
1-1, BB

2B Dakota Harris
1-2, 2B

C Luis C. Rodriguez
0-1, 2 BB

3B Trey Paige
1-1, SF RBI

C Carlos Linarez
1-2, BB

Saturday, March 16, 2024

The Cardinals teams went 2-2 on Saturday against their Washington Nationals counterparts. Peoria and Palm Beach were at home.

Memphis Redbirds (9) at Rochester Red Wings (WSH) (3)

Note that former LH starter Connor Thomas is now working in long relief. Though off the 40-man roster, Thomas began the spring in St. Louis’ camp.

Leonardo Taveras, 25, is coming off an 80-game suspension assessed last June when he was assigned to High-A Peoria.

LHP Alex Cornwell (TCN no. 35)
3.0 IP – 5 H – 1 R – 1 BB – 1 SO (Innings 1-3)

LHP Connor Thomas (TCN no. 37)
2.0 IP – 0 H – 0 R – 0 BB – 2 SO (Innings 7-8)

LHP Leonardo Taveras (TCN no. 43)
1.0 IP – 0 H – 0 R – 0 BB – 2 SO (Inning 9)

OF Bryan Torres (indy acquisition)
1-2, 2-R HR, 2 BB, 2 R

OF Moisés Gómez (TCN no. 22)
1-4, 3-R HR

3B Matt Lloyd (free agent signing)
2-2, 2B, R

1B Chandler Redmond (TCN no. 46)
1-2, 3-R HR, BB

Springfield Cardinals (6) at Harrisburg Senators (WSH) (4)

RHP Inohan Paniagua (TCN no. 27)
3.0 IP – 0 H – 0 R – 0 BB – 4 SO (Innings 1-3)

RHP Joseph King
2.0 IP – 3 H – 1 R (0 ER) – 0 BB – 3 SO (Innings 6-7)

Jacob Buchberger

TCN Player of the Day – 1B Jacob Buchberger
3-4, 3-R HR

Buchberger was a STEP Camp attendee this spring and has also appeared in two games with St. Louis. The 26-year-old singled, doubled and struck out in four plate appearances with the big club and carried that over to a three-hit Saturday that included a three-run blast.

OF Won-Bin Cho (TCN no. 12)
1-2, BB, HBP

C Luis C. Rodriguez
0-1, 2 BB

3B Trey Paige
1-1, SF RBI

C Carlos Linarez
1-2, BB

Peoria Chiefs (2) vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks (WSH) (12)

SS Anyelo Encarnacion
1-2, BB

DH Maikel Hernandez
1-3, HR

Palm Beach Cardinals (1) vs. Fredericksburg Nationals (WSH) (3)

Chen-Wei Lin

TCN Pitcher of the Day – RHP Chen-Wei Lin
3.0 IP – 0 H – 0 R – 1 BB – 6 SO (Innings 1-3)

Lin, signed last July for around $500,000, hails from Taiwan. The 22-year-old right-hander debuted with Palm Beach and posted a 6.06 ERA in six starts.

3B Raul Guzman
1-2, 2B, R

DH Maikel Hernandez
1-3, HR

INF Samil De La Rosa
1-3, RBI 2B

Next games

Sunday and Monday are Camp Days, during which Memphis faces Springfield and Peoria and Palm Beach face off. Games should begin at 1:00 p.m. ET at the George Kissell Quad in Jupiter, but always watch the weather.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Third Cuts of Camp Include Four Top Starters


Now available – 2024 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide is back for its seventh year. It includes 282 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of new scouting reports and much more.

Order TCN’s 2024 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Guide


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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com or for fastest turnaround, pose your questions on The Cardinal Nation’s members-only forum. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Farm System Drops from Consensus Top 10 to Bottom Third

In 12 months, the St. Louis Cardinals system dropped from a top 10 system to the bottom third. Yes, Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, Matthew Liberatore and Ivan Herrera graduated, but the organization added nine prospects in trade in July. As the NL Central division gap increases, this is the worst showing for the organization in 14 years.

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Cardinals Make Second Cuts of Spring 2024

photo: Adam Kloffenstein (Memphis Redbirds)

St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Friday, March 8) that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 56 players, optioning right-handed pitcher Adam Kloffenstein to the Memphis (AAA) roster and re-assigning non-roster pitcher Cooper Hjerpe to minor league camp.

Adam Kloffenstein

The team currently has 39 Major League roster players and 17 non-roster invitees remaining in its Major League camp.

Brian Walton’s take

As noted, Memphis starter Kloffenstein is the first 40-man player from the full roster to be optioned out this spring. In four innings over two appearances, the right-hander allowed two runs on four hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

Cooper Hjerpe

In his only spring outing, Hjerpe tossed two hitless, scoreless innings with two walks and four strikeouts. The 22-year-old lefty, who pitched at High-A Peoria last season, was one of the least experienced players in St. Louis’ camp and is the 11th NRI to be sent down so far this spring.

On The Cardinal Nation’s Top Prospect List for 2024, Hjerpe is ranked no. 7 and Kloffenstein is no. 17. Once the season opens, Hjerpe may be in the Springfield rotation, though he could return to the Chiefs for a period as he was limited to eight starts in 2023 due to injury. Kloffenstein will rejoin Memphis, the club he joined after the July 30 Jordan Hicks trade with Toronto.

For more

To see all players in the system by level and position plus every transaction all year ‘round, check out the always free Roster Matrix here at The Cardinal Nation, refreshed today.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals 2024 Minor League Spring Training Roster Analysis


Now Available – 2024 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2024 Prospect Guide is back for its seventh year. It includes 282 pages of in-depth commentary about more than five dozen of the best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including in-depth scouting reports, 2023 recap, extensive draft and international histories and more.

Special half-price off deal for paid subscribers. Order your PDF or printed book copy today.

Order TCN’s 2024 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Guide


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.

Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com or for fastest turnaround, pose your questions on The Cardinal Nation’s members-only forum. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Spring Breakout Roster Announced

A new event for 2024 (and hopefully beyond) is MLB Spring Breakout, a series of games pitting the best prospects from all 30 organizations against their peers.

All teams in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues will compete in the events during the period of Thursday, March 14 through Sunday, March 17.

The games

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of two teams selected to play two Spring Breakout contests due to the uneven number of organizations that train in Florida and Arizona (15 each).

On Friday, March 15 at 2:05 p.m. ET, Cardinals and Marlins prospects meet at the main Roger Dean Stadium. This game will be televised on MLB Network and ESPN+ and also available on the MLB digital platforms (MLB app, MLB.com, MLB.TV).

On Sunday, March 17 at 10:05 a.m. ET, the Cards prospects face their Astros counterparts, also at The Dean. This contest will only be available via the MLB app, MLB.com and MLB.TV.

The rosters

Each organization’s Spring Breakout rosters were announced during a special program on MLB Network on Thursday morning, March 7.

Eligible players still hold their rookie status coming into the 2024 season (fewer than 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days on an active MLB roster).

Masyn Winn

That means top Cardinals prospect, shortstop Masyn Winn, is eligible (by one day).

Among the 35 players selected to participate are 29 members of The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 Prospect List plus two honorable mentions.

In each of the two Spring Breakout games, the Cardinals will have 27 players active – 10 pitchers, four catchers, eight infielders and five outfielders. However, the identities are not the same for both contests.

19 players are active both days, with eight other roster spots (five pitchers, one catcher and two infielders) changing players from March 15 to March 17. Details follow.

Spring Breakout roster/TCN rank

P (10/game, 15 total) TCN Games P TCN Games
Tink Hence 2 3/15 Max Rajcic 10 3/15, 3/17
Tekoah Roby 3 3/15, 3/17 Sem Robberse 14 3/15
Gordon Graceffo 6 3/15 Brycen Mautz 16 3/15, 3/17
Cooper Hjerpe 7 3/15, 3/17 Pete Hansen 18 3/15, 3/17
Michael McGreevy 8 3/15 Edwin Nunez 20 3/17
Ian Bedell 15 3/17 Zack Showalter 25 3/17
Adam Kloffenstein 17 3/17 Andre Granillo 26 3/15
Quinn Mathews 24 3/17
C (4/game, 5 total) TCN Games OF (5/game) TCN Games
Leonardo Bernal 9 3/15, 3/17 Victor Scott 4 3/15, 3/17
Jimmy Crooks 11 3/15, 3/17 Won-Bin Cho 12 3/15, 3/17
Pedro Pages 28 3/15 Chase Davis 13 3/15, 3/17
Sammy Hernandez HM 3/15, 3/17 Joshua Baez 32 3/15, 3/17
Carlos Linarez 3/17 Zach Levenson 33 3/15, 3/17
1B (2/game) TCN Games 2B (2/game, 3 total) TCN Games
Chandler Redmond 47 3/15, 3/17 Thomas Saggese 5 3/15, 3/17
R.J. Yeager 3/15, 3/17 Bryan Torres 3/15
Nick Dunn HM 3/17
SS (2/game, 3 total) TCN Games 3B (2/game) TCN Games
Masyn Winn 1 3/15 Cesar Prieto 23 3/15, 3/17
Jeremy Rivas 46 3/15, 3/17 Noah Mendlinger 38 3/15, 3/17
Lizandro Espinoza 3/17

Update


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

2024 Cardinals Minor League Spring Game Schedules



Now Available – 2024 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2024 Prospect Guide is back for its seventh year. It includes 282 pages of in-depth commentary about more than five dozen of the best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including in-depth scouting reports, 2023 recap, extensive draft and international histories and more.

Special half-price off deal for paid subscribers. Order your PDF or printed book copy today.

Order TCN’s 2024 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Guide


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.

Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com or for fastest turnaround, pose your questions on The Cardinal Nation’s members-only forum. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Send Out 10 in First Cuts of Spring 2024

photo: Tink Hence (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals have reduced their Spring Training roster to 58 players. Five of 10 players re-assigned to minor league camp are ranked prospects, including three in the Top 10.



St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 58 players today (Tuesday, March 5), with 10 players being re-assigned to minor league camp.

The team re-assigned non-roster pitchers Andre Granillo, Tink Hence, Packy Naughton, Max Rajcic, Victor Santos and Logan Sawyer, catchers Leonardo Bernal, Sammy Hernandez and Carlos Linárez, and outfielder Moisés Gómez to minor league camp.

Brian Walton’s take

There are no big surprises here in the first round of cuts, entirely made up of non-roster invitees. The group includes six pitchers (one of whom is rehabbing – Naughton), three A-ball catchers and a former 40-man roster outfielder (Gómez).

However, their relatively short stay in big league camp doesn’t mean they aren’t promising players. In fact, three are ranked in the Top 10 in The Cardinal Nation’s Prospect List for 2024. Hence is no. 2, Bernal is no. 9 and Rajcic is 10th. Also, Gómez is 22nd and Granillo is 26th.

Tink Hence

In limited spring action, Hence tossed four scoreless innings and Rajcic was charged with one run in three frames, including a 1-2-3 ninth inning Tuesday. Granillo yielded one run in one inning.

Max Rajcic

Gómez singled and struck out in five at-bats and Bernal drew a free pass in his only spring plate appearance.

Leonardo Bernal

With St. Louis having no game on Wednesday, the timing of these moves was planned to give the 10 players the customary extra day to change camps. Accordingly, minor league camp is growing from 115 to 125 players in the process.


For more

To see all players in the system by level and position plus every transaction all year ‘round, check out the always free Roster Matrix here at The Cardinal Nation, refreshed today.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

2024 Cardinals Minor League Spring Game Schedules


Now Available – 2024 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2024 Prospect Guide is back for its seventh year. It includes 282 pages of in-depth commentary about more than five dozen of the best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including in-depth scouting reports, 2023 recap, extensive draft and international histories and more.

Special half-price off deal for paid subscribers. Order your PDF or printed book copy today.

Order TCN’s 2024 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Guide


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.

Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com or for fastest turnaround, pose your questions on The Cardinal Nation’s members-only forum. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Dave Vonderhaar Receives 2023 Cardinals George Kissell Award

photo: Gary LaRocque, Dave Vonderhaar, John Mozeliak, Oliver Marmol (St. Louis Cardinals)

Upon the opening of minor league camp each spring, the St. Louis Cardinals make special announcements and award presentations at the organization’s spring training orientation meeting in Jupiter, Florida.

A very important recognition disclosed late Monday is the George Kissell Award for excellence in player development across the Cardinals organization.

The selection for the 2023 season is a game changer in that the choice is as unknown as 2022 winner Jose Oquendo is famous. Minor League Equipment Manager Dave Vonderhaar was voted in by his Cardinals player development peers.

Dave Vonderhaar (LinkedIn)

About the winner

Vonderhaar is the first non-uniformed, non-staff selection since athletic trainer Mark O’Neal in 1997. In his role, Vonderhaar regularly interacts with every single individual in Player Development.

As the Minor League Equipment Manager located in Jupiter, FL, Vonderhaar orders and distributes all minor league gear, equipment, and apparel to minor league players, coaches, and staff.

Vonderhaar has been in his current role for over 11 years, since the start of 2013. He spent the prior three years as Equipment Manager for the Class-A Palm Beach Cardinals.

Before joining the Cardinals organization in 2010, the Xavier University graduate in Sport Management served in related roles for eight years. He began with the Durham Bulls (TB, Triple-A), moved to the Marlins minor leagues, University of Miami, Lehigh Iron Pigs (Phillies Double-A) and the NCAA.

George Kissell (Associated Press)

The George Kissell Award

The Kissell Award is the top recognition any member of the player development organization could receive and remains an annual reminder of the importance of George Kissell to generations of Cardinals.

Through his teaching, Kissell essentially wrote the book that was later labeled “The Cardinal Way” as a player, manager and teaching leader of the organization from 1940 until he passed away in the fall of 2008 due to injuries suffered in an automobile accident.

The Cardinals recognized Kissell’s importance long before his untimely passing, first establishing the Award in 1995 to recognize a member of the organizational staff for excellence in player development. In the most appropriate nod, Kissell himself received the first Award.

The winner is chosen through voting by the Cardinals minor league field staff, with the peer recognition making it especially meaningful.

More about George

Among Kissell’s many other honors is a plaque outside the Cardinals Jupiter clubhouse highlighting his numerous accomplishments as well as the naming of the team’s minor league quad in his honor.

The inscription on the plaque says it all.

“Every player in the Cardinal organization since 1940 has had contact with George Kissell and they all have been better for it. One of the most respected people in the game of baseball at any level, George has worked in all areas of the Cardinals’ baseball operations. He was a scout, minor league manager, major league coach, and, as senior field coordinator for player development, he has coordinated the team’s minor league affiliates.

“Well known for his emphasis on fundamentals, George taught several generations of Redbirds how to play baseball. In recognition of his teaching excellence and personal example, the George Kissell Award is presented annually to the Cardinals outstanding player development staff person.

“George Kissell is one of the true foundations of the Cardinals tradition.”

Though Kissell was not eligible in the fan voting for Modern Era players to the Cardinals Hall of Fame, he was chosen as an “owner’s selection” and entered the Hall in 2015.

In ongoing honor of his teaching impact of generations of players, the Cardinals dedicated their four primary minor league fields in Jupiter as the George Kissell Quad.

George Kissell Award winners

Two-time Kissell Award honorees include Steve Turco, Chris Maloney and Mark DeJohn, none of whom remain in the organization.

Turco is now retired but was a long-time manager and scout. Maloney was formerly St. Louis’ third-base coach and DeJohn retired four years ago as the organization’s minor league field coordinator.

Seven members of the current Cardinals staff are prior winners, down by one from last year due to the retirement of 2012 honoree Bryan Eversgerd.

The seven remaining prior Kissell Award winners are Oquendo, Senior Minor League Pitching Coordinator Tim Leveque, Director of Performance Dr. Robert Butler, St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol, Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp, Cards third base coach Ron “Pop” Warner and Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Development Gary LaRocque.

Kissell winners
2023 Dave Vonderhaar Minors Equip. mgr. 2009 Chris Maloney Memphis manager
2022 Jose Oquendo Coord of Instruction 2008 Mark DeJohn Batavia manager
2021 Tim Leveque Sr. Pitching Coord. 2007 Dan Radison Minors hitting instr.
Robert Butler Dir of Performance 2006 Chris Maloney Springfield manager
2020 no season 2005 Ron “Pop” Warner Palm Beach mgr.
2019 Tony Ferreira Player Dev. mgr. 2004 Blaise Ilsley Tenn. pitching coach
2018 Gary LaRocque Player Dev. director 2003 Mark DeJohn Tenn. manager
2017 Stubby Clapp Memphis manager 2002 Danny Sheaffer Peoria manager
2016 Steve Turco Gulf Coast Lg. mgr. 2001 Dyar Miller Mem. pitching coach
2015 Randy Niemann PB pitching coach 2000 Gaylen Pitts Memphis manager
2014 Derrick May Minors hitting coord. 1999 Mark Riggins Minors pitching coord.
2013 Oliver Marmol State College mgr. 1998 Joe Pettini Minors field coord.
2012 Bryan Eversgerd Sgf. pitching coach 1997 Mark O’Neal Mem. athletic trainer
2011 Steve Turco Gulf Coast Lg. mgr. 1996 Bo Milliken Minors pitching instr.
2010 Mike Shildt Johnson City mgr. 1995 George Kissell Senior field coord.

Bold=currently in the organization


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

2024 Cardinals Minor League Spring Game Schedules


Now Available – 2024 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2024 Prospect Guide is back for its seventh year. It includes 282 pages of in-depth commentary about more than five dozen of the best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including in-depth scouting reports, 2023 recap, extensive draft and international histories and more.

Special half-price off deal for paid subscribers. Order your PDF or printed book copy today.

Order TCN’s 2024 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Guide


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.

Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Reach Contract Agreements with All 0-3 Year Players

photo: Luken Baker (Memphis Redbirds)

All members of the St. Louis Cardinals 40-man roster are now officially under contract for the 2024 season.



St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Saturday, March 2) that they have signed all of their 0-3 service time players to contracts for the 2024 season.

Today’s announced signings include the following 22 players: 1B Luken Baker, OF Alec Burleson, INF/OF Brendan Donovan, INF José Fermín, RHP Ryan Fernandez, INF Nolan Gorman, C Iván Herrera, RHP Adam Kloffenstein, LHP Matthew Liberatore, OF Lars Nootbaar, RHP Riley O’Brien, C Pedro Pagés, RHP Andre Pallante, 1B/OF Alfonso Rivas III, RHP Sem Robberse, RHP Nick Robertson, LHP Drew Rom, OF Michael Siani, LHP Zack Thompson, OF Jordan Walker, SS Masyn Winn and 1B/OF Jared Young.

The Cardinals now have all players signed for 2024.

Brian Walton’s take

This is the annual spring rubber-stamp one-year contract announcement for the 40-man roster players not yet eligible for arbitration.

These players essentially have no choice but to take the salary as offered – if they want to play in 2024. The 22 named above, representing just over half of the 40-man roster, accepted what the Cards were willing to pay them, as expected.

However, there is a small positive, or perhaps more accurately, no obvious negatives. There were no renewals.

If any of the 22 did not agree to accept the amount the Cardinals offered (within the terms of the CBA negotiated between players and owners), the team could renew their contract, anyway. Because these players are not yet arbitration-eligible, they have no choice but to take their salary if they want to play, but renewals would send the clear signal they were not happy about it.

For example, in 2019, both Jack Flaherty and Jordan Hicks were renewed. In July 2023, just before they reached free agency, they were both traded away. In the case of Flaherty, there were no reports of long-term contract talks. The Cardinals and Hicks reportedly discussed the possibility, but nothing became of it.

As noted, all minimum salary amounts are defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between players and owners. The minimum major league salary this season is $740,000, up from $720,000 in 2023.

All arbitration eligible players and six-year-plus players previously came to terms with the team.


Now Available – 2024 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2024 Prospect Guide is back for its seventh year. It includes 282 pages of in-depth commentary about more than 60 of the best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including in-depth scouting reports, 2023 recap, extensive draft and international histories and more.

Special half-price off deal for paid subscribers. Order your PDF or printed book copy today.

Order TCN’s 2024 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Guide


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Which Non-Roster Players Could Make the Cardinals Out of 2024 Camp?


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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Wednesdays With Walton and Newberry – February 28, 2024

photo: Riley O’Brien

The Cardinal Nation’s Brian Walton is joined by scouting analyst Blake Newberry for a weekly discussion of St. Louis Cardinals news, with a focus on player development and the minor leagues.

Our Wednesday podcasts are quick hitting and timely, covering a short list of current topics in 15-20 minutes. More information on everything we discuss can be found in articles here at The Cardinal Nation.

This week, in the second episode since our return, we discuss the ramifications of the signing of Brandon Crawford as the backup shortstop, touch on STEP Campers appearing in St. Louis games, review the sixth starter candidates and close with the top early favorites for the back end of the bullpen, including Blake’s dark horse pick.

Notes

All episodes of the return of Wednesday With Walton at The Cardinal Nation can be found here.

This is a reboot of Brian’s former podcasts at ScoopsWithDannyMac.com. We will be forever grateful for Dan McLaughlin’s support over the five-plus years we worked together.


Now Available – 2024 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2024 Prospect Guide is back for its seventh year. It includes 282 pages of in-depth commentary about more than 60 of the best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including in-depth scouting reports, 2023 recap, extensive draft and international histories and more.

Special half-price off deal for paid subscribers. Order your PDF or printed book copy today.

Order TCN’s 2024 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Guide


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Walton’s 2024 Cardinals Opening Day Roster Prediction – Version 1


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Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.

Follow Blake Newberry on Twitter @bt_newberry.

© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

St. Louis Cardinals Organization Roster Matrix – 2024 Spring Training

This newest Roster Matrix covers the St. Louis Cardinals and the entire minor league system, including the MLB club and their four full-season affiliates plus two rookie level teams – during 2024 spring training.

As a reminder, the previous matrix outlined all organizational transactions during the 2023-2024 off-season.

A refresher

If you are new to The Cardinal Nation and not familiar with the Cardinals organization roster matrix, here is quick summary:

As 2024 spring camp opened, the St. Louis Cardinals had 243 players under contract from top to bottom, including a full 40-man roster. The 40-man members are called out in bold.

The matrix places each of the 243 by position at his assigned level in the system as well as by position. Spring camp non-roster invitees are denoted by (NRI).

The matrix is updated whenever transactions occur.

Nowhere else will you find this current and comprehensive single-page view of the entire Cardinals organization plus a decade of history.

(Do not be concerned about the order of the players’ names within position. It has no relative significance.)

Looking ahead and back

Now that you’ve found this page once, remember one of three ways to get back here. Bookmark the page, type “Roster Matrix” in the dark blue search box at the upper right (click on the magnifying glass icon) or use the menu at the left of the page: “ROSTERS/PLAYERS/MOVES” > “TRANSACTIONS/ROSTER MATRIX”.

While you are using that menu, note TCN’s full rosters and player pages for every level and every player in the Cardinals system. These rosters remain in sync with the Roster Matrix and carry biographical information on all players.

St. Louis Cardinals
Memphis Redbirds
Springfield Cardinals
Peoria Chiefs
Palm Beach Cardinals
Florida Complex League Cardinals
Dominican Summer League Cardinals

For details behind prior years’ rosters and transactions (back to 2009), check out the earlier versions of the Cardinals organization Roster Matrix, via the following link.

Link to previous matrices

Transactions

2/13: New matrix. 40-man roster full. Organization total: 243 players.

2/25: RHP Branneli Franco, 1B Christian Saez from 2024 signed to DSL.

2/27: FA SS Brandon Crawford signed. IF Buddy Kennedy designated for assignment. 40-man roster remains full. New organization total: 244 players.

2/29: IF Buddy Kennedy claimed off waivers by DET. New organization total: 243 players.

3/5: First StL spring cuts. 10 NRIs reassigned to minors camp. 58 players still in StL camp, 40 40-man players and 18 NRIs. Reassigned Ps Andre Granillo, Tink Hence, Packy Naughton, Max Rajcic, Victor Santos, Logan Sawyer, Cs Leonardo Bernal, Sammy Hernandez, Carlos Linárez and OF Moisés Gómez.

3/8: Second spring cuts. RHP Adam Kloffenstein optioned to minors camp. LHP Cooper Hjerpe reassigned to minors camp. 39 40-man players and 17 NRIs remain in camp.

3/14: 10 cuts from camp. One 40-man player optioned, RHP Sem Robberse. Nine NRIs reassigned to minors camp. LHP Connor Thomas, RHP Tekoah Roby, RHP Ryan Loutos, RHP Gordon Graceffo, RHP Michael McGreevy. Also, Cs Aaron Antonini and Jimmy Crooks. IFs Arquimedes Gamboa and Jeremy Ramos. 38 40-man players and eight NRIs remain in camp.

The St. Louis Cardinals Organization Roster Matrix (effective 3/14/24)

St. Louis (34) 40-man (40)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Mikolas  John King (L) W Contreras Goldschmidt Donovan Winn Arenado Nootbaar
Liberatore (L) Middleton I Herrera  L Baker Gorman Crawford Carlson
Matz (L) Helsley Carpenter Fermin  Edman
Rom (L) Romero (L) Burleson 
Z Thompson (L) G Gallegos Walker
Lynn Pallante Siani
Gibson Kittredge
Gray Fernandez (R5)
Robertson
Memphis (33)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
McGreevy (NRI) Roycroft Raposo (NRI) J Young Dunn Moore Koperniak (NRI)
Graceffo (NRI) Leahy (NRI) Crooks (NRI) A Rivas Prieto (NRI) M Gomez (NRI)
C Thomas (L NRI) Loutos (NRI) Collins Saggese (NRI)
Robberse (opt) Black Morales
Kloffenstein (opt) Granillo (NRI)
Hansen (L) Roach
Santos (NRI) Sawyer (NRI)
O’Brien
Naughton (L NRI)
W Rodriguez (NRI)
Corbett
Raquet
James
Bosiokovic
Springfield (29)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Hence (NRI) R Garcia Pages  Redmond Torres Gamboa (NRI) Buchberger LJ Jones
Lunn Svanson Stauss (NRI) Lloyd Mendlinger Antico
Roby (NRI) Ralston Antonini (NRI) R Mendoza Scott (NRI)
Pereira Pope
Komar Shreve
Rajcic (NRI) Trogrlic-Iverson
Cornwell (L) E Nunez
Gragg
B Garcia
Peoria (25)
P P C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Hjerpe (L NRI) Jos King Tarlow Yeager Moquete J Rivas (NRI) Tovalin Church
Love N Heredia (L) McKeithan Rotondo
T Baker D Rodriguez Linarez (NRI) Iadiserria
Mills GJ Rodriguez M Hernandez Kretzschmar
Paniagua Marrero LC Rodriguez
Bedell
Arias
Palm Beach (35)
P P C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Mautz (L) Hayes Bernal (NRI) Sullivan Richardson Espinoza Salazar Jo Baez
Davila H Gomez Loaiza Friedrick Paige Harris Curialle Cho
G Salas Cuenca Adkison Jobert Villarroel Davis
Rincon Jacobson S Hernandez (NRI) Levenson
Lin Bradt Cordoba
W Ortega
Calderon
Showalter
Saladin
Carpenter
Winquest
FL Complex (40)
P P (from DSL) C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Willis Sequera R Heredia S De La Rosa Y Guerrero R Guzman R Cabrera
Villanueva Fabian LA Rodriguez A Encarnacion Grant Y Ramos
Giulianelli B Lopez J Guerrero Mejia Pino
Clemente Beltre (L) F Taveras
Arnold Cuello Honeyman
L Taveras Yanez J Suarez
Lynch (L) M Martinez M Vargas
(1st year 2024) (1st year 2023)
Mathews (L) Menes
Harrison Savacool
Worley Gastelum
Reyes Odle
Kublick
Henderson (L)
DSL (38)
P (2022/prior) P (1st year 2023) C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Severino Paulino Asprilla Saez B Taveras A Batista D Rojas Roquez
Ynfante E Carrera Atocha Junco Y Pena
Oliver R Lopez C Lopez Velasquez
Y Herrera (L) K Ramirez Caraballo Almonte
Galvez Y Batista (L) Arthur
Suriel Ja Baez Gil
X Cruz
P (first year 2024) Mack (L)
Correa G Vargas
Franco S Rojas (L)
A Bolivar
Moran
J Hernandez
K Perez
G  Martinez
International signed (9)
P P C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Chinchilla R Rodriguez Lebron Amaroso
 J Garcia Zulueta Padilla Guribe
Lucena

Codes
(NRI): non-roster invitee to MLB camp
(NRI): non-roster invitee to MLB camp reassigned to minor league camp
(opt): 40-man player optioned to minor league camp
(DFA): designated for assignment
(TI): temporarily inactive list
(PL): paternity leave
(RL): restricted list
(L): left-handed pitcher
bold: on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster
(#+#): for teams, the number of active players on the roster plus number of inactive/not under contract (IL+TI+PL+RL) players



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Cardinals Sign Shortstop Brandon Crawford

photo: Brandon Crawford (Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals are making a spring training addition of veteran San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford.



The combination of Tommy Edman’s longer-than-hoped recovery from off-season surgery and the dwindling shortstop free agent market* led the St. Louis Cardinals to commit to Brandon Crawford. The 13-year starter with the San Francisco Giants has reportedly come to terms on a one-year major league contract for a yet-undisclosed sum.

* In the past few days, Tim Anderson, Amed Rosario and Nick Ahmed all found new homes, with the latter taking Crawford’s former spot with the Giants.

Brandon Crawford

The 37-year-old has two rings (2012 and 2014) and won three consecutive Gold Glove Awards (2015-17). However, Crawford’s offense has been on a steep decline since his 2021 peak (.895 OPS and fourth place finish in the National League MVP vote to .652 in 2022 and .587 last season). In 2023, he had a long string of nagging injuries (calf, knee, forearm, hamstring) that led to four different stints on the injured list.

With this signing, Edman can focus on center field and not have to serve as the reserve shortstop as well. Crawford will play behind rookie starter Masyn Winn.

Regarding the 26-man Opening Day roster, if everyone is healthy, including Edman, it seems like outfielder Alec Burleson would likely be the odd man out. The four-man bench in that scenario would be catcher Ivan Herrera (RHB), infielder Matt Carpenter (LH), outfielder Dylan Carlson (SW) and Crawford (LH).

In the near term, a 40-man roster spot will need to be cleared for Crawford. In my view, one from a group that includes infielders Buddy Kennedy, Alfonso Rivas, Jose Fermin and Jared Young plus outfielder Michael Siani could be at risk. A pitching removal seems less likely to me.

Crawford’s deal will be formally announced by the team once he reports to Jupiter and passes a physical exam.

Update

On Tuesday, February 27, the Cardinals finalized the signing of Crawford to a one-year contract for $2 million. Infielder Buddy Kennedy, claimed off waivers last fall, was designated for assignment.

Buddy Kennedy

Kennedy will likely either be claimed by another organization off waivers or will be outrighted to the minor leagues. A trade or release are less likely possibilities to occur over the next week.


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St. Louis Cardinals Major League Notebook – February 12-18

As St. Louis Cardinals position players prepare for their first official workout, the team’s spring television schedule has been released. Our weekly history feature highlights the team’s 2011 spring training.



News and Notes from Cardinals Spring Training

This section features spring training news items each week that do not require extensive coverage.

  • Spring Training is underway with pitchers and catchers in workouts this past week. Position players are scheduled for their first official workout on Monday, February 19. The first Grapefruit League games begin on Saturday, February 24, with the Cardinals playing split squad games in Jupiter against the Marlins, and in Port St. Lucie against the Mets.
  • The Spring Training broadcast schedule is now out and can be viewed here. Bally Sports Midwest will be broadcasting fewer games this spring, as the schedule shows. Typically, 15 games have been televised, but in 2024 only 12 games will be televised by the Cardinals’ carrier. The total number of Cardinals games broadcast by Bally Sports Midwest plus other tv outlets has also declined.

All games will be available in some medium however, as the games not televised by Bally Sports Midwest or the TV outlets of opposing teams will be covered via audio form by KMOX, the Cardinals Radio Network or from the other team. This includes all 30 games in Florida plus the two scheduled games in Arizona against the Cubs.

Fewer Cardinals Telecasts to be Available in Spring 2024

  • Regular season single game tickets are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased online here or on the Ballpark App.
  • Prior to two Cardinals spring home games, on March 15 and 17, a team of Cardinals minor leaguers will play counterparts from the Marlins and Astros in “Spring Breakout” games.  Rosters will be revealed on March 7. Details are in the above article.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

There are no transactions to report.

Injury Report

There are no new injuries to report.

Looking Ahead

Spring Training has begun. All players have reported. Pitcher and catcher workouts are underway. The first official position workout is set to start on Monday, February 19.

The first spring training games are on February 24 with split squads playing the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium and playing the Mets in Port St. Lucie. The Spring Training broadcast schedule is out and a link is provided in this report.

The Cardinals Spring Training schedule can be found here.

The last spring training game in Florida will be against the Astros in Palm Beach on March 24. The Cardinals will then travel to Arizona to play the final two spring games against the Cubs on March 25 and 26.

The regular season begins on March 28 with a four-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. They end the road trip in San Diego with three games beginning April 1.

The Cardinals home opener is on April 4 against the Marlins.

Blast from the Past

Spring Training is underway, with pitchers and catchers reporting on Tuesday, February 13.  Position players have their first workout on Monday, February 19.  For the next few weeks, Blast from the Past will take a look at some past spring trainings where rosters and stats are available.

The website Baseball Cube has spring training stats going back to 2006. Last week we looked at the 2006 Spring Training roster. This week we look at the Spring Training roster of another World Championship season, that of 2011.

The 2011 Spring Training roster consisted of 68 players in total, 39 position players and 29 pitchers. The entire roster can be found here.

The primary position players were Yadier Molina, Albert Pujols, Skip Schumaker, Ryan Theriot, David Freese, Matt Holliday, Colby Rasmus, and Lance Berkman. Rasmus was traded mid-season and was replaced primarily by Jon Jay. Other notable players were Daniel Descalso, Allen Craig, Matt Carpenter, Pete Kozma, Tony Cruz, Nick Punto, Gerald Laird, Shane Robinson, Adron Chambers, Tommy Pham, Matt Adams, and Oscar Taveras.

Chris Carpenter (USA TODAY Sports)

Starting pitchers were Chris Carpenter, Kyle Lohse, Jake Westbrook, Jaime Garcia, and Kyle McClellan. Adam Wainwright reported to Spring Training but wasn’t on the roster due to requiring Tommy John surgery before spring games began. Wainwright spent the entire season with the team but not as an active player. He did his rehab in St. Louis and on the road and remained with the team throughout the regular season and postseason.

Notable relief pitchers on the spring roster were Jason Motte, Joe Kelly, Mitchell Boggs, Trever Miller, Fernando Salas, Eduardo Sanchez, Lance Lynn, Shelby Miller, Ryan Franklin, and Miguel Batista.

St. Louis’ Spring Training record was 14-16.  The first spring game was on February 28 and the last was on March 29.

Matt Holliday (USA TODAY Sports Images)

The top hitters by OPS were Matt Adams (1.250), Pete Kozma (1.125), Matt Holliday (1.013), Allen Craig (.970), Skip Schumaker (.952), and Matt Carpenter (.924).

Top Starters ERA: Kyle McClellan (0.78), and Kyle Lohse (1.88)

Top Relievers ERA (at least 10 IP): Fernando Salas (0.73), Bryan Augenstein (0.77), and Miguel Batista (1.59).

The Cardinals played the following teams in Spring Training: Florida Marlins, New York Mets, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Detroit Tigers.

The Cardinals opened the 2011 season on March 31 at home against the San Diego Padres. The first road game was in San Francisco on April 8.


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Fewer Cardinals Telecasts to be Available in Spring 2024

The total percentage of St. Louis Cardinals spring training games scheduled to be televised has dropped from over 73% last year to just under 60% in 2024. It is not all due to Bally Sports Midwest, but they have reduced their Grapefruit League game count from 15 to 12.


St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that fans will be able to catch all 32 of the club’s spring contests on either Bally Sports Midwest, KMOX 1120 AM/Cardinals Radio Network affiliates or streaming via the MLB app or cardinals.com.  The Cardinals official Grapefruit League Spring Training schedule will consist of 30 games followed by two exhibition matchups against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Arizona.

Television

Bally Sports Midwest will televise 12 Spring Training contests in 2024.  The television home of the Cardinals kicks off its live game coverage with the Spring Training opener vs. the Miami Marlins on Saturday, February 24, at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at noon CT.  Each of Bally Sports Midwest’s telecasts will also be streamed live on the Bally Sports app and BallySports.com, for fans who sign-in with their pay-TV login and password.  Cardinals television play-by-play announcers Chip Caray and Tom Ackerman will handle play-by-play duties and Brad Thompson will serve as analyst.

Radio

The team’s flagship radio station KMOX 1120 AM will broadcast 16 spring games with John Rooney, Ricky Horton and Mike Claiborne behind the microphone.  The radio schedule also begins on Saturday, February 24, vs. Miami.  The Spring Training opener vs. Miami and the February 25 game at Houston will also be broadcast by Cardinals Spanish Radio announcers Polo Ascencio and Bengie Molina on WIJR 880 AM.  Cardinals Spring Training games will also be carried on the 146 Cardinals Radio Network affiliate stations.  Fans are encouraged to check their local listings for details.  An additional nine contests will be streamed via cardinals.com and the MLB app featuring play-by-by and commentary from a combination of KMOX broadcasters Mike Claiborne, Tom Ackerman, and Matt Pauley.

Additional Cardinals spring contests may be televised or broadcast by opposing teams and be available for streaming via the MLB app or MLB.TV.

For more information on Spring Training and the Cardinals broadcast partners, visit cardinals.com/springtraining, cardinals.com/radio or cardinals.com/tv.  The Cardinals 2024 Spring Training broadcast schedule follows below.

2024 St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training Broadcast Schedule

DAY DATE GAME TIME (CT) OPPONENT TV TIME (CT) TV^ RADIO/STREAM TIME (CT) RADIO/STREAM*
Saturday 2/24 12:05 PM Marlins 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 11:55 AM KMOX & CRN**
Saturday 2/24 12:10 PM @Mets 12:00 PM MLB.TV (SNY) 12:00 PM MLB app (WCBS)
Sunday 2/25 12:05 PM @Astros (ss) 12:00 PM MLB.TV (Space City) 11:55 AM KMOX & CRN**
Monday 2/26 12:10 PM @Marlins 12:00 PM cardinals.com
Tuesday 2/27 12:05 PM Red Sox 11:55 AM CRN
Wednesday 2/28 12:10 PM @Mets 12:00 PM MLB.TV (SNY) 12:00 PM cardinals.com
Thursday 2/29 12:05 PM Nationals 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 11:55 AM CRN
Friday 3/1 12:05 PM Mets 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 11:55 AM cardinals.com
Saturday 3/2 12:05 PM @Astros 11:55 AM KMOX & CRN
Sunday 3/3 12:05 PM Marlins (ss) 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 11:55 AM KMOX & CRN
Monday 3/4 12:05 PM @Nationals 11:55 AM cardinals.com
Tuesday 3/5 12:05 PM Twins 11:55 AM cardinals.com
Thursday 3/7 12:05 PM Astros 11:55 AM cardinals.com
Friday 3/8 5:05 PM @Nationals 4:55 PM KMOX & CRN
Saturday 3/9 12:05 PM Mets 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 11:55 AM KMOX & CRN
Sunday 3/10 12:10 PM @Marlins (ss) 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 12:00 PM KMOX & CRN
Monday 3/11 12:05 PM Nationals 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 11:55 AM cardinals.com
Tuesday 3/12 12:05 PM @Red Sox   12:00 PM MLB app (WEEI)
Wednesday 3/13 12:05 PM @Twins (ss) 12:00 PM MLB app (TIBN)
Thursday 3/14 12:05 PM Mets 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 11:55 AM cardinals.com
Friday 3/15 5:05 PM Marlins 5:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 4:55 PM KMOX & CRN
Saturday 3/16 11:05 AM @Nationals 10:55 AM KMOX & CRN
Sunday 3/17 12:10 PM Astros 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest 11:55 AM KMOX & CRN
Tuesday 3/19 12:05 PM Marlins (ss) 11:55 AM KMOX & CRN
Tuesday 3/19 5:10 PM @Mets 5:00 PM MLB.TV (SNY)
Wednesday 3/20 5:05 PM @Nationals 4:55 PM KMOX & CRN
Thursday 3/21 12:05 PM Astros 12:00 PM Bally Sports Midwest/ESPN 11:55 AM cardinals.com
Friday 3/22 5:40 PM @Marlins 5:30 PM Bally Sports Midwest 5:30 PM KMOX & CRN
Saturday 3/23 12:05 PM Nationals (ss) 11:55 AM KMOX & CRN
Sunday 3/24 11:05 AM @Astros 11:00 AM MLB.TV (Space City) 10:55 AM KMOX & CRN
Monday 3/25 3:05 PM @Cubs% 3:00 PM MLB. TV (Marquee Sports) 2:55 PM KMOX & CRN
Tuesday 3/26 2:05 PM @Cubs% 2:00 PM MLB. TV (Marquee Sports)/ESPN+

CRN = Cardinals Radio Network
^ All games televised on Bally Sports Midwest also streamed on the Bally Sports app
* All games broadcast on KMOX/CRN also streamed on KMOX.com, cardinals.com and the MLB app
** Spanish broadcast available on WIJR 880 AM
% Exhibition Game played at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz.
TV & Radio Schedule subject to change.

Brian Walton’s take

It is great that the Cardinals have finally captured and communicated all televised spring training games, no matter the originator. For years, I had taken it upon myself to gather this information from the opponents and share it with you each spring, but no longer need to do so. That is positive.

However, perhaps lost in this improved communication is that fact that financially beleaguered Bally Sports Midwest has dropped its Cardinals spring schedule from the customary 15 of 17 home games in 2023 to 12 of 17 for 2024.

From 2023 to 2024, the number of Cardinals spring games telecasted by others remains at seven.

With the two extra Cubs games in Arizona, the total number of spring games played grew from 30 to 32 year-to-year. However, the bottom line is that there are fewer games to watch in 2024.

In 2024, 19 of 32 (59.4%) contests will be televised by BSM or the opponent’s network compared to 22 of 30 games (73.3%) in 2023.

Flipping the coin, the quantity of non-televised contests grew from eight (26.7% of the spring schedule) last year to 13 (40.6%) this year.  That trend is heading in the wrong direction for many fans’ tastes.

Of the 13 non-televised games, eight are on the road (which BSM would not cover), but the other five are at Roger Dean Stadium. Three are in the first two weeks of games. In 2023, six of the eight games not televised were road contests. The only two home games not covered by BSM last year were midweek dates during the first week of action.

As noted above, all except the final game in Mesa, AZ against the Cubs will have radio and/or audio streaming available.

Here’s the scorecard:

2024 Games  Pct. 2023 Games  Pct.
BSM 12 BSM 15
Others 7 Others 7
Televised total 19 59.4% Televised total 22 73.3%
Road 8 Road 6
Home 5 Home 2
No TV total 13 40.6% No TV total 8 26.7%
Total 32 Total 30

Note that ESPN/ESPN+ has a slate of 10 spring games. The only two involving the Cardinals are also covered on BSN and MLB.TV, respectively. I added them to the Cardinals-supplied table above.

Schedule update 2/16

These are the Cardinals’ two minor league all-star games previously announced. More details on the Spring Breakout are in the article that can be viewed via the second link below.

Cardinals Prospects to Play Twice in MLB Spring Breakout


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A History of St. Louis Cardinals Spring Relief Pitcher Injuries


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