The Arizona Fall League has released its 2025 schedule for each of its six teams as well as organizational assignments, some of which rotate annually. For the second consecutive year, St. Louis Cardinals prospects will be a part of the Glendale Desert Dogs.
Other organizations staffing the Glendale roster are the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox. Home games are played at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, the spring home of the Dodgers and White Sox.
League play begins on Monday, October 6th, with the Desert Dogs’ opener the next afternoon. There will be no contests on Mondays except for the first and last weeks of the season, with three league games most other days. Generally, two are in the afternoon and one in the evening, but there are variances.
The Fall Stars Game, pitting National vs. American Leaguers, will be played on Sunday, November 9th at Mesa’s Sloan Park (the Chicago Cubs spring training stadium). The Home Run Derby will be held there the previous night, on Saturday, November 8th.
The playoff format is new for 2025 with all six AFL teams participating. The top two seeds receive a first-round bye as the other four squads face off in single-game elimination games on Thursday, November 13. The two Thursday winners will play the top two seeds on Friday with the Championship Game on Saturday, November 15. The latter should be televised nationally.
The full schedule is here:
The wait is over, the 2025 Arizona Fall League schedule is here!
From Opening Night in Scottsdale to Fall Stars Weekend and our new Championship Series format, this season is packed with can’t-miss baseball. This fall, the future of baseball takes the field—don’t miss a single… pic.twitter.com/3FSYs3fWKY
— MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) August 14, 2025
Broadcast details have not yet been released, but when they are, I will share it so you can plan to watch selected games via streaming.
Rosters for the clubs and coaching assignments have not been released for the AFL’s 33rd season. No longer are rosters announced as early as Labor Day. In 2024, the players invited to the AFL were not disclosed until September 25. So, it may be a long wait until we have those very important details.
Among the eight Cardinals who competed in the 2024 AFL are prospect infielder Thomas Saggese, outfielder Nathan Church, catcher Leonardo Bernal, plus pitchers Brycen Mautz, Matt Svanson and Ixan Henderson.
What is next
In upcoming articles and podcasts, we will discuss candidates from both the pitching and position player populations who might be chosen to represent the Cardinals this fall.
Once play is underway in October, The Cardinal Nation will post free daily recaps of all Desert Dogs AFL games including box score links, as we do annually. That way, you can easily follow Cardinals prospects’ results in the desert.
As has been the case for approaching two decades, I will be present for a week of the AFL with interviews, photos and eyewitness reports exclusively for paid members of The Cardinal Nation. Join today!
Now Available – 2025 Cardinals Prospect Guide
The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide is back for its eighth year. It includes 256 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of all-new player scouting reports. Order and download the PDF today or order your printed book copy to ship the next business day.
All paid members can purchase our Prospect Guide PDF at 50% off. Thank you for your support of The Cardinal Nation!
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Victor Scott moves to the IL with a sprained ankle as outfielder Nathan Church and left-handed reliever Anthony Veneziano prepare for their St. Louis Cardinals debuts.
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In the final in-season update of our St. Louis Cardinals Top 50 Prospect List in 2025, 11 players join the rankings, headlined by five of the six players acquired in trade at the deadline, led by infielder Jesus Baez. There are many other movers as well.
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Continuing a busy period for player transactions, on Tuesday, August 12, the St. Louis Cardinals announced a dozen more moves, touching all five of their US-based affiliates rosters, including one new acquisition.
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Memphis Redbirds infielder JJ Wetherholt and Peoria Chiefs left-handed starting pitcher Braden Davis are the system’s top pitcher and player during July per the St. Louis Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals today (Monday, August 11) announced their selections for Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for July, with Memphis Redbirds (AAA) infielder JJ Wetherholt and Peoria Chiefs (High-A) left-handed starting pitcher Braden Davis taking home the honors.
Wetherholt, 22, slashed .306/.395/.708 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored, 14 extra-base hits and 10 walks in 19 games played with Memphis (14g) and Double-A Springfield. He ranked first among all Cardinals qualified minor leaguers in HR, OPS (1.103), runs scored, hits (22), extra-base hits and total bases (51). His outstanding month included an extra-inning walk-off single on July 1 vs. Northwest Arkansas, his first career multi-homer games on July 6 and July 23, and career-high four-hit game on July 18 at Toledo. He also led off back-to-back games with a home run on July 22 & 23.
“July was the perfect example of JJ being JJ! Although he worked through multiple ‘changes’, many things stayed consistent from an offensive profile standpoint,” said Cardinals Director of Player Development Larry Day. “While JJ made the jump from Springfield to Memphis, he continued to be very productive offensively: impacting the baseball with a quality contact exit velocity of 106 mph, quality contact launch angle at 16.4 degrees, and making contact 76.4% of the time. From a process standpoint, he has assimilated into the Memphis group nicely and always has a plan when he steps in the box. He’s also been putting in the work at third base and looks to be getting more comfortable there each game played.”
Selected with the 7th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of West Virigina University, the club’s consensus top prospect and Baseball America’s 5th-ranked overall prospect also participated in the MLB All-Star Futures Game on July 12. The Mars, Pa. product went 1-for-4 with a double out of the leadoff spot as one of only two NL starters to play the entire game. On the season, Wetherholt is slashing .299/.417/.505 with 13 home runs, 19 doubles, 47 RBI and 58 runs scored with more walks (56) than strikeouts (54) in 83 games played.
Davis, 22, posted a 2-0 record with a 1.14 ERA (3 ER/23.2 IP), 0.80 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts across five starts with Single-A Palm Beach (three) and Peoria (two). Davis ranked first among all Cardinals qualified minor league hurlers in ERA, WHIP, SO, SO/9 (14.45), and opponent average (.115) (min. 15.0 IP). His month was highlighted by a 13.0-inning scoreless streak to start the month, including a career-high 6.0 shutout innings allowing four hits with 11 strikeouts vs. Dunedin on July 8. He produced nearly identical pitching lines after being promoted to Peoria on July 16, tossing 5.0 innings and allowing just one run on two hits with eight strikeouts in each start on July 20 at Quad Cities (no-decision) and July 26 vs. West Michigan (win).
“Over the past month, Braden Davis’ primary focus has been winning the race to two strikes. This has allowed him to make significant strides in both strikeout and walk rates,” stated Day. “Splitting time between Palm Beach and Peoria in July, he posted an impressive 42% strikeout percentage alongside an 11% walk percentage, driven by an uptick in overall strike rate and a focused reliance on his best offerings—the four-seam fastball and changeup.”
Selected in the 5th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma University, the Keller, Texas native has compiled a 4-1 record with a 2.67 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and an organizational-best 128 strikeouts across 21 games (18 starts) this season. Davis was named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week earlier last week, his third weekly league honor of the season and the first Cardinals minor leaguer to win at least three in one season since Quinn Mathews did so in 2024 with Palm Beach and Peoria.
Brian Walton’s take
Congratulations to the organization’s choices.
Earlier, The Cardinal Nation selected Wetherholt as our July Player of the Month and Davis is our choice as the Pitcher of the Month. So, we are in agreement this time.
Refer to the articles below for detailed stats on approximately 10 finalists for each award, including the winners.
The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide is back for its eighth year. It includes 256 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of all-new player scouting reports. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!
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On Thursday, August 7, the St. Louis Cardinals announced nine minor league transactions, eight affecting pitchers. The moves are led by the return of Ian Bedell to Triple-A Memphis.
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30-year-old, seven-year MLB veteran pitched for Minnesota and Boston this season amid high velocity and strikeouts, but also high walks and too many home runs allowed.
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals have claimed right-handed pitcher Jorge Alcalá (AL-cah-lah) off waivers from the Boston Red Sox.
Alcalá, 30, made 41 appearances between the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox this season compiling an 0-2 record with 6.64 ERA striking out 46 batters over 40.2 innings. The Red Sox acquired Alcalá from the Twins for minor league infielder Andy Lugo on June 11.
Over seven Major League seasons, the 6-foot-3, 205 lb. Alcalá has appeared in 185 games, all in relief, with career marks of 9-13 with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has one career save, coming in 2021 with the Twins.
An international free agent signee by the Houston Astros in 2014, Alcalá was traded to the Twins in 2018 in exchange for RHP Ryan Pressly. He made his Major League debut with the Twins on September 21, 2019.
Brian Walton’s take
This is the Cardinals second pitching waiver wire addition of the week, following Anthony Veneziano coming from the Miami Marlins.
After the flurry of deadline trades, the Cardinals had five openings on their 40-man roster. Veneziano and Alcalá took one each.
At this point, it has not been announced what St. Louis’ corresponding transaction will be to accommodate Alcalá’s addition to the active roster. That will come on Friday. Candidates to be optioned to Memphis include I55 Shuttle regulars Matt Svanson, Andre Granillo, Roddery Munoz, Ryan Fernandez and Gordon Graceffo.
Since 2022, Alcalá has a walk rate of 4.2 per nine innings, lessening the impact of his upper 90’s fastball and high strikeout rate (10.2 K/9 in 2025). He also tends to give up the long ball with nine in 40 2/3 innings between both stops this season.
Alcalá has one more arbitration season prior to free agency, so if he works out, he could remain for the 2026 season. Or with no minor league options available, he could just as easily be returned to the waiver wire.
For roster and player information
The team rosters here at The Cardinal Nation are kept up to date daily. To access them, click on “ROSTERS/PLAYERS/MOVES” located on the red menu bar on the left of the page beneath The Cardinal Nation site logo.
To see the Cardinals’ entire system by level and position on one page along with every player transaction for every club all year long, check out the always current Roster Matrix at The Cardinal Nation. It has been updated for the regular season and is accessible from the same menu as the team rosters.
Now Available – 2025 Cardinals Prospect Guide
The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide is back for its eighth year. It includes 256 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of all-new player scouting reports. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!
All paid members can purchase our Prospect Guide PDF at 50% off. Thank you for your support of The Cardinal Nation!
Finally! For the new minor league week starting on Tuesday, August 5, seven St. Louis Cardinals players signed last month have received their first professional team assignment. Sixteen others are on the move, too.
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The Dominican Summer League Cardinals went 2-3 for the week with four games decided by one run. Infielder Sebastian Dos Santos was a close second in the system in July OPS at 1.102. A new player signs as another departs.
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photo: Braden Davis (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Promoted to Peoria during July, left-hander Braden Davis had the top overall pitching performance during the month, leading St. Louis’ system in ERA and ranking second in WHIP and strikeout rate.
It is time to select The Cardinal Nation’s July 2025 Pitcher of the Month. This article covers pitchers across all levels of the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system during the period.
As a reminder, this is NOT the “Pitcher of the Month Among Top Prospects”. Every player in the system has an equal chance, with only their performance during the month used to differentiate the best of the best. Age and level, which are key prospect considerations, are not primary factors here.
Guidelines
To qualify, a pitcher must have thrown at least 10 innings during July. Forty-seven pitchers across the system met this bar. To reach the list of seven finalists, an ERA below 2.00 was required. The group consists of five starters and two relievers.
Triple-A Memphis leads the pack with three finalists. Next is Double-A Springfield with two. The two Class-A teams, Palm Beach and Peoria, share one and the Dominican Summer League also has one finalist. The Florida Complex League had no pitchers that met the innings and ERA criteria.
Two finalists posted a July ERA below 1.00 and one other was under 1.50. Two finished exactly at 1.50 and two others were between there and 2.00.
Counting stats
In the following table, the finalists are listed in ascending ERA order.
Name
Age
Team
G
GS
W
L
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
ERA
Braden Davis
22
PB/Peo
5
5
2
0
23.2
9
2
2
10
38
0.76
Tekoah Roby
23
Mem
2
2
1
1
10
11
4
1
2
12
0.90
Ixan Henderson
23
Spr
4
4
4
0
22.1
15
3
3
7
18
1.21
Oddanier Mosqueda
26
Mem
11
0
1
1
12
4
2
2
4
12
1.50
Aaron Wilkerson
36
Mem
2
2
1
0
12
8
2
2
4
6
1.50
Brycen Mautz
23
Spr
5
5
2
0
23
16
4
4
5
28
1.57
Hendrick Cana
17
DSL
4
0
1
0
14
10
3
3
4
15
1.93
The two with July ERAs under 1.00 are Braden Davis (0.72) and Tekoah Roby (0.90). Both were in the headlines last month, though the latter’s news was not good – two starts, then Tommy John surgery. Roby allowed just one earned run last month, but three other unearned scores occurred during his mound time. That and the fact he made just two starts hurt his award chances.
With a 1.21 ERA and four wins in four outings, Springfield’s Ixan Henderson’s breakout season continued for another month. Next at 1.50 are Memphis teammates reliever Oddanier Mosqueda and 36-year-old starter and system newcomer Aaron Wilkerson.
Our final finalists are Springfield’s Brycen Mautz (1.57) and 17-year-old DSL right-hander Hendrick Cana (1.92).
Rate stats
Here are additional statistics from the finalists in the same ascending ERA sequence.
Mosqueda (54%) and Roby (52%) are the only finalists who induced ground balls at a higher rate than fly balls. The other five are tightly bunched between a 41% and 43% ground ball rate.
Mosqueda (0.67 WHIP) was the best at keeping runners off the bases, followed by Davis at 0.80. The rest were also solid (0.91 to 1.00), with Roby as the negative outlier at 1.30.
BABIP is where Mosqueda’s candidacy loses steam. His exceptionally low mark of .120 suggests tremendous fortune with batted balls that will not be sustained.
At the other end of the spectrum is Roby’s .407 BABIP, which makes his July results even more exceptional, albeit in the smallest possible sample size of 10 innings pitched (two starts).
Strikeout rate is where Davis really stands out, with a 14.5 per nine innings rate that is usually only the territory of the best relievers. For a starter, this is truly exceptional.
Wilkerson (4.5 K/9) and Henderson (7.3) are the only finalists to fan fewer than a batter per inning.
Roby (1.8 BB/9) and Mautz (2.0 BB/9) were the stingiest in issuing walks among finalists with Davis at the other end (3.8).
Put the two together and Roby and Mautz translate their walk success into the best strikeout to walk ratio at 6.0 and 5.6, respectively. Lowest is Wilkerson at 1.5.
A digression
In the selection process for their own Pitchers of the Month, the Cardinals organization seems to be placing great emphasis on strikeout ratio and strikeout to walk ratio.
With our narrowing of candidates first driven by ERA, however, there are months in which the organization’s choice did not even make our finalist list.
To try to anticipate this, I ran three ratio lists against the entire group of 47 pitchers who threw at least 10 innings in July, regardless of ERA. The ratio lists are strikeout, walk and strikeout-to-walk. I also cite the pitchers’ July ERAs for reference.
For strikeouts, I drew the line at 12 or more K per nine. For walks, 1.8 per nine or fewer. For K/BB, 6:1 or better is listed.
K/9 sort
Team
K/9
ERA
Roddery Muñoz
Mem
17.1
2.13
Braden Davis
PB/Peo
14.5
0.76
Ronny Oliver
FCL
14.4
4.50
Jesus Garcia
DSL
13.5
4.76
Bernard Mack
FCL
12.7
5.91
Quinn Mathews
Mem
12.1
3.86
BB/9 sort
Team
BB/9
ERA
Tyler Bradt
Peo
0.8
3.00
Pete Hansen
Spr
0.9
3.30
Juan Garcia
DSL
1.1
4.76
Daniel Gomez
DSL
1.7
7.71
Hancel Rincon
Spr
1.7
4.00
Jan Cabrera
DSL
1.8
4.58
Tekoah Roby
Mem
1.8
0.90
K/BB sort
Team
K/BB
ERA
Tyler Bradt
Peo
11.0
3.00
Pete Hansen
Spr
9.7
3.30
Roddery Muñoz
Mem
8.0
2.13
Jesus Garcia
DSL
6.0
3.75
Tekoah Roby
Mem
6.0
0.90
Non-finalist Roddery Muñoz earned his Friday promotion to the St. Louis bullpen with an exceptional, system-best July strikeout rate of 17.1 per nine. Next is the ERA leader, finalist Davis.
A positive footnote is Quinn Mathews’ 12.1 K/9 rate. However, any excitement should be tempered. Not listed here is his inflated walk rate of 8.3 per nine, which was second highest among all qualified pitchers in the system last month, coupled with reports of diminished velocity.
In walk rate and K/BB ratio, non-finalists dominate, led by Peoria’s Tyler Bradt and Springfield’s Pete Hansen. However, their July ERAs were 3.00 or more, considerably higher than our top finalists’ marks.
My conclusion is that there seem to be no dark horses who might conflict with our choice. Which is…
Back to the decision
When considering all results, Braden Davis is our choice as The Cardinal Nation’s Pitcher of the Month.
During July, Davis led the entire system in ERA and was second in WHIP and strikeout rate.
The 22-year-old is an organization bright spot in his first professional season. The left-hander from the University of Oklahoma was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft but did not take the field in official game action until this spring.
Once in June and once in July, Davis was named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week. In 69 innings over 16 appearances, 13 starts with Palm Beach, Davis had a 3.26 ERA (second in the FSL) to go with an impressive and league-leading 97 strikeouts. Less exciting was his 55 walks, though he has improved in that area recently.
Davis was promoted to Peoria on July 16 and actually improved. He has a stellar 1.20 ERA and 21 strikeouts against just five walks in 15 innings over his first three Midwest League starts. This reinforces his selection for July.
Davis is 46th on The Cardinal Nation’s most recent prospect list re-ranking.
How last month’s winners fared
TCN’s choice as June Pitcher of the Month was unconventional, Springfield reliever Ricardo Velez. During July, the right-hander continued to be solid, with a 1.08 ERA. However, because Velez only threw 8 1/3 innings, he did not qualify for our July honors.
The Cardinals organization’s June selection, Hancel Rincon, made five starts for Springfield in July, with a 4.00 ERA. In 27 innings, the right-hander fanned 26 and walked just five. However, Texas League batters hit .296 against him, 90 points higher than his June mark.
Rincon received bad news on the second day of August.
Another starting pitching injury at the high levels of the #stlcards system. The organization's June Pitcher of the Month, RH Hancel Rincon, has been placed on the IL at Double-A Springfield. 3.92 ERA in 19 games including 17 starts. pic.twitter.com/ilYihl38Z6
Earlier, Memphis shortstop JJ Wetherholt was named the top hitter in the system for the month per The Cardinal Nation. Check out the 22-year-old’s July results and those of our other finalists here:
The Cardinals organization will name their own selections for July Player and Pitcher of the Month in the upcoming days.
Now Available – 2025 Cardinals Prospect Guide
The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide is back for its eighth year. It includes 256 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of all-new player scouting reports. Order and download the PDF today or order your printed book copy to ship the next business day.
All paid members can purchase our Prospect Guide PDF at 50% off. Thank you for your support of The Cardinal Nation!
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The Cardinal Nation’s choice as the top hitter in the St. Louis Cardinals organization during July is Memphis shortstop JJ Wetherholt, who led the system in runs scored, home runs, extra base hits, slugging percentage and OPS in his first partial month at Triple-A.
This article details the selection of The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Month. Considered were offensive results during July across the entire St. Louis Cardinals system. The winner as well as a group of six runners up are highlighted.
Starting with the usual 60 plate appearances requirement, a total of 45 hitters in the system qualified. Seven separated themselves with a July OPS above .900.
The bookends of the system, Triple-A Memphis and rookie-level Dominican Summer League, led the finalist list with two each, as did Low-A Palm Beach. Double-A Springfield had one. High-A Peoria and the rookie level Florida Complex League had no finalists for the second consecutive month.
Reminder
Please remember, this is NOT the “Player of the Month Among Top Prospects”. Every player in the system has an equal chance, with only their performance during the month used to differentiate the best of the best. Age and level, which are key prospect considerations, are not factors here, either.
Names in the two tables below are listed in the same descending OPS order.
Rate Stats
Hitter
Age
Tm
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS
BB rate
K rate
JJ Wetherholt
22
Mem/Spr
0.306
0.395
0.708
1.104
11.6%
15.1%
Sebastian Dos Santos
17
DSL
0.304
0.450
0.652
1.102
18.3%
26.7%
Dakota Harris
23
Spr
0.361
0.435
0.590
1.025
7.2%
14.5%
Miguel Hernandez
17
DSL
0.344
0.455
0.557
1.012
15.6%
15.6%
Rainiel Rodriguez
18
PB
0.259
0.397
0.552
0.949
17.8%
16.4%
Deniel Ortiz
20
PB/Peo
0.303
0.415
0.515
0.930
13.4%
22.0%
Matt Koperniak
27
Mem
0.299
0.337
0.584
0.922
6.0%
16.9%
Only two finalists repeated from June, with both having joined new teams since, Memphis shortstop JJ Wetherholt and new Peoria corner infielder Deniel Ortiz.
Two players led the way with a July OPS just over 1.100 and two others finished above 1.000. Neck and neck at the top are the no. 1 prospect in the organization, Wetherholt, at 1.104, with Dominican Summer League middle infielder Sebastian Dos Santos an eyelash away at 1.102.
In many months, a four-digit OPS could mean a win, and the others in this category did perform well in June. They are Springfield infielder Dakota Harris at 1.025 and Dos Santos’ DSL teammate, shortstop Miguel Hernandez, at 1.012.
In walk rate, Dos Santos (18.3%) and Palm Beach catcher Rainiel Rodriguez (17.8%) led the way. At the other end are Memphis outfielder Matt Koperniak at just 6.0% and Harris at 7.2%.
The lowest strikeout rates among finalists were compiled by Harris at 14.5% with Wetherholt next at 15.1%. The only finalists above 20% were Dos Santos at 26.7% and Ortiz at 22%.
Wetherholt’s seven home runs, compiled between Springfield (two) and Memphis (five) led the entire system. His new Redbirds teammate Koperniak’s five tied for second.
The six doubles hit by Wetherholt in June was tops among finalists and third in the system in total, just one behind the co-leaders (Ryan Campos and Cesar Prieto).
Put it together and Wetherholt’s 14 extra-base hits (including one triple) were the most in the system during June.
Koperniak and Dos Santos led the finalists and the entire system with 20 RBI. Wetherholt was third (finalists) and fourth (overall) with 16 runs driven in.
Ortiz topped the finalists with 11 stolen bases (in 12 attempts). The only other organizational player with more in June was Springfield outfielder Joshua Baez with 14.
Only one of the seven finalists drew more walks than he struck out, Rodriguez at 13 to 12, though Hernandez evened them up at 12.
In runs scored, Wetherholt compiled the full system lead in July with 18.
Taking it all into account, Wetherholt’s strong July across the board, his first partial month at the highest level of the minor leagues, gives him the honor of The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Month.
The 22-year-old led the system in runs scored, home runs, extra base hits, slugging percentage and OPS. Among finalists, Wetherholt was second in doubles and lowest strikeout rate.
Everyone probably knows the reason Wetherholt fell to the Cardinals with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 Draft despite perhaps having been the best hitter in the class. His junior season at West Virginia was curtailed due to injury.
After a solid debut late last season at Palm Beach, Wetherholt has already mastered High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield in 2025. His Texas League OPS+ was a league-best 152 upon his July 7 promotion. Wetherholt also played in the MLB Futures Game during last month, though those results are not included here.
If he continues to perform at this level in August, the questions about when Wetherholt, who added second base to his defensive portfolio this season, will be called up to St. Louis will only increase.
Congratulations to The Cardinal Nation’s top-ranked prospect, JJ Wetherholt, The Cardinal Nation’s July Player of the Month.
How last month’s winners fared
Our June choice as Player of the Month was Memphis outfielder Nathan Church. The organization selected then-Palm Beach’s Ortiz, whose strong July results are listed above as a finalist repeater.
Church didn’t have a bad July, either, as he slashed .304/.364/.443/.807 with the Redbirds. His 24 hits led the system. The 24-year-old outfielder also kept his walks (eight) and strikeouts (nine) close in his third consecutive solid month.
What is next?
Look for The Cardinal Nation’s July Pitcher of the Month article, the companion to this one, coming very soon.
Also, the Cardinals organization should name their own selections of July Player and Pitcher of the Month in the upcoming days.
Now Available – 2025 Cardinals Prospect Guide
The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide is back for its eighth year. It includes 256 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of all-new player scouting reports. Order and download the PDF today or order your printed book copy to ship the next business day.
All paid members can purchase our Prospect Guide PDF at 50% off. Thank you for your support of The Cardinal Nation!
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The Triple-A Redbirds went 5-1 last week to improve to 15-15 in the second half. Outfielder Matt Koperniak hit two home runs on each of the last two Thursdays, Cesar Prieto had two four-hit games and Curtis Taylor is the IL Pitcher of the Week.
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A 2-3 week dropped the rookie Cardinals to four games back in the division race. Shortstop Miguel Hernandez paced the offense, batting .357 with five RBI, both team highs.
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How the ceiling of allowable minor league players is being managed by the St. Louis Cardinals to accommodate the additions of their 2025 draft class as well as potential trade acquisitions at the deadline.
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Placing 2025 draftees into The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 Prospect List headlines our July monthly update. Brian Walton and Kyle Reis exchange notes as to who should go where and why. Not surprisingly, they agree on first rounder Liam Doyle.
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By virtue of having the fifth overall pick in the 2025 Draft, the St. Louis Cardinals were able to spend more money on signing bonuses than ever before but stopped their usual practice of exceeding 100% of their pool allocation.
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In their ongoing battle for first place, the rookie Cardinals went 2-2 this week. RHP Branneli Franco and 3B Edward Guribe are Dominican Summer League All-Stars.
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On Thursday, July 17, the St. Louis Cardinals announced a series of player transactions, led by the first-time promotion of right-hander Max Rajcic to Triple-A Memphis.
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Red-hot right-handed starting pitcher Tekoah Roby has been placed on the seven-day injured list at Memphis. He becomes the sixth ranked Cardinals starter on the IL at Triple-A and Double-A.
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photo: Cade Crossland (University of Oklahoma Athletics)
The St. Louis Cardinals are selecting 17 players in Day 2 of the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, led by lefty Cade Crossland of the University of Oklahoma.
The second and final day of the 2025 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, with the St. Louis Cardinals selections’ being made by AGM/Scouting Director Randy Flores, consists of 17 selections covering rounds 4-20 on Monday, July 14.
St. Louis’ initial Day 2 selection at 120th overall is left-handed pitcher Cade Crossland of the University of Oklahoma. He is MLB Pipeline’s no. 207 draft prospect.
See the Cardinals full 2025 Draft Day 1 details here.
Return to this article at The Cardinal Nation often on Monday afternoon and evening as information about all St. Louis’ day 2 draft picks will be posted shortly as soon as possible after they are made.
To reference the Cardinals’ new draft class on an ongoing basis here at The Cardinal Nation, each player will have a profile located on a holding team called “DRAFT UNSIGNED PLAYERS”. This can be accessed at the bottom of the drop-down menu in the red column in the left menu called “ROSTERS/PLAYERS/MOVES” or click here.
Post draft summary
Here are the 21 picks from the entire draft broken out by class in school and by position as announced by the Cardinals.
By Class
College Jr
College Sr
High School
14
6
1
By Position
LHP
RHP
C
2
10
1
1B
SS
3B
1
3
1
OF
3
After the Day 2 selections concluded, Cardinals Assistant GM and Director of Scouting Randy Flores met with the media.
Regarding the high number of swing and miss pitchers selected, Flores said that picking fifth overall “set the tone”. He focused on potentially expanding the use of multiple inning relievers as the Cardinals “go bigger in their range of outcomes.”
Who cannot be encouraged that the organization is taking swings at big arms instead of loading up on safer picks with lower ceilings?
I asked him if there is a correlation between the Cardinals not taking a hard-to-sign high schooler (“Parachute Pick”) at the end of the draft and a higher level of confidence they can sign their top picks.
Flores basically agreed, saying there is less risk in any of their top selections “going sideways” in the signing process.
To that point, teams have just two weeks to get their draftees under contract. This year’s deadline is Monday, July 28.
Though two of the three outfielders are right-handed hitting, Flores did not link that to St. Louis’ current need.
Crossland is well-traveled. He started in Division II then went the junior college route before landing at Oklahoma for his junior season. For the Sooners, Crossland was limited by a back injury and struggled to a 6.32 ERA, but his 84 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings generated attention.
Crossland has a low to mid-90s fastball that can touch 98. He also features a changeup that is a plus offering and a slider that remains a work in progress.
Flores acknowledged that Crossland’s strikeouts are “big” and the Cardinals have a history drafting Oklahoma players (including Braden Davis one year ago). “He (Crossland) has better days ahead in pro ball,” the scouting director concluded.
Crossland was Baseball America’s no. 173 player in this draft class and 207th per MLB Pipeline.
A third baseman in high school, Young moved the mound as a collegian. Starting at Hillsborough Community College in 2023, he moved to Catwaba Valley Community College in 2024, where he fanned 49 against just 10 walks in 35 2/3 innings.
Young moved to ECU for 2025. In 23 long relief appearances for the Pirates, he fanned 92 against 34 walks in 70 1/3 innings. He sports a mid-90s fastball that touches 99. Young also has a mid-80s slider that some call “filthy” and less frequently used changeup and curve.
He is another example of a pitcher who did not start in college who may receive that opportunity as a professional.
Young was not among MLB Pipeline’s Top 250 draft eligible prospects. He was no. 355 on Baseball America’s list.
Signing scout: TC Calhoun
The pool amount for this pick is $470,100.
Sixth round, 180th overall
Matthew Miura (University of Hawaii Athletics)
Matthew Miura, center fielder University of Hawaii, junior 5’11, 185 pounds Bats/Throws: R/R Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Miura, a center fielder, has good bat to ball skills as evidenced by his performance in the Northlands and Cape Cod summer wooden bat leagues. In 55 games in 2024 in the Northlands, Miura stole 34 bases in 41 attempts and posted a .957 OPS. This summer in the Cape, his OPS was .801 and he stole seven bags in 16 games.
In 55 games with the Rainbows this spring, Miura slashed .338/.454/.460/.914 with 18 steals in 24 attempts. His walk count of 46 (against just 20 strikeouts) led the Big West Conference. Miura was especially good when it counted, hitting .481 with runners in scoring position and .410 with two outs.
For the second consecutive draft, the Cardinals took a recent Tommy John patient in the seventh round. Last year’s pick, Andrew Dutkanych from Vanderbilt, just made his professional debut last week.
A similar expectation should be attached to Graham, who made just one start this spring prior to requiring April surgery, but had previously impressed in the 2024 Northwoods League (1.99 ERA and 33 Ks in 22 2/3 IP).
Graham has a still-improving mid-90’s fastball that can reach 97 plus two breaking balls including a plus curve. Command had been an action item, but we will have to see what happens in 2026 post-recovery.
Graham was MLB Pipeline’s 221th ranked draft eligible prospect and 254th on Baseball America’s list.
Flores likes the upside of his arm and cited the way he works as an indication he will be disciplined during his long rehab ahead. The scouting director also believed that without the injury, Graham would not have been available in the seventh round. (Some think he has top three round talent.)
Signing scout: Donnie Marbut
The pool amount for this pick is $280,800.
Eighth round, 240th overall
Ryan Weingartner (Penn State University Athletics)
Ryan Weingartner, SS Penn State University, junior 5’11, 184 pounds Bats/Throws: R/R Hometown: Berlin, NJ
Weingartner spent his first two seasons at St. Joseph and received first team all-Atlantic 10 honors as a sophomore in 2024. He transferred to Penn State for his junior season and had an .853 OPS.
The 21-year-old has a reputation for not chasing. He walked (44) almost as much as he struck out (49) and his 30 stolen bases (in 33 attempts) set a new Nittany Lions record. Weingartner’s run tool is his best at 60.
Weingartner reportedly hit the ball hard at the Draft Combine. That coupled with his 11 home runs suggest there could be more power coming.
Defensively, second base may be his eventual home. Flores called out Weingartner’s versatility as a differentiator.
Weingartner was MLB Pipeline’s 240th ranked draft eligible prospect.
Signing scout: Jim Negrych
The pool amount for this pick is $226,500.
Ninth round, 270th overall
Michael Dattalo (Dallas Baptist University Athletics)
Michael Dattalo, 3B Dallas Baptist University (TX), junior 6’0, 204 pounds Bats/Throws: R/R Hometown: Keller, TX
Dattalo began at Northwestern State and also played in the Cape Cod League in 2024. In two seasons at Dallas Baptist, Dattalo slashed .332/.414/.477/.891. In 2025, he walked more (41) than he struck out (32).
Dattalo is considered more of a hit over power prospect and may end up at first base defensively.
Van Dyke began at Seminole State College and remained in the Sunshine State. As a senior in 2025, Van Dyke was named to the Baseball America All-America Third Team, which is notable since he hails from the Atlantic Sun Conference.
This season, Van Dyke served as the Stetson Hatters’ closer. He appeared in 27 games, with 7-0 record, nine saves, a 1.52 ERA, 16 walks and 71 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings.
Van Dyke has two-pitch offering that slates him for relief. His fastball is 91-93 mph and tops at 95-97. He also has a low 80’s slider that he can keep around the zone.
Van Dyke was Baseball America’s 351st ranked draft eligible prospect.
In his junior year this season, Flores batted just .239 with a .317 OBP at the University of Texas. The free swinger has even splits and potential 20-home run power, though his free swinging ways will restrict his batting average.
While a Longhorn, Flores was tutored by former MLB All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzski. If he cannot remain at short, Flores has the arm (his best tool at 60) and bat to be able to handle third base.
Flores on Flores: The scouting director singled out the player’s “track record up the middle” as his differentiator.
Flores was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the 235th prospect in this draft class. As such, it might require the Cardinals to go a bit above the $150,000 base to sign him.
Signing scout: Pete Parise
12th round, 360th overall
Kaden Echeman (Northern Kentucky University Athletics)
Echeman, currently 22 1/2 years old, is one of the older players in this class. He is a senior after having missed his junior year.
The righty made up for some of his lost time by pitching in the Cape Cod League this summer, posting a 2.25 ERA in four starts. Echeman fanned 24 but walked eight in 16 frames.
His fastball is in the 91-92 range and touches 96 with exceptional shape and movement.
This spring for Northern Kentucky, Echeman logged a 4.34 ERA in 12 appearances including eight starts. He struck out 87 and walked 23 in 56 innings.
Signing scout: Jason Bryans
13th round, 390th overall
Jake Shelagowski (Saginaw Valley State Athletics)
Jake Shelagowski, RHP Saginaw Valley State (MI), junior 6’3, 210 pounds Bats/Throws: R/R Hometown: Saginaw, MI
Shelagowski stayed close to home, attending college in his home town. He redshirted in 2023 and pitched in very limited action in 2024, with six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings with a 4.05 ERA.
He took over the closer job for the Cardinals this season, setting a new school record with 11 saves. Shelagowski struck out 13.8 batters per nine innings and posted a 3.78 ERA.
Signing scout: Jason Bryans
Jake Shelagowski for @svsubaseball earns save No. 11 on the final day of the regular season, setting a new single-season record in saves!🎉
Watts spent his freshman year at Creighton before transferring to Iowa. With the Hawkeyes, the right-hander featured the combination of a low to mid 90’s fastball that touches 96 and a upper 80’s slider.
Working exclusively out of the bullpen, Watts had a better year in 2024 (3.18 ERA) than in 2025 (4.72). This season, he struck out 45 and walked 19 in 40 innings.
Signing scout: Mauricio Rubio
RHP Anthony Watts (@UIBaseball) pumping heat at 93-95, up to 96. Firm & tight SL (clip) flashed bite in 86-90 range.
Haskins played all four seasons at Stanford with his senior season his best. In 2025, the right-handed hitter slashed .294/.341/.508/.849. He slammed a career-high 14 home runs in 221 at-bats. Haskins struck out just 32 times, but took far fewer walks with just 12.
Haskins played in the wood bat leagues each summer, starting in the Northwoods League in 2022 and the Cape Cod League in 2023, and briefly in 2024. In 2023, he starred with a 1.067 OPS.
Defensively, Haskins has experience at second and third base as well as short.
As you can see by the list of offensive results below, Nickens had a tremendous season that included All-America recognition.
Of course, the Cardinals also noted this. Flores reminded us that his scouts were looking for outliers and Nickens has already “made the jump in performance.” Specifics include exit velocity and power. The scouting director said the Cardinals are “taking a stab on his upswing.”
Nickens began his college journey with three seasons at the University of Houston before experiencing this major jump in performance in 2025 at Austin Peay.
Signing scout: TC Calhoun
Cameron Nickens, OF 2025 Draft Prospect
AVG Exit Velo: 93.3 mph Hard Hit %: 70.3% Peak Exit Velo: 114.9 mph
Driessen pitched three seasons at South Dakota State (2023-25) and finished third in program history with an average of 12.93 strikeouts per nine innings (148 K/103 IP). He posted a 5.77 ERA with seven saves in 61 career games.
The right-hander was the Jackrabbits’ closer as a junior in 2025. He posted a team-best six saves while striking out 50 in 35 innings and held opposing hitters to a collective .233 batting average.
Signing scout: Mauricio Rubio
19th round, 570th overall
Liam Best (Matthew Seaman/Appalachian State Athletics)
The right-hander began his college career at George Washington University, then moved to the State College of Florida before transferring to Appalachian State.
In 2025, Best made 22 appearances including seven starts and logged a 5.36 ERA. He struck out 50 in 40 1/3 innings, holding opposing hitters to a .248 batting average.
Signing scout: TC Calhoun
20th round, 600th overall
Chase Heath (Andrew Mather/University of Central Missouri Athletics)
Chase Heath, catcher University of Central Missouri, senior 5’10, 200 pounds Bats/Throws: R/R Hometown: O’Fallon, MO
Following his season with Central Missouri, Heath competed in the MLB Draft League, hitting .310 with 12 RBI and five steals in 14 games.
He offers an interesting combination of offense and defense. Heath won an MIAA Conference Gold Glove in 2024, and hit 27 home runs over his career while hitting .349 with a 1.049 OPS. He took 58 walks against just 44 strikeouts in 146 career games.
Flores called Heath “a good catcher”, is “good with the staff” and has “a good reputation”. It is plus that he is area product.
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photo: Liam Doyle (University of Tennessee Athletics)
On Sunday evening, June 13, the St. Louis Cardinals named their first four selections during Day 1 of the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, encompassing the first three rounds.
The first three rounds of the 20-round 2025 Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft were held on Sunday evening, July 13 in Atlanta, Georgia. For the fifth year, the draft is reduced to 20 rounds and held a month later than traditionally, now as part of MLB’s All-Star Weekend.
New for 2025 is the condensing of the draft from three days to two. On Monday, rounds 4-20 will complete the annual exercise.
By virtue of their subpar 2024 season, the St. Louis Cardinals received the fifth overall selection in the first round via lottery. It is their earliest selection since they took J.D. Drew fifth in 1997.
For the first time in three years, the Cardinals did not forfeit their second rounder and associated pool money plus the loss of $500,000 international cap space. In 2023, the penalty was for the signing of free agent Willson Contreras during the prior off-season. The addition of Sonny Gray was the reason for the 2024 lost pick.
Instead of losing an early pick this year, the Cardinals gain one, in the Competitive Balance Round B. The 72nd overall selection, between the second and third rounds, was awarded based on a formula that considers team market size and revenue. The goal is to promote competitive balance by giving additional picks to smaller market and lower revenue teams.
The Cardinals organization’s 17 picks in the third through 20th rounds will be made on Monday, starting at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time. Both days’ proceedings will be streamed live by MLB.com.
The Cardinals have been assigned a pool total of $14,238,300 to cover the signing bonuses for their 11 players selected in the first 10 rounds plus any bonuses greater than $150,000 for draftees selected in rounds 11-20.
To reference the Cardinals’ new draft class on an ongoing basis here at The Cardinal Nation, each player will have a profile located on a holding team called “DRAFT UNSIGNED PLAYERS”. This can be accessed at the bottom of the drop-down menu in the red column in the left menu called “ROSTERS/PLAYERS/MOVES” or click here.
St. Louis’ selections – 2025 draft day 1
First round, fifth overall – Liam Doyle, LHP
Liam Doyle University of Tennessee 6’2, 220 pounds Bats: Right Throws: Left Hometown: Derry, NH
The Cardinals had to be delighted when the first two picks in the draft were unexpected, meaning several of the top players in the draft were still available when their first pick came up.
Coming into the draft, Doyle was ranked as the number eight prospect available according to both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. However, Baseball America’s most recent mock draft had Doyle going to the Angels as the number two pick.
Undrafted out of high school, Doyle spent one season each at three different universities including two in the SEC. He began at Coastal Carolina in 2023, then at moved to Ole Miss in 2024 and finished at Tennessee this spring.
In 2025, Doyle posted a 3.20 ERA over 95 2/3 innings in 17 starts/19 appearances. His 164 strikeouts and 15.43 K per nine innings rate with the Vols were second and first, respectively, in Division I in his junior year.
Doyle relies on a riding fastball that is consistently 95-97 mph and can reach 100. It’s one of the best fastballs in the 2025 class, considered a 70- or 75-grade offering.
He throws three off-speed offerings, a low-80s slider, an upper-80s cutter and a mid-80s splitter, with the latter his most advanced pitch.
There is some concern that Doyle’s over-the-top, high-effort delivery might put him in a relief role eventually, but his consistency and stuff suggests he could be a fast mover through the system.
Cardinals assistant general manager/director of scouting Randy Flores spoke with the media via Zoom shortly after the four selections were made Sunday evening.
As one would expect, he was delighted with the Doyle pick, noting his fastball scarcity and left-handed arm talent made the opportunity to grab him “too rare to pass by.”
In fact, Flores said he hopes that each of the organization’s players selected have an “outlier” that distinguishes them from others.
Liam Doyle comments
Liam Doyle and media (St. Louis Cardinals Zoom)
Doyle offered his opening remarks as a Cardinal on Sunday evening, via Zoom as well.
He said he has always had a competitive mentality, that of the underdog, and that some of that is the result of him being from the Northeast.
The New Hampshire native is very aware of a Cardinals Hall of Fame pitcher from his state, as he played travel ball with Chris Carpenter’s son and was around the mound legend regularly.
Looking forward, Doyle plans to keep working on the development of his off-speed stuff. He noted he made good leaps in 2025 and there is no reason it cannot continue going forward.
I asked him about his throwing regimen since he last pitched in a game for the Vols on June 8. Doyle said he has stayed in his game routine, throwing four to five times per week including a Tuesday bullpen season – everything except 100 pitches on Friday night. He says he could be ready in a week for whatever the Cardinals want him to do.
It will be interesting to see if Doyle or any of the newly drafted pitchers experience their first professional game action this summer. The prior player development regime almost always held back pitchers the first year.
Second round, 55th overall – Ryan Mitchell, CF
Ryan Mitchell (Houston, TN High School)
Ryan Mitchell Houston High School, Tennessee 6’2, 185 pounds Bats: Left Throws: Right Hometown: Germantown, TN
The Georgia Tech commit was a shortstop in high school in Germantown, a suburb of Memphis. The Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year slashed .462/.615/.932/1.547 while hitting 12 home runs and driving in 55 this spring.
The 18-year-old was part of the gold medal-winning USA Baseball’s 15U National Team. Mitchell was exactly the no. 55-ranked draft prospect according to MLB Pipeline and was no. 48 per Baseball America.
Flores noted Mitchell’s “very good speed and aggressiveness”, that he is very confident going the other way and has an advanced hit tool.
Mitchell’s standout tools lead with his hit at 55/60 and run at 55 (on the 20-80 scale). He has a quick stroke from the left side, uses the entire field and rarely chases out of the zone.
Amid questions about his defense, Mitchell was announced by the Cardinals as an outfielder, specifically a center fielder as clarified by Flores.
Franklin is the third of three Cardinals draft picks connected to the state of Tennessee and the second to possess a big fastball, 70 on the 20-80 scale. Franklin regularly hits 94-98 mph and touches 102.
Flores noted the “unique vertical angle” of Franklin’s fastball and that “hitters have a difficulty squaring up and making contact with it.”
Franklin also throws a hard cutter which averages 90 mph with a peak of 93 but rarely shows his third and fourth pitches (slider and changeup). That leads some to project him as a big-league reliever.
However, the Cardinals don’t see Franklin as a “normal bullpen guy”. Flores is intrigued by Franklin’s ability to throw multiple innings and said the Cardinals plan to “extend him” on the mound.
After pitching two seasons at Kennesaw State, where he had problems with walks, Franklin joined the Vols for his 2025 junior season. With a calmer delivery, he cut his walk rate from 20% to 6% but still has work to do on his control.
In 38 2/3 innings this spring, he fanned 52 and walked nine. As he was hittable at times, Franklin’s 2025 ERA was 4.89.
MLB Pipeline ranked Franklin as the no. 124 prospect in this draft class. He was no. 122 per BA. So, this could represent a potential money-saving selection for the Cardinals.
St. Louis’ signing scout is TC Calhoun.
The pool amount for this pick is $1,145,900.
Third round, 89th overall – Jack Gurevitch, 1B
Jack Gurevitch (University of San Diego Athletics)
Jack Gurevitch University of San Diego 6’0, 215 pounds Bats: Left Throws: Right Hometown: Pacific Palisades, CA
The 21-year-old was a Cape Cod League All-Star in the summer of 2024, after the second of his two seasons with the University of San Diego.
The left-handed hitting Gurevitch drives the ball to all fields with solid power and at an above-average level to his pull side. He improved in his 2025 junior campaign with the Toreros with career bests of a .371/.477/.681/1.158 slash line, 17 home runs and a 15.5% walk rate.
Flores commented on Guervitch’s power and contact to all fields. He continued that the Cardinals were comfortable with the pick given the first baseman’s college coach, Brock Ungricht, is a former Cardinals scout (2017-2018).
The scouting director noted that Gurevitch’s exit velo stood out but that he featured a low chase rate as well. In the case of many others, the two were both not favorable. Flores closed by commenting that Gurevitch is “not just a masher but is a hitter with power.”
Gurevitch was Baseball America’s no. 90 ranked player in this class, but MLB Pipeline’s 144th draft prospect. First base is his likely defensive home long term.
The organization’s signing scout is Chris Rodriguez.
The pool amount for this pick is $879,000.
What is next?
Check back at The Cardinal Nation on Monday evening for details of Day 2 of the 2025 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide is back for its eighth year. It includes 256 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of all-new player scouting reports. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!
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As another Futures Game has come and gone, St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Tink Hence is injured again (still?) as his career stalls at Double-A. What are his future options?
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Palm Beach Cardinals first/third baseman Deniel Ortiz and Springfield Cardinals right-handed starting pitcher Hancel Rincon are the system’s top pitcher and player during June per the St. Louis Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals today (Tuesday, July 8) announced their selections for Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for June, with Palm Beach Cardinals (A) third baseman Deniel Ortiz (pronounced DEH-nee-uhl) and Springfield Cardinals (AA) right-handed starting pitcher Hancel Rincon taking home the honors.
Ortiz, 20, slashed .333/.449/.556 with 11 RBI, 18 runs scored, 10 extra-base hits and eight stolen bases in 21 games played. His 1.005 OPS ranked third among all qualified Cardinals minor leaguers. His stellar month of play included reaching safely in 19 of 21 games, nine multi-hit efforts, a game-tying, two out, 9th inning RBI double vs. Lakeland on June 11, and a 3-for-3 3 RBI performance with a career-high three extra-base hits at Daytona on June 27.
“This recognition is a result of Deniel’s hard work and perseverance, along with the dedication of his hitting coach, Paul Benoit,” said Cardinals Director of Player Development Larry Day. “Early in the season, Deniel was consistently hitting the ball hard, but the results hadn’t yet followed. He stayed committed to his process and approach, and with guidance from Willie McGee and our hitting team, made slight adjustments to his pregame routine. Those tweaks helped him drive the ball at more productive angles, leading to the success we’re now seeing.”
Selected in the 16th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Walters State (Tenn.) Community College, the 6’0”, 250-pounder was also recognized as the Florida State League Player of the Month after leading all qualified league players in slugging and OPS. The Puerto Rico native is slashing .282/.410/.444 with 18 extra-base hits, 29 RBI and 24 SB in his first professional season. He is the second Palm Beach hitter to earn organizational Player of the Month honors this season, joining his former teammate 1B/C Josh Kross (April).
Rincon, 23, posted a 2-1 record with a 3.42 ERA (10 ER/26.1 IP), 1.14 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts across five appearances with High-A Peoria (one app.) and Springfield (four). Rincon ranked first among all Cardinals minor league hurlers in SO and SO/9 (12.65), fourth in WHIP (1.14) and innings pitched, and fifth in opponent average (.206) (min. 15.0 IP). His month was highlighted by his first promotion to Double-A on June 9, followed by a win in his Double-A debut vs. Tulsa on June 10 (5.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 SO), and a 6.0 inning, 1-hit outing on June 22 vs. Corpus Christi in which he established a new career-high with 11 strikeouts.
“Hancel has been outstanding all season. The solid, dynamic foundation he’s built with his pitching team—through his throwing program and bullpen routines—has been a major factor in his success,” stated Day. “Recently, he’s made strides in landing off-speed pitches early in counts and attacking the zone with his full arsenal. When you pair those developments with his ultra-competitive mindset, it’s no surprise that he—and the organization—are seeing the results of his hard work.”
Signed by the Cardinals as an international free-agent out of the Dominican Republic in January 2019, Rincon has compiled a 3-3 record with a 4.24 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 84 strikeouts across 15 games (13 starts) this season. He has struck out 26.8% of batters faced on the year, nearly 8% higher than his career rate over the last three seasons (19.0%) since coming stateside. It marks his second career Pitcher of the Month Award having previously won in May 2023 with Palm Beach.
Brian Walton’s take
Congratulations to the organization’s choices.
Earlier, The Cardinal Nation selected Memphis outfielder Nathan Church as our June Player of the Month and Rincon’s teammate, reliever Ricardo Velez, is our choice as the Pitcher of the Month.
Refer to the articles below for detailed stats on approximately 10 finalists for each award, including three of the four winners.
Rincon was not among TCN’s finalists, as his 3.42 ERA was only 25th-lowest among pitchers in the system with at least 10 innings pitched in June.
One difference between our views is that Cardinals draw their innings pitched line at 15, rather than 10 as we do. The higher bar can tend to exclude many relievers. The organization also seem to weigh strikeouts more heavily than ERA.
Among our qualifiers, several pitchers had a higher strikeout rate than Rincon last month, but all are relievers. They include Springfield’s Luis Gastelum (16.78 K/9 in 12 1/3 innings) and Peoria’s Tanner Jacobson (13.06 K/9 in 10 1/3 frames). Palm Beach’s Mason Burns, one of our finalists, came in at 12.6 K/9, just behind Rincon.
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Other organizations staffing the Glendale roster are the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox. Home games are played at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, the spring home of the Dodgers and White Sox.
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Cardinals Tune Minors Rosters for the New Week
The second and final day of the 2025 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, with the St. Louis Cardinals selections’ being made by AGM/Scouting Director Randy Flores, consists of 17 selections covering rounds 4-20 on Monday, July 14.
