photo: Matt Koperniak (Memphis Redbirds)

The Triple-A Memphis Redbirds improved in 2024, snapping a streak of four consecutive losing seasons with a balanced 74-74 record. Though the pitching led the offense, outfielder Matt Koperniak is their lone International League All-Star.

Player turnover affected Memphis even before the season began, with speedy center fielder Victor Scott II earning a spot on St. Louis’s Opening Day lineup following an impressive spring. The Redbirds also lost key outfielders during spring training, which created early challenges. Throughout the season, the team struggled to find consistent top-of-the-order players who could get on base to set up power hitters like first baseman Luken Baker and right fielder Jordan Walker to drive in runs.

Memphis broke its annual losing streak by playing solid .500 baseball. However, they were unable to sustain any significant winning streaks due to inconsistent performances from their offense and pitching staff.

For example, in April, the Redbirds lost nine games by two or fewer runs. In May, they improved, with only four such losses, but still experienced heartbreaking one-run defeats, including two narrow losses in a three-game series against the Durham Bulls. In June, Memphis lost 13 games, five of which were also by two or fewer runs.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

The Redbirds got off to a challenging start in April, with a 10-14 record. Despite the losing mark, many games were competitive, with several of the 14 losses coming in tight, winnable contests. This set the stage for what became a season-long trend: Memphis frequently struggled in close games, which kept them from establishing momentum.

May was a different story, as the Redbirds found their rhythm, finishing with a 17-11 record. It was their strongest stretch of the season and included a five-game winning streak to start the month, highlighted by a sweep over the Durham Bulls. During this period, the team showed its potential when both the pitching and hitting were firing on all cylinders. This strong performance provided hope for a more consistent rest of the season.

June brought the Redbirds back to an even 13-13 record, as the team sustained a four-game losing streak. Despite the rough patches, the month was largely characterized by competitive games, with the Redbirds still managing to hold their own. However, they couldn’t quite sustain the momentum they built in May, and the team hovered around .500.

In July, the Redbirds slumped to an 8-15 record. This was their most challenging month, as nine of those losses were by two or fewer runs. Memphis struggled to finish games, resulting in a rough stretch leading up to the All-Star break. Despite their efforts, they concluded the first half of the season with a 38-37 record, just above the .500 mark. The Redbirds were in fourth place in the division, 12 games out of the lead.

In August, the Redbirds rebounded slightly, with a 14-13 record. However, the pattern of close losses continued to haunt them, as they dropped seven games by two or fewer runs. This prevented Memphis from going on the kind of winning streak that could have propelled them higher in the standings. The Redbirds were consistently competitive but could not quite put it all together.

In September, the Redbirds closed out the season better, with a 10-7 record. Despite the positive finish, five of the losses were again by two or fewer runs. However, the Redbirds managed to snap their streak of four consecutive losing seasons, finishing the second half of the year with a 37-38 record. Memphis finished in a tie for fifth place, 11.5 games behind Columbus.

While inconsistency in pitching and hitting held them back from making a larger impact in the standings, Memphis ultimately ended the season on a positive note, showing promise for the future.

Team Stats Overview

As noted, the Memphis Redbirds’ 2024 season was largely defined by their inability to win close games, with many losses by two runs or fewer.

Despite ranking eighth in team batting average in the 20-team International League at .256 (1249-for-4874), many of these hits were either empty (with no runners on base) or the team struggled to deliver in clutch situations with runners in scoring position. This failure to come through in key offensive moments contributed to their inability to maintain long winning streaks throughout the season.

Not unlike their major league parent, the Redbirds had trouble scoring runs at any time. Their season total of 701 tied for second lowest in the 20-team International League.

On the pitching side, the staff performed fairly well, recording a 4.57 ERA, sixth in the IL. The pitchers held opposing hitters to a .259 batting average.

However, the bullpen struggled in crucial moments, blowing 16 save opportunities, which cost the Redbirds pivotal wins in tight games. This mixture of missed offensive opportunities and late-game pitching collapses ultimately kept Memphis from achieving a winning season.

Offensive Leaders

The defending IL MVP, first baseman Luken Baker, was again a force, blasting a league-leading 32 home runs before earning a late August call-up to St. Louis. Third baseman Cesar Prieto also made a significant impact, finishing second in the league with 35 doubles. Consistent right fielder Matt Koperniak was a season-long contender for the International League batting title, ultimately ranking third with an impressive .309 batting average (143-for-463).

Luken Baker

Baker not only led the Redbirds in home runs but also paced the team with 79 RBI and 60 walks. Koperniak, meanwhile, was a standout all-around player, leading the team in batting average (.309), and second in home runs (20), RBI (73), and doubles (28). These key offensive contributors were instrumental in Memphis’ ability to remain competitive throughout the season.

Pitching Leaders

Right-hander Michael McGreevy was once again the Redbirds’ workhorse, taking the ball every fifth day and pitching 150 innings, second in the International League this season. McGreevy also was third in strikeouts with 138 and tied for first with 12 quality starts. He consistently delivered strong outings, helping anchor the pitching staff and was rewarded with a September promotion to St. Louis.

Michael McGreevy

Right-hander Ryan Loutos ranked second in the International League with 18 saves (in 20 opportunities), showcasing his reliability in closing out games. Another standout, right-hander Gordon Graceffo, was one of only eight starting pitchers in the International League to record at least 10 wins during the 2024 season.

Ryan Loutos

Graceffo led the Redbirds with 10 wins, followed closely by McGreevy with nine. McGreevy’s 138 strikeouts led the team, while left-hander Zack Thompson (108 strikeouts) and Graceffo (107 strikeouts) also contributed significantly. Contrasting with Loutos’ 18 saves, right-hander Chris Roycroft led the team in blown saves with five (in 11 opportunities).

Award Winners

Sem Robberse

On April 22, right-hander Sem Robberse was named the International League Pitcher of the Week following a dominant performance in which he pitched eight innings, allowed just one run, and struck out eight batters. This outing was part of a five-game winning streak for Robberse before he missed 2 ½ months due to injury.

César Prieto

For May, third baseman Cesar Prieto was awarded Cardinals Minor League Player of the Month honors. During the month, Prieto hit .274 (26-for-95) with eight doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 15 RBI while scoring 16 runs, a performance that highlighted his offensive capability.

Thomas Saggese

In July, infielder Thomas Saggese earned International League Player of the Month honors. On September 10, the 22-year-old was promoted to St. Louis for the first time and finished the season there.

Matt Koperniak

Outfielder Matt Koperniak was the IL Player of the Week for the period of July 29-August 4.

On Wednesday, October 2, Koperniak was named the Redbirds’ lone Pacific Coast League All-Star, selected as the designated hitter. For the season, Koperniak, 26, slashed .309/.370/.512/.882 with 20 home runs, 28 doubles and 73 RBI. He led the league with 143 hits and tied for second in total bases (237) and third in batting average (.309) and OPS (.882).

What is next?

Much more detail on the Memphis Redbirds’ top hitters, relievers and starting pitchers is coming as we select the best of the best in upcoming articles.

Check out The Cardinal Nation’s annual article series highlighting team results and top hitters and pitchers across the entire St. Louis Cardinals system. The Dominican Summer League Cardinals Relief Pitcher of the Year is next up.

The Cardinal Nation’s Team Recaps and Top Players of 2024

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Curtis Chamblee can be reached at c.chamblee@memphis.edu.

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