2025 Memphis Redbirds Player of the YearThe Cardinal Nation 2025 Memphis Redbirds Player of the Year is Bryan Torres. The second baseman-outfielder topped the 20-team International League with a .441 on-base percentage and finished third in the circuit with a .328 batting average.
2025 Memphis Redbirds Starting Pitcher of the YearWith the most innings pitched and strikeouts, lowest ERA and best record, Curtis Taylor is our selection as the top Starting Pitcher on the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.
photo: Curtis Taylor (Memphis Redbirds)
The Cardinals Triple-A affiliate forged a winning record in both halves on the way to an 80-68 record. It is the Redbirds’ most wins since their last playoff appearance in 2018. Catcher Jimmy Crooks is the RBI leader while Curtis Taylor paced the mound staff.
Historic moment
On Wednesday, May 21st at Jacksonville, Ben Johnson won his 368th game, becoming the all-time winningest manager in the history of the Memphis Redbirds. The local product surpassed Chris Maloney, who led the Redbirds from 2007 to 2011.
Johnson finished the season with 423 wins and the 44-year-old may continue with the Redbirds for years to come.
Hitting standouts
Among the top hitters during 2025 was catcher Jimmy Crooks, with 14 home runs, 79 RBI (first on the Redbirds and second in the Cardinals system), and a slugging percentage of .441.
Right fielder Matt Koperniak also hit 14 home runs, drove in 65 and slugged .382.
In just 47 games with Memphis, shortstop JJ Wetherholt hit 10 home runs, had 25 RBIs, and a team best SLG of .562.
Outfielder-second baseman Bryan Torres missed winning the league batting title by just six points, finishing third at .328. His .441 on-base percentage was highest in the IL.
Infielder Cesar Prieto tied for the IL lead in doubles with 35 and hit an even .300 for the season prior to his promotion to St. Louis.
Pitching standouts
Among the top pitchers was Curtis Taylor, who struck out a team best 118, won a team-high 10 games and logged a starters-best ERA of 3.21.
Quinn Mathews struck out 107 in 94 innings, allowed only six home runs, and had an ERA of 3.93.
In 75 innings before joining St. Louis for good, Michael McGreevy had 78 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.72.
Reliever Andre Granillo went 5-0 with a 1.29 ERA and saved both his opportunities.
Struggling hitters
In 76 games, catcher-corner infielder Gavin Collins hit only two home runs, drove in 29, and a batting average of .221.
Playing in 59 contests, catcher Andy Yerzy hit six home runs, plated 17, and a batting average of .203.
After moving up from Springfield, in 60 games, shortstop Brody Moore hit two home runs, had 27 RBIs, and a batting average of .239.
Struggling starting pitchers
Zach Plesac allowed 54 runs in 58 2/3 innings for an ERA of 7.67 and a 1-8 record.
After his promotion from Springfield, Max Rajcic was charged with 36 runs in 45 innings for an ERA of 6.40. He went winless with four losses in 11 starts.
Ian Bedell allowed 46 runs in 52 innings for an ERA of 7.96. The right-hander went 0-5 in 14 starts.
Award winners
During the same week in mid-June, the Redbirds swept the IL Player and Pitcher of the Week awards. Infielder Jose Fermin and lefty Quinn Mathews were honored. Mathews was chosen a second time for the period of August 4-10.
For the period of July 21-27, Curtis Taylor was the league’s Pitcher of the Week.
In his first month at Triple-A, shortstop JJ Wetherholt was the Cardinals system’s July Player of the Month.
IL All-Stars
The Redbirds featured two International League All-Stars, Jose Fermin and Andre Granillo. Both also spent considerable time with St. Louis during the season.
Hitting stats (among 20 teams in the International League)
The offense led the way for the 2025 Redbirds.
Team pitching stats
Redbirds pitching was around the middle of the pack in the 20-team circuit. Considering the rash of starting pitching injuries, this is not terrible.
Among the arms to miss all of most of the season include Sem Robberse, Drew Rom, Tink Hence and Tekoah Roby. Quinn Mathews and Ian Bedell also missed considerable time.
Brought in from outside the organization, veterans Curtis Taylor (age 30) and Aaron Wilkerson (age 36) combined for 35 starts and 195 important innings with a strong 3.28 ERA.
Overall, the team had strong and consistent hitting throughout the season, though they could use pitching improvement for 2026. It looks like it is coming from the 2025 Texas League Champions at Springfield.
2025 was certainly not a bad season for the Redbirds, but the statistics suggest a better than fourth-place finish in the International League Western Division might have been possible with some additional mound reinforcements.
What is next?
In the coming days, we will reveal the best hitters, starting pitchers and relievers from every team in the Cardinals farm system.
Next, the 2025 Dominican Summer League Cardinals Relief Pitcher of the Year will be published, so be on the lookout for it.
The full schedule for The Cardinal Nation’s annual article series highlighting team results and top hitters and pitchers across the St. Louis Cardinals system can be found in the following article, with daily content running through the current month and into November.
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Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 26The Memphis Redbirds won their final homestand of the season over the St. Paul Saints (MIN), as they went 4-2, including a win on Sunday to finish the season strong. In his last 25 at-bats, Blaze Jordan hit two home runs for a team-best seven RBI and an OPS of 1.050.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 25The Memphis Redbirds won the first three games of their final homestand of the season against St. Paul (MIN), rebounding from a rough road trip in which they went 2-for-6 against Jacksonville (MIA). In his last three at-bats, catcher Carlos Linarez led the team with two home runs, three RBI, while slugging 2.667 with an OPS of 3.417.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 24The Memphis Redbirds went 4-for-6 at home vs. Rochester (WSH), before losing the first three at Jacksonville (MIA). Last week, first baseman Blaze Jordan led the team in home runs with two and RBIs with eight while slugging .625.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 23The Memphis Redbirds went 4-for-6 in Oklahoma City before taking two of three at home vs. Rochester. For the week, outfielder Mike Antico hit two home runs, drove in six, batted .500 and had an OPS of 1.642.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 22The Memphis Redbirds went 2-4 at home against Gwinnett (ATL) before winning three straight at Oklahoma City (LAD). Leading up to his promotion to St. Louis, catcher Jimmy Crooks slugged .529 in the last week.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 21The Triple-A Redbirds won five straight at Charlotte (CWS) before dropping two of three at home to Gwinnett (ATL). Infielder JJ Wetherholt led the team this week in home runs with two, plus drove in four and had an OPS of .951.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 20The Memphis Redbirds lost four of six at home to Durham (TB), before taking two of three so far at Charlotte (CWS). Outfielder Nathan Church led the team with a .360 average and 1.047 OPS this week.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 19The Triple-A Redbirds won four of six at Norfolk (BAL) before going 2-1 so far at home vs. Durham (TB). For the week, catcher Jimmy Crooks had team-bests of a .409 average and seven RBIs.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 17Since the break, the AAA Redbirds won two of three at Toledo (DET) and two of three at home over Gwinnett (ATL) with three remaining. Left fielder Matt Koperniak had a team-best three home runs (tied) and team high six RBIs. Curtis Taylor threw 11 2/3 scoreless innings across two starts.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 16The Memphis Redbirds finished their 2-4 pre-break home series with Charlotte (CWS) by going 1-2 over the final weekend. This month to date, 1B Luken Baker leads the Redbirds with three home runs, a .629 SLG and 1.034 OPS.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 15The Memphis Redbirds struggled at home against Nashville and Charlotte before ending their five-game losing streak on Thursday. In his most recent four starts, Tekoah Roby has an 0.86 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 21 innings.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 14The Triple-A Memphis Redbirds struggled at Durham (TB), losing four of six. They are up 2-1 halfway through a six-game away-home set with Nashville (MIL). Outfielder Mike Antico had a team-best batting average of .400 for the week.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – Week 13The Triple-A Memphis Redbirds ended the first half of the season with a 41-32 record after a series split with Norfolk (BAL). They began the second half of the season going 1-3 against Durham (TB) on the road. Starting pitcher Curtis Taylor led the team in strikeouts with 15 for the week and has an ERA of 2.00 over his last 18 innings pitched.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 12After winning four of six at Gwinnett (ATL), the 40-30 Redbirds have taken two of three at home over Norfolk (BAL). Catcher Jimmy Crooks led the Triple-A team with three home runs and seven RBIs for the week.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 11In recent action, the Triple-A Redbirds played .500 ball at home vs. Indianapolis as well as at Gwinnett to date, holding onto third place. Outfielder Mike Antico led Memphis with six RBI and a .500 average this week.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 10The Redbirds continued their two-week road trip against the Durham Bulls (TB), and then finally returned home for a six-game homestead against the Indianapolis Indians (PIT). Second Baseman César Prieto led the team in home runs this week with two and RBIs with 10.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 9Now in the second week of their road trip, the Memphis Redbirds more recently won four of six games at Jacksonville (MIA) and Durham (TB). Catcher Jimmy Crooks led the team in RBIs this week with nine and batting average at .476.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 8The Redbirds won four of six over Nashville and Jacksonville as infielder Jose Fermin drove in 10 and batted .429. On Wednesday, Ben Johnson became the winningest manager in team history with 368 wins.
photo: Ben Johnson (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Memphis Redbirds skipper Ben Johnson is one win away from becoming the winningest manager in the history of the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A franchise. On Sunday, as the Redbirds beat the Nashville Sounds 10-6, Johnson tied the record of former manager Chris Maloney with 367 wins. Maloney led the club from 2007 through 2011.
With today's win, Memphis native Ben Johnson tied Chris Maloney for most managerial wins in Memphis Redbirds history (367). pic.twitter.com/x0kg9BzRpj
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) May 18, 2025
“I am honored to be a part of Memphis baseball history,” Johnson said. “I remember going to Memphis Chicks games with my dad at Tim McCarver Stadium, so I am honored to represent my hometown.”
Johnson, 43, was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended and played baseball for Germantown High School. In 1998, they were runner-up in Class AAA state, with a 40-4 record.
After high school, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round in 1999. Johnson reached their then-Single-A affiliate Peoria Chiefs until he was traded to the San Diego Padres on July 31, 2000.
He was with their Triple-A affiliate, the Portland Beavers, when he received “the call” on June 26, 2005 to join San Diego. That season, Johnson was the Padres Minor League Player of the Year with a .312 batting average and 25 home runs.
After appearing in 89 games for San Diego in 2005 and 2006, the outfielder was traded to the New York Mets and primarily played for their Triple-A Affiliate, the New Orleans Baby Cakes in 2007. Johnson also appeared in nine games with New York.
Johnson was released by the Mets in May 2008. From there, he played in independent ball before signing with the Tigers in June 2010.
After playing a dozen games with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, Johnson retired with career minor league totals of 901 games played with a .262 batting average, 187 doubles, 115 home runs, 473 RBIs and 91 stolen bases.
Johnson began the non-playing phase of his career in 2012, managing the Arizona Centennials of the Freedom Pro League. He then coached high school baseball in Goodyear, Ariz. (2011-13) and was a scout with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2014-17).
In 2018, Johnson was the third base coach for the Durham Bulls (TB) before being hired by the Cardinals to manage the Redbirds. He succeeded current St. Louis first base coach Stubby Clapp who led Memphis to back-to-back Pacific Coast League titles in 2017 and 2018.
Under Johnson’s leadership starting in 2019, the Redbirds have averaged 68 wins over his five full seasons as manager. (The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID.)
The Redbirds are on a road trip this week at the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MIA), so the record will likely not be broken in front of the faithful at AutoZone Park. However, do not be surprised if the Redbirds decide to do something special for Johnson. Winning 368 games and becoming the winningest manager in franchise history is a significant accomplishment.
If you want to see the record broken, tune in starting on Tuesday night via the MLB app with an At Bat subscription.
For more information
Be sure to check out Nathan Pomerenk’s Memphis Redbirds Notebook published each Friday, exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation.
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Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 7After winning only two of six at Charlotte (CWS), the Memphis Redbirds are on a five-game losing skid, dropping the first three at home to in-state rival Nashville (MIL). Shortstop Thomas Saggese led the team in home runs this week with two and tied for the RBI lead with four.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 6The Triple-A Redbirds went 2-1 in their final home games with Louisville (CIN). However, they are off to a tough start at Charlotte, losing twice in extra innings. First baseman Matt Lloyd hit .467, with two home runs and drove in four during the 2-3 week.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 5The first place Memphis Redbirds took five of six at Norfolk (BAL) and have won two of three over Louisville (CIN) at home. Catcher Jimmy Crooks drove in seven runs this week and leads the team with 22 RBI.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 4The Triple-A Redbirds split their home series with Jacksonville (MIA), then won the first two at Norfolk (BAL). Michael McGreevy continues to lead the Memphis staff, most recently throwing six innings of one-run ball.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2025 Week 3The 9-7 Redbirds concluded the series in Nashville before returning home to face Jacksonville. Outfielder Mike Antico hit .467 and stole two bases as the Redbirds went 3-3 for the week.
