Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook – 03/15/19

photo: Zach Prendergast (Allison Rhoades/Peoria Chiefs)

Welcome to day two of our 11th year of providing results and much more from St. Louis Cardinals minor league spring training games here at The Cardinal Nation. Again this year, I am joined in these recaps by TCN analyst Derek Shore.

Following are the highlights from Friday minor league action, held on the George Kissell Quad in Jupiter, Florida. The Cardinals had their second consecutive camp day, with Memphis taking on Springfield and Palm Beach and Peoria facing off.

Pitching was ahead of the hitting in the upper level game, but the bats had their way in the Class-A contest. In both cases, the higher-level clubs took the victories for the second day in a row, with Memphis shutting out Springfield, 3-0, and Palm Beach outscoring Peoria, 7-6.

Once again this spring, Cardinals Administrator of Minor League Operations Tony Ferreira is sharing highlights from minor league spring training contests.

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

Remember these working team assignments are fluid by the day. In addition, another two dozen players have yet to be cut from Major League camp. (Roster details here.)

When players are members of The Cardinal Nation Top 50 Prospect List for 2019, their rankings are noted.

Friday’s Pitcher of the Day – Zach Prendergast, Springfield

None of our top 50 pitchers were among those who had highlights shared by the Cardinals on Friday. In fact, the only standout to go more than one inning is Prendergast, who tossed two scoreless frames, but danced around three baserunners. (Actually, there is only one top 50 member among Friday’s standout hitters, either.)

The contract of the now-23 year old was purchased by the Cardinals from Fargo-Moorhead of the independent American Association in July 2017. Prendergast immediately stepped into the Johnson City rotation and dominated in six starts. The former Seton Hall standout moved up to Peoria last season and logged a 3.08 ERA while both starting and relieving.

Honorable mention goes to Peoria reliever Ben Yokley, who fanned two of three in his perfect inning.

Brian Sanchez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Friday’s Hitter of the Day – Brian Sanchez, Palm Beach

To be honest, it has been a long time since I have written about the outfielder. Sanchez utterly dominated the 2016 Dominican Summer League, placing first in home runs, RBI, slugging, extra base hits and total bases. He was 20 years old at the time, however, in a league with pitchers as young as 16.

Since then, Sanchez batted just .200 in the 2017 GCL and skidded to .173 last season with Johnson City. To suggest he is playing for his job this spring may not be an exaggeration. A 2-for-3 day that includes a double, home run and three RBI is just what the doctor ordered.

Honorable mention is given to middle infielder Josh Shaw, who went deep and plated two in his only at-bat for Peoria.

Get the entire picture! The Cardinal Nation members can check out the full list of minor league spring training attendees and minor league spring training game schedules.

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

Memphis (2-0) 3 vs. Springfield (0-2) 0

Memphis pitching	TCN	IP	H	ER	BB	K	Notes
Thomas St. Clair		1	0	0	0	2	24 y/o RHR is 9-for-9 in save chances in two pro seasons.

Memphis hitting

Pos

TCN

RBI

Notes

Evan Mendoza

Third base prospect also played first in long look in MLB camp.

Springfield (0-2) 0 vs. Memphis (2-0) 3

Springfield pitching	TCN	IP	H	ER	BB	K	Notes
Zach Prendergast		2	2	0	1	1	Ex-indy ball arm has sharp 2.82 ERA between JC and Peo.

Springfield hitting

Pos

TCN

RBI

Notes

Brandon Riley

14th rounder from No. Carolina earned promo from JC to Peo.

Palm Beach (2-0) 7 vs. Peoria (0-2) 6

Palm Beach pitching	TCN	IP	H	ER	BB	K	Notes
Perra Dellavalle		1	2	0	0	2	Named TCN Rookie Starter of 2018 after 1.97 ERA in GCL.

Palm Beach hitting

Pos

TCN

RBI

Notes

Carlos Soto

19 y/o drove in 33 in 40 games between GCL and JC last season.

Brian Sanchez

Has been quiet since winning DSL Player of the Year in 2016.

Peoria (0-2) 6 vs. Palm Beach (2-0) 7

Peoria pitching	TCN	IP	H	ER	BB	K	Notes
Freddy Pacheco		1	0	0	1	1	1.05 ERA / .139 BAA in rookie year between DSL and GCL.
Ben Yokley		1	0	0	0	2	Sat out 2016 and 2017 due to Air Force commitment.

Peoria hitting

Pos

TCN

RBI

Notes

Josh Shaw

19th rounder last June from St. John’s plated 30 in 46 GCL games.

Friday’s games: The first games against external competition will be held against the Nationals on Saturday. Memphis and Springfield will ride the bus to West Palm Beach while Palm Beach and Peoria remain home. Games are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. ET, but always watch the weather.

Check back here each evening for these reports for the remainder of minor league camp! While you are here, check out the other articles here at The Cardinal Nation. You will be glad you did!

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