photo: Jhon Torres (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Following are the highlights from the St. Louis Cardinals Friday minor league action, originally to be split between the George Kissell Quad in Jupiter, Florida and the Washington Nationals’ fields in West Palm Beach. The Cardinals’ upper two squads were to remain home and the two Class-A teams were to travel.
However, heavy rains in the area left the minor league fields in West Palm flooded, so all four contests on were held at home for the second straight day, instead.
With the exception of Palm Beach, the St. Louis’ squads had good pitching but the four teams in total scored just 10 runs. That led to an aggregate 1–2 on the day. Palm Beach took the loss and logged the win. The two upper level clubs tied.
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 10 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 – Bryan Dobzanski, Springfield
With eight saves last season, in the top 10 in the system, along with better than one strikeout per inning, Dobzanski has been an effective reliever. He went two innings on Friday, fanning four and allowing just one baserunner.
Back in 2014, the 23-year old was incented to skip college by an offer of $700,000 despite being taken in the 26th round. A raw talent, Dobzanski was a starter his first three-plus seasons before moving the Peoria bullpen in 2017. After that change, he logged a 2.10 ERA, then a 2.41 last season between the Chiefs and Palm Beach.
Honorable mention goes to Memphis’ Anthony Shew, who walked two and struck out three in three innings.
Friday’s Hitter of the Day – Jhon Torres, Palm Beach
The outfielder singled and hit a solo home run in four Friday at-bats as the designated hitter for the high-A Cardinals.
Torres joined the Cardinals from Cleveland along with Conner Capel in the Oscar Mercado trade last July and immediately starred in the Gulf Coast League. Though it was in just 17 games, Torres placed in the top five in the system in batting average, slugging and OPS and ninth in on-base percentage.
With he make the jump straight to Peoria for his age 19 season?
Honorable mention is given to Raffy Ozuna, playing up with Memphis after competing last season in the GCL. Signed as a shortstop, Ozuna has grown and is now a decent-sized third baseman.
Get the entire picture! The Cardinal Nation members can check out the full list of minor league spring training attendees by working roster assignment 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 (2-3-1) 1, Fresno 1
| Memphis pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Mike Hauschild | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 29 y/o RHP is with his fourth MLB org. (Hou, Tex, Tor). | |
| Anthony Shew | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | Led Cards system with 156 2/3 innings pitched in 2018. |
| Memphis hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Elehuris Montero | 3B | #10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Midwest League MVP also no. 1 in BA (.322), SLG (.529). | ||||
| Conner Capel | LF | #31 | 3 | 2 | LHH was high-A Carolina Lg. All-Star before Mercado trade. |
Springfield (3-2-1) 1, Harrisburg 1
| Springfield pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Bryan Dobzanski | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2018 Midwest League All-Star, then 1.13 ERA at PB. |
| Springfield hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Stefan Trosclair | 2B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Ranked in top 10 in system with 62 runs scored in 2018. | ||||||
| Chase Pinder | LF | #49 | 4 | 2 | Tied for 7th in org. with 48 walks taken last season |
Potomac 7 at Palm Beach (2-3-1) 2
| Palm Beach pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| none |
| Palm Beach hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Jhon Torres | DH | #20 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Shot onto prospect radar after late July trade from TB (Pham). | ||||
| Andrew Warner | RF | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2018 Gulf Coast League Most Valuable Player. |
Peoria (4-2) 4, Hagerstown 2
| Peoria pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Freddy Pacheco | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 14.7 K/9 IP last season was no. 1 in the Cards system. | |
| Chris Hunt | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 39th rounder in 2017 has 3.52 career ERA, mostly in relief. |
| Peoria hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Diomedes Del Rio | LF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Led system in 2018 with 13 triples between DSLB/GCL. | |||||||
| Joe Gomez | C | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | In 2 pro years, batted .197 but threw out 33% baserunners. | ||||||
| Imeldo Diaz | 3B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 21 y/o now in 5th year, batted .174 with SC in 2018. |
Tomorrow’s games: Saturday’s minor league games are scheduled to be held on the Marlins’ side of the Jupiter complex. 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!
Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation
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. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, out limited edition printed and bound Guides are going fast, so get yours today!
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.
© 2019 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.