Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/15/18

photo: Connor Jones (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Welcome back to our 10th 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 the Cardinals first minor league action of 2018, held on Thursday on the George Kissell Quad in Jupiter, Florida. The Cardinals had a camp day, with Memphis taking on Springfield and Palm Beach and Peoria facing off.

In a day when pitching dominated, the Cardinals’ lower-level clubs in each contest held their own with Springfield holding Memphis to a 1-1 tie and Peoria taking a 5-1 victory over Palm Beach.

Once again this spring, Cardinals Baseball Operations Coordinator for Player Development Tony Ferreira will be 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 21 players have yet to be cut from Major League camp.

When players are members of The Cardinal Nation Top 50 Prospect List for 2018, their rankings are noted.

Connor Jones (St. Louis Cardinals)

Thursday’s Pitcher of the Day: Connor Jones, Memphis

The possessor of a heavy sinking fastball had a solid year in his first full professional season in 2017, throwing 120 innings, primarily at Palm Beach. Jones was given a lone start at Springfield to prepare him for his likely rotation assignment to open 2018.

Honorable mentions go to the other three starters, who are all top 30 prospects in the system and could easily have taken these honors – Jake Woodford, Junior Fernandez and Sam Tewes.

Donivan Williams (St. Louis Cardinals)

Thursday’s Hitter of the Day: Donivan Williams, Peoria

A high school draftee from the Chicago area, Williams was selected by the Cardinals in the 14th round last June, but was clearly targeted, having received a relatively-hefty sum of $300,000 to sign rather than attend college.

In the Gulf Coast League, the 18-year old played four positions but was slow to adjust with the bat, with a slash line of .204/.296/.286/.581.

Williams’ four RBI on Thursday compare to his 16 over 115 plate appearances in his 2017 debut.

For more, The Cardinal Nation members can check out the full list of minor league spring training attendees and minor league spring training game schedules.

Ahead – exclusively for TCN members – is my annual pre-Opening Day series in which I predict the opening rosters for all four full-season minor league affiliates and explain why. St. Louis was posted previously, with the others to follow. The St. Louis roster prediction article is free for all readers.

If you are not yet a member of The Cardinal Nation, join now and order our first-ever Prospect Guide at less than half price.

The entire 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 (0-0-1) 1 vs. Springfield (0-0-1) 1

Memphis pitching TCN IP H ER BB K Notes
Connor Jones #23 3 1 2 21 starts at PB in 2017 (3.77 ERA) and 1 at Springfield.
Memphis hitting Pos TCN AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR SB BB K Notes
Ramon Urias 2B 2 1 1 1 23 y/o acquired from Mexican League club in January.

Springfield (0-0-1) 1 vs. Memphis (0-0-1) 1

Springfield pitching TCN IP H ER BB K Notes
Jake Woodford #18 3 2 1 1 2017 FL State League ERA champ (3.10 ERA-21 starts)
Springfield hitting Pos TCN AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR SB BB K Notes
Vince Jackson LF 1 1 1 Batted .266 at Peo and had 19-game FSL intro in 2017.

Palm Beach (0-1) 1 vs. Peoria (1-0) 5

Palm Beach pitching TCN IP H ER BB K Notes
Junior Fernandez #17 3 2 4 Looking to regain top prospect status after 2017 injuries.
Palm Beach hitting Pos TCN AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR SB BB K Notes
Angel Moreno RF 2 1 2 1 21 y/o acquired from Tampa Bay in Rule 5 Draft.

Peoria (1-0) 5 vs. Palm Beach (0-1) 1

Peoria pitching TCN IP H ER BB K Notes
Sam Tewes #29 3 2 1 3 Ended w/6 2H starts at PB (3.35 ERA) in 1st full season.
Peoria hitting Pos TCN AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR SB BB K Notes
Brady Whalen 3B 4 1 2 1 Switch-hitter led JC in 2017 with 21 extra-base hits.
Donivan Williams DH 4 2 4 18 y/o played 2B, 3B, LF, RF in 1st season in GCL.

Friday’s games: The Astros are the Friday opponent and first external competition of the spring, with Memphis and Springfield games to be held at West Palm Beach. The Class-A games will be played at the George Kissell Quad in Jupiter, Fields 2-5.

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Cardinals Welcome 181 to 2017 Minors Camp

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 2018 Prospect Guide PDF version for less than half price. In addition, our new, limited edition printed and bound Guide is now available, but will soon be sold out.

Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.