photo: Carson Kelly (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Our 10th year of providing results and much more from St. Louis Cardinals minor league spring training games continues 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 minor league action held on Tuesday. A day after the Cardinals had a camp day, which was turned into a full day off, play resumed with the Mets as the opponents. Memphis and Springfield traveled to Port St. Lucie while Palm Beach and Peoria remained home at the George Kissell Quad in Jupiter.
The Cardinals’ upper-level clubs held the upper hand with both road warriors claiming wins. Palm Beach drew a tie and Peoria was defeated. Unfortunately, no Palm Beach highlights were included.
Overall on the spring, the Cardinals are a collective 8-7-5, including a 7-6-3 mark versus external competition.
Once again, Cardinals Baseball Operations Coordinator for Player Development 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 15 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.
Tuesday’s Hitter of the Day: Carson Kelly, Memphis
The Cardinals’ #3-ranked prospect according to The Cardinal Nation had a rough big-league camp with the bat, with just three hits in 30 at-bats and several passed balls that did not escape the attention of manager Mike Matheny.
On Tuesday, not only did Kelly log a double, he also singled and plated two, equaling his St. Louis RBI total in his first minor league game of the spring.
Honorable mention goes to his Memphis teammate, outfielder Victor Roache, with a double and triple in two at-bats. Still, a Double-A assignment would seem to be his most optimistic, yet reasonable assignment coming out of camp.
Tuesday’s Pitcher of the Day: Winston Nicacio, Peoria
In his first US season, the 21-year old posted a very strong 2.81 ERA last summer, primarily in the Gulf Coast League. In 57 2/3 innings, the Dominican native had a so-so-so 45 strikeouts and 20 walks, however.
It would seem a stretch to jump straight to Peoria, but in reality, the competition is not that steep.
Honorable mention goes to Connor Jones, whose numbers suggest he is ready to open the season in the Springfield rotation.
Note: On the main Roger Dean Stadium field before St. Louis’ game, the 2017 Palm Beach Cardinals, managed by Dann Bilardello, received their Florida State League championship rings.
If you ask us, @FloridaStateLg Champions has a nice 💍to it. pic.twitter.com/b6ZEeeWCcT
— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) March 21, 2018
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 (2-2-1) 6 at Las Vegas 1
| Memphis pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Adam Wainwright | 6 | 2 | 0 | 11 | Threw 85-90 pitches, with all info from the Post-Dispatch. | ||
| Nestor Molina | 1 | 2 | Experienced SP from Mexican League may be in AAA pen. |
| Memphis hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Carson Kelly | C | #3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Just down from MLB camp, caught Wainwright. | ||||||
| Victor Roache | LF | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Ex-Brewers 1st rounder acquired from indy league club. |
Springfield (3-1-1) 4 at Binghamton 2
| Springfield pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Connor Jones | #23 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 9 wins at PB/Spr in 2017 ranked in top 10 in system. |
| Springfield hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| J.B. Woodman | DH | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | High-A OF acquired from TOR on 12/1 for Aledmys Diaz. | |||||
| Shane Billings | LF | 2 | 2 | Ranked #10 in system in 2017 with 115 hits (PB/Peo). |
Palm Beach (1-2-2) 1 vs. St. Lucie 1
No stats provided.
Columbia 5 at Peoria (2-2-1) 4
| Peoria pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Winston Nicacio | 3 | 2 | #7 in system with 2.81 ERA in 2017 (GCL/PB). |
| Peoria hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Andres Luna | CF | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | In GCL, slashed .288/.364/.407/.771, but was 4th pro year. |
Wednesday’s games: The Astros are the Wednesday opponent, 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. Our limited edition printed and bound Guide is now 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.