Welcome back to our ninth year of providing results and much more from St. Louis Cardinals minor league spring training games here at The Cardinal Nation Blog. This year, I am joined in these recaps by TCN writer Derek Shore.
After Thursday’s rainout, following are the highlights from the Cardinals minor league games held on Friday against the Marlins, with all five games scheduled on the Miami side of the Jupiter complex.
Springfield managed the only win as the Cardinals’ clubs went a collective 1-4. Overall, the system is 12-17-1 this spring, including 9-14-1 versus outside competition.
Once again this spring, Cardinals Baseball Operations Coordinator for Player Development Tony Ferreira shares 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 20 players have yet to be cut from Major League camp.
When players are members of The Cardinal Nation Top 50 Prospect List for 2017, their rankings are noted.
Friday’s Pitcher of the Day: Jordan Hicks, Peoria1
The right-hander, who I reported threw multiple offerings of 101 mph last time out, is drawing national attention. According to ESPN’s Keith Law, who was on the back fields today, Hicks was working in the 94-97 range, “with so much fastball life my pen exploded”. That sums it up pretty well. Hoping Law got cleaned up ok.
Friday’s Hitter of the Day: Edmundo Sosa, Palm Beach
The Cardinal Nation’s 14th-ranked prospect is the only offensive performer reported with three hits on the day. Sosa, who was added to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, had only nine at-bats with Palm Beach last summer before suffering a season-ending injury. The shortstop could open 2017 back in the Florida State League.
For more, The Cardinal Nation members can check out the complete list of recently-updated minor league spring training attendees and full minor league spring training game schedules.
Also exclusively for TCN members is my annual pre-camp series in which I predict the opening rosters for all four full-season minor league affiliates and explain why. The St. Louis roster prediction article is free for all readers. Memphis was posted today with Springfield coming on Saturday morning.
If you are not yet a member of The Cardinal Nation, seven-day free trials are always available.
The entire system view by level and position as last season ended is available via the Roster Matrix, always free, right here at The Cardinal Nation Blog.
New Orleans 3, Memphis (4-3) 1
| Memphis pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Daniel Poncedeleon | #36 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | Showed well in StL camp with 6 2/3 scoreless IP |
| Memphis hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Bruce Caldwell | 3B | 2 | 1 | 2 | Can play all over the diamond and hits well, too | ||||||||
| Todd Cunningham | LF | 3 | 2 | 1 | 130 career MLB PAs, but hit just .182 in StL camp |
Springfield (3-3-1) 4, Jacksonville
| Springfield pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Zac Gallen | #31 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3rd-rounder from June should start for at least Peo |
| Springfield hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Mason Katz | 3B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Able to play 1B, 2B, 3B and even C in a pinch | ||||||
| Thomas Spitz | LF | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Has been one of most consistent hitters in camp |
Jupiter 5, Palm Beach (3-4) 3
| Palm Beach pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Junior Fernandez | #11 | 3.1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | May have to return to PB for awhile, but not too long |
| Palm Beach hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Edmundo Sosa | SS | #14 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 40-man SS may not move fast as Sierra, Alvarez | ||||||
| Nick Plummer | OF | #21 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Needs to make up ground for 2016 lost to injury |
Greensboro 1, Peoria1 (2-5) 0
| Peoria1 pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Jordan Hicks | #25 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | Looks very ready to jump from NYPL to MWL |
| Peoria1 hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| No highlights | Hopefully, they weren’t no-hit |
GCL Marlins 10, Peoria2 (0-2) 5
| Peoria2 pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Anthony Ciavarella | 1.2 | 3 | Lefty posted nice 2.09 ERA starting/relieving in GCL |
| Peoria2 hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | Notes | |
| Jonatan Machado | CF | #27 | 3 | 1 | 2 | Cuban signed for $2.35 MM at age 17 in July |
Saturday’s games: The Marlins are once again the Saturday opponent, with all five games scheduled on the Cardinals side of the Jupiter complex.