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.
Following are the highlights from the Cardinals minor league games held on Monday against the Nationals. Memphis and Springfield joined St. Louis on the road at West Palm Beach with Palm Beach and Peoria welcoming the Astros to the Jupiter complex.
For the fourth straight day, the Cardinals managed only one win as the clubs went a collective 1-3. The only team name with a winning spring record, Springfield, picked up the lone Monday victory. Overall, the system is 15-24-4 in 2017, including 11-20-2 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 16 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.
Monday’s Pitcher of the Day: Jacob Evans, Springfield
The 23-year-old lefty made 16 starts for high-A Palm Beach last season, posting a 3.73 ERA. However, Evans struck out just 48 against 17 walks in 89 1/3 Florida State League innings. He typically works in the upper 80’s with a curve in the mid-to-upper 70s.
As the starting pitching pyramid narrows, Evans needs outings like these to continue to compete for a rotation spot as he looks to advance to Double-A. On Monday, the former Oklahoma standout twirled 3 1/3 strong frames on just five hits.
Monday’s Hitter of the Day: Casey Grayson, Springfield
The centerpiece of an otherwise-anemic Palm Beach offense last season, the on-base specialist is hoping to lock down the first base job in Double-A to open 2017. I like his chances.
On Monday, Grayson singled three times in four at-bats and plated a run.
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 Friday with Springfield Saturday, Palm Beach on Sunday and Peoria closed the series on Monday.
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.
Syracuse 3, Memphis (4-5) 1
| Memphis pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Luke Weaver | #2 | 2.2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | One of better outings of spring for StL #6(?) starter |
| Memphis hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Luke Voit | 1B | #46 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Ready for AAA after #2 in system in hits, RBI in 2016 |
Springfield (4-3-2) 2 at Harrisburg
| Springfield pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Jacob Evans | 3.1 | 5 | 2 | In 2015, had 0.97 ERA and 6.0 K/BB ratio due to low BB |
| Springfield hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Casey Grayson | 1B | 4 | 3 | 1 | FSL all-star tied for 2nd in all MiLB (30 orgs) with 94 BB |
Potomac 8 at Palm Beach (3-6) 4
| Palm Beach pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| No highlights |
| Palm Beach hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Chris Chinea | 1B | #50 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | C and 1B with decent bat. #5 in syst w/63 RBI in 2016 | |||||
| Matt Davis | 3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | July FA signee batted .179 for Peoria last season |
Hagerstown 5 at Peoria (2-7) 2
| Peoria pitching | TCN | IP | H | ER | BB | K | Notes |
| Steven Farinaro | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Won 9 games for State College-competing for Peoria spot |
| Peoria hitting | Pos | TCN | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | Notes |
| Andy Young | 2B | 4 | 2 | 37th rdr last June promoted from GCL to State College |
Tuesday’s games: Memphis and Springfield are on the road again, heading up to take on the Mets at Port St. Lucie. Palm Beach and Peoria will face their Mets counterparts on the Cardinals side of the Jupiter complex, with all games scheduled at 1:00 p.m.