photo: Skylar Hales (Instagram)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired minor league pitchers Skylar Hales, Mason Molina and International Bonus Pool Space from the Texas Rangers in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Phil Maton.
We have acquired RHP Skylar Hales, LHP Mason Molina, and international signing bonus pool space from the Texas Rangers in exchange for RHP Phil Maton. pic.twitter.com/fUYUzvWQ7u
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 31, 2025
Molina, 22, is a left-handed pitcher originally drafted in the 7th round (215th overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers out of the University of Arkansas after transferring from Texas Tech University following his sophomore season.
The southpaw was acquired by the Rangers from the Brewers in January for RHP Grant Anderson. He has appeared in 20 games making 19 starts over the past two seasons topping out at High-A Hub City. Prior to his promotion, he led Hickory (A) with 62 strikeouts and ranked 3rd in the Carolina League.
Molina joins the Cardinals organization with 3-5 record and 3.19 ERA with 98 strikeouts over 79.0 innings pitched averaging 11.2 strikeouts/9 IP. He was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week in April following a 6.0-inning perfect start with five strikeouts at Charleston on April 18.
The Irvine, Calif., native played high school ball at Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo, the same school that produced former Cardinals infielder Nick Punto as well as Joshua Fuentes, the cousin of Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.
Hales, 23, is a right-handed pitcher drafted by the Rangers in the 4th round (108th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Santa Clara University.
Over three professional seasons, Hales has compiled a 5-6 record with a 4.75 ERA over 85 relief appearances including 15 saves in 21 opportunities. He has a 1.16 WHIP and averages 10.5 strikeouts/9 IP over 100.1 innings pitched. The Reno, Nev., native ascended the Rangers’ minor league ladder to Triple-A Round Rock and has made seven appearances there since his promotion at the beginning of July.
Maton, 32, a nine-year Major League veteran, was 1-3 with a 2.35 ERA in 40 appearances with St. Louis this season.
TCN notes
Hales will join Triple-A Memphis, with Molina slated for High-A Peoria.
The Cardinals now have four openings on the 40-man roster and three openings on the 26-man active roster. Expect three bullpen arms to join the club in San Diego.
The international cap space is an important change, as the Cardinals lost $500,000 (almost 10% of their budget) in the category in both 2024 and 2025. It was part of the penalty for signing free agents Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray.
What others say
Mason Molina is an interesting get (Maton return). Has a career 30.6% K% in 20 MiLB games.
Throws a true 4S with a ton of vert, pure gyro on the slower end, changeup with good separation, and a big curve pic.twitter.com/1mK88cYNA5
— Jacob (@JacobE_STL) July 31, 2025
Hales is a hard-throwing, low-slot right-handed reliever. His fastball sits around 95 MPH but has touched triple digits. His slider has a decent shape at 86 MPH. Adds some upper-level RP depth. https://t.co/b0eeZpwjUH pic.twitter.com/35tjom04sO
— Kareem (@KareemSSN) July 31, 2025
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