- This topic has 104 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 10 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
The Glendale Desert Dogs were a victim of rain, with their Sunday game suspended in the first inning. #stlcards 2B Thomas Saggese struck out before play was stopped. We recap all eight Cardinals’ AFL results through Week 4. https://t.co/ZJvd2TWAlb pic.twitter.com/t3shWHrBWA
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) November 4, 2024
Glendale lost a wild 13-11 Arizona Fall League game at Salt River on Monday. Four #stlcards played. Thomas Saggese doubled and walked, Nathan Church singled and scored and Ixan Henderson and Alex Cornwell pitched in relief. Manager Ben Johnson was ejected. https://t.co/8Txf2XoJTP pic.twitter.com/Xllxvnocny
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) November 5, 2024
In Tuesday #stlcards Arizona Fall League action, Glendale split a seven-inning twin-bill with Scottsdale. Thomas Saggese went 2-for-6 including a double, plus a walk and a run scored. Leonardo Bernal and Nathan Church also appeared. https://t.co/3TY61Prh7Q pic.twitter.com/eIML6OOFe7
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) November 6, 2024
In the AFL, Glendale was shut out by Surprise on Wednesday. Two #STLCards pitched in relief. Matt Svanson (p) threw two scoreless innings on two hits, no walks and three strikeouts. Brycen Mautz was charged with no runs but three inherited runners scored. https://t.co/QyFpfIyr6g pic.twitter.com/M0SSSXqznb
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) November 7, 2024
For those overly excited about future implications of Saggese’s AFL results, the pitching is really subpar.
For those asking, a reason why I'm hesitant to put a great deal of stock into the offensive production here in Arizona is the collective ERA's of all Fall League teams this season.
The lowest of the six teams is 5.14 and the highest is 7.79. So, while the production of multiple…
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) November 7, 2024
Thanks for sharing this tweet Brian. This is exactly what I was stating in my top 50 vote in the other thread. Teams typically don’t seem to send their good pitching prospects to the AFL unless they missed a good amount of time in the year.
While I am not blown away by Saggese’s numbers in the AFL, he still has the fourth highest OPS right now.
That said, I would have him start next season in Memphis, along with Scott & Walker. Make them hit their way onto the major league roster.
I am in between. I think Saggese could earn his way onto the Opening Day team depending on other roster changes and how he plays in spring camp. On the other hand, I highly doubt he will be a starter day 1. And certainly not due to his AFL results.
Saggese could be useful on a ML roster, but seems to lack a standout arm, a good batting eye and over the wall power. That is kind of limiting.
IF Saggesse blows up spring training and IF they trade Arenado, I see Saggesse making the team to start the season. It’s hard to really form any kind of clear thoughts past that with all the uncertainty and games being played.
In the AFL, Glendale cruised to an 8-1 win over first-place Surprise on Thursday. #STLCards catcher Leonardo Bernal reached base four times and plated two. Nathan Church and Thomas Saggese were on base twice each. https://t.co/iRaarrO1yV pic.twitter.com/bLDv5bl2G9
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) November 8, 2024
Since 2025 is a reset year and Mo has stated they want to give ample opportunities to younger players I would be very surprised if Saggese and Walker are not on the STL opening day roster.
The way the Cardinals are “developing” Jordan Walker on the MLB roster assures us he will be a free agent by the time he ever develops.
Earlier this week, before he was named to Saturday's Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game, I had a long chat with #stlcards 2B Thomas Saggese about his game offensively and defensively. ($) https://t.co/w6XP6JRapU pic.twitter.com/9q0pBgNJQo
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) November 8, 2024
In Saturday’s Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game, #stlcards 2B Thomas Saggese drew two walks, stole a base and scored as the NL lost to the AL, 6-5. https://t.co/CNxZFvI95M pic.twitter.com/FnCNdbNJpP
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) November 10, 2024
gscottar said: I would be very surprised if Saggese and Walker are not on the STL opening day roster.
What about Gorman?
What about Gorman?
Depends on if they trade Arenado and if they have a real competition. Same with Saggesse. If the centerfielders don’t show much and Saggesse and Gorman do, it could be an outfield of Walker Noot and Donovan with Gorman at third and Saggesse at second. What do you do if Walker stinks it up? You are back to last years lousy outfield.
What about Gorman?
If they trade Arenado I think Gorman will be at 3B. If Arenado stays then I think Gorman could be traded.
Donovan needs to be at 2B everyday and the DH spot is going to be crowded with Contreras and Burly.
Depends on if they trade Arenado and if they have a real competition. Same with Saggesse. If the centerfielders don’t show much and Saggesse and Gorman do, it could be an outfield of Walker Noot and Donovan with Gorman at third and Saggesse at second. What do you do if Walker stinks it up? You are back to last years lousy outfield.
In a normal year guys would be benched or shipped to Memphis if they struggle to perform. I don’t get the feeling that 2025 is going to be that way. I think the young guys are going to be allowed to struggle and dig themselves out of slumps because the W-L record is not going to be the highest priority. This is going to be a huge mental adjustment for fans because it is not something we have seen in over 30 years.
young guys are going to be allowed to struggle and dig themselves out of slumps
There is a difference between being in a slump and being overmatched.
I don’t know if you can have two dismal seasons in three years and expect to keep the dwindling fan base.
The Cardinals finished 7th in 2024 in terms of tickets sold, though their actual attendance was probably closer to 25th.
Another season like 2023 may put them into the Kansas City/Pittsburgh range of tickets sold going into 2026.
There is a difference between being in a slump and being overmatched.
Whatever you want to call it. The young guys aren’t going to be declared overmatched early in the season this time. They are going to be allowed to stay up awhile.
I don’t know if you can have two dismal seasons in three years and expect to keep the dwindling fan base.
The Cardinals finished 7th in 2024 in terms of tickets sold, though their actual attendance was probably closer to 25th.
Another season like 2023 may put them into the Kansas City/Pittsburgh range of tickets sold going into 2026.
Temporarily maybe but not in the long run. Fans are fickle. Whenever the Cardinals start winning again (2026 or 2027) the fans will flock back to Busch.
In Monday AFL action, Glendale defeated Mesa. Starter Ixan Henderson (p) fanned four and allowed one run in three innings. Matt Svanson added two scoreless relief frames. TCN's Ben Kinealy recaps all eight #STLCards' AFL results through Week 5. https://t.co/ploSZ9aYU5 pic.twitter.com/OvJAOTuNss
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) November 12, 2024
Temporarily maybe but not in the long run. Fans are fickle. Whenever the Cardinals start winning again (2026 or 2027) the fans will flock back to Busch.
If you look at teams that like Kansas City, the Cubs and Houston, there was typically a 2-4 year lag between when they started winning and the fans started returning. It was the third or fourth year of improvement in the win column before fans started coming back, and the return is much more gradual than the decline.
So, if the Cardinals start winning in 2026, the earliest they can expect fans to start coming back is 2028, and could be as long as 2030…
The fans have to buy in to the idea that the team is worth watching again.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.