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Memphis (2): Graceffo/Robberse
Springfield: Roby
Peoria: Hjerpe
Palm Beach: Salas
FCL: YnfanteFull details here:
Hjerpe was held to 60 pitches (59), but looked good today. Looks like he’s getting the Hence treatment.
4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
Hjerpe’s BB% has been surprisingly bad (esp given his relatively good control in college). But through all the BBs and HRs he’s surrendered, he’s still consistently missed a lot of bats. In other words, there’s still reason for some optimism.
It was good to see Hjerpe only walk 2. Still a 4.5 BB/9 rate, but a little improvement that can hopefully improve.
I notice Jonathan Meija didn’t play today after leaving the game after 1 AB Saturday and the team having off days Sunday and Monday. Hopefully if he is hurt it isn’t serious. I also see Packy Naughton pitched for the FCL team so maybe he is on the road back.
Also very glad to see Quinn Matthews promoted to Peoria as he needs more of a challenge. I see Panigua pitched relief, but 4 IP so I am curious if they plan on piggy backing him to keep his innings up for development.
It was good to see Hjerpe only walk 2. Still a 4.5 BB/9 rate, but a little improvement that can hopefully improve.
The best thing that could happen to Hjerpe is if he could somehow follow Jordan Hicks out the door. Get somewhere where they would have him dial it back a couple ticks and use his repertoire, better control and actual pitching skill, at the expense of fewer Ks, to get batters out and be successful. All while putting less stress on his arm. Cardinals pitcher development seems to consist of ‘adding a few ticks’, which works great for throwing it past minor league hitters.
Behind strong pitching, the #stlcards system was 4-2 on Tuesday. TCN’s Player of the Day, Palm Beach’s Gerardo Salas, threw 6 2/3 scoreless IP with 8 Ks. Other standouts: Gordon Graceffo, Sem Robberse, Cooper Hjerpe, Inohan Paniagua, Miguel Villarroel and Luis Rodriguez.… pic.twitter.com/fyGt3Ui1Qx
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) May 15, 2024
The best thing that could happen to Hjerpe is if he could somehow follow Jordan Hicks out the door. Get somewhere where they would have him dial it back a couple ticks
Being a little bit picky, but everything I’ve read about Hjerpe already has him being a slow throwerat around 89 MPH on his fastball. It is a little concerning his control has dropped off so much as out of college he was projected by the industry to be average to above average efor future control. Hjerpe is a really funky side armer which may be why he is suddenly having more control problems. But that funk is why in college hitters and the minors so far have struggled to hit off him.
The #stlcards system was 2-2 on Wednesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Memphis LF Matt Koperniak, was 3-for-5 with four RBI. Other standouts include José Fermín, César Prieto, Pete Hansen, Darlin Saladin and Chase Adkison. (free) https://t.co/T8f7yUxDq3 pic.twitter.com/VsrmE0E3dn
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) May 16, 2024
Albert, my opinion is Hjerpe developed elbow trouble soon after arriving, and continues trying to pitch with it. As we know, he had surgery to remove ‘loose bodies’ from the elbow. ‘Loose bodies in the elbow usually means bone spurs that have detached. Bone spurs do not spontaneously appear. They form as a defense mechanism when the area is being subjected to stresses it cannot tolerate. So now that the loose bodies have been removed, he is either once again
subjecting the elbow to stresses it cannot tolerate, or he is trying to figure out a way to pitch effectively which his elbow can tolerate. It is the same as with guys who have hurt their shoulder, like Hudson, Graceffo and Roby. They can either go back to what their shoulder does not tolerate or they have to figure out a different way to pitch successfully.It was not bone spurs. Hjerpe told me last summer that pieces of cartilage were removed. At that time and later at the AFL, he said there was no discomfort.
I cannot speak for today but it appears the Cardinals are being cautious with his workload. They also did that with Hence for several years and he had no reported injuries at all. So, I would not draw any conclusions from this.
Worth noting Hjerpe is only 1.4 years older than Hence, though it does seem a little bit unusual for a 3-year Division I pitcher to be handled with similar kid gloves as a high school pitcher. Would not be surprised if his arm issues of last year play into the workload near term. I saw him pitch a lot in college, he looks like the same guy other than the sudden control issues. The slider is still sharp, FB sits 88-91, still missing a lot of bats. But in order to consistently get RHH out, his CH away and slider down-and-in have to be on point, and his command of all 3 pitches will have to improve from where it is currently. I’m still optimistic, his peripherals remain pretty encouraging. The walks are bad, but the horrible HR/FB ratio from last year always seemed to me like a fluke.
Meija was back in the lineup today for FCAR which was good to see. 2 for 3 again today and he is slashing .320/.433/.600 albeit a small sample size of 25 ABs. If he keeps playing well, I doubt it takes long for them to send him back to Palm Beach.
Rajcic got beat up again tonight. While he wasn’t good (lots of wasted poor pitches), his defense definitely didn’t help much. Several poor outfield plays.
The #stlcards went 2-3 as The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Springfield SS Jeremy Rivas, had three hits including a HR and three RBI. Other Thursday standouts: Michael McGreevy, Thomas Saggese, Mike Antico, Hancel Rincon, Jason Savacool and Yadiel Batista.… pic.twitter.com/3XBehhrYEa
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) May 17, 2024
Toilet paper giveaway promotion in Memphis tonight (5/17/24).
Can’t make this stuff up, lol
Game Highlight: Toilet Paper Giveaway
The first 4,000 fans will receive FREE two 6-pack MEGA rolls of White Cloud 3-ply toilet paper. | Presented By KTG-USASo fans then have to try and navigate the stadium and watch the game while managing two giant packages of TP? Seems awkward/inconvenient.
I was also at the game where Jack Clark hit the three run homer over Pedro’s head to clinch the division that year.
Fans received a voucher coming in and could pick up the TP on their way out. Any emergencies during the game had to be handled in the normal manner… 😉
For the game, Memphis wiped Gwinnett, 10-3.
The #stlcards system was 1-4 on Friday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Springfield’s Ian Bedell, pitched seven one-run innings with six strikeouts. Other standouts include César Prieto, José Fermín, Jordan Walker, Matt Koperniak and Victor Scott. https://t.co/6H2RZZRAZX pic.twitter.com/vjNM74flIz
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) May 18, 2024
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