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Will they need an emergency catcher when they already carry three (or four depending on what you call Herrera) on the roster? 😉
Another really fun episode ready for your listening enjoyment.
EVERYBODY has something to say about the trade of Brendan Donovan and the #stlcards take in prospects and draft picks, but NOBODY says it like @kyler416! We cover this and all the week's news on the Wednesday With Walton and Reis podcast. https://t.co/PLs18mmI5v pic.twitter.com/sSJXXTHXhu
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) February 4, 2026
Listening to Winter Warm up put me behind, but I just want to tell you and Kyle how much I enjoy your podcast. It is one of my greatest joys.
I really enjoy the WWW and Reis, also. I enjoy Kyle’s enthusiasm and his acumen for analyzing pitches and pitch movement. This guy seems to have supervision not at all unlike Clark Kent, I’m sure. However, three weeks ago Kyle got the day off and Moises Rodrigues talked it over with BW. I like getting a glimpse into the human element of the game and I sensed Rodrigues’s joy over his recent success. He had been with the Cardinals for over twenty years, and now, the guy that hired him, John Mozeliak, was retiring. Imagine the worry and the consternation he must have felt for those two whole years. But when Bloom informed Rodrigues that he was keeping him on, think of how it must have felt. Then, on top of it, Rodrigues signed his top two international recruits, Emanuel Luna and Carlos Carion. Who knows if either of them will make it to the big time, but Rodrigues sure sounded good about the signings. And he still has another 3M$ of so to spend before the signing season ends. Moises Rodgigues sounded like he was clearly on a role. Raniel Rodrigues’ name came up. He was originally scouted for his offense primarily and possibly as a first baseman. Now they’re trying to make
him into a catcher. All we can do is wait and see how this turns out. The Cardinals’ website had him listed as ‘a stout 5’10″‘. It will be interested to see how this plays out eventually. Moises Rodriguez also mentioned Brannelli Franco as one to watch this year. His control and his velo spiked up this year to 96-98 MPH. It sounds like he’s definitely one to keep and eye on especially since he just turned 19 years old a couple of weeks ago.I really enjoy listening to the Podcast each Weds when it comes out. I listen to it at least twice each week. The second time through I aways catch a point or two I didn’t catch the first time. You guys have balanced the right mix of analytics into the podcast. I have been a member of TCN for quite a few years now. By reading the content and listening to the podcast, It seems like I end up having prospects I root for more than others based on various reasons. I also see that most of the prospects don’t make it to the show. This adds to the interest in following prospects. Also adds a little worry as to how many the cardinals obtained this offseason will actually help the major league club at some time.
I bought the prospect guide for the first time this year. OMG, after reading through it I can”t believe I did not buy it in previous years. It is loaded with information on current prospects and history of prospect movement. Good job with that publication. I have it on computer and iPhone. Will use the iPhone version when I attend games is Peoria this summer.
Brian, will you and Kyle address what in the world the Cardinals were thinking with the trade of Granillo today? On the surface it makes no sense!
Yes, but I had already left the park when it was announced, so I don’t have any direct feedback yet. Early this afternoon, I saw Andre working out with the other pitchers, so it had to be a surprise to him.
This week, @kyler416 and I start with Tuesday’s all-reliever trade of Andre Granillo for George Soriano. Next up is very early spring training camp news, the #STLCards no. 2 farm system ranking by Baseball America, the acquisitions of Justin Militello and Bryan Ramos and more!… pic.twitter.com/DpQSyc2xnV
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) February 11, 2026
This week, @kyler416 and I provide injury updates on Clarke, Henderson, Hansen and Hjerpe and surprises in camp Shelagowski, Odle, Rujano and Sequera. We discuss #stlcards 40-man roster changes, the catching situation at the majors and upper minors, TCN’s 2026 Prospect Guide… pic.twitter.com/HaNjxukLYA
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) February 18, 2026
I had not heard about Herrera’s insurance not letting him play in the WBC. Honestly glad to hear it though as Herrera focusing more on his role with the Cardinals should help him and the team more going forward. I would like him to be at C, but if not LF would be nice. Just try to find somewhere other than DH.
Agreed with Brian there isn’t a better choice for 3B than Gorman. The roster has a dearth of 3B options as Gorman is the best and then no one after that. No viable choices even close either in the upper minors either that could take the role. Gorman likely gets a long reign in my opinion unless Ramos sticks with the team.
The team has some major dice rolled on 3B with Gorman and RF with Walker. There just aren’t any good options even after those guys. Maybe by late in the year Baez is ready but I do not want them rushing him. I saw some headline from some random site saying Baez with Noot out should be an option and I very much disagree with that.
I had not heard about Herrera’s insurance not letting him play in the WBC. Honestly glad to hear it though as Herrera focusing more on his role with the Cardinals should help him and the team more going forward. I would like him to be at C, but if not LF would be nice. Just try to find somewhere other than DH.
I view this differently. I am concerned that C and LF could impact Herrera’s offense which is the last thing we need to do. He is our biggest offensive weapon and I would hate to mess that up. I see his long term future at DH or 1B.
It isn’t just getting hurt or the wear and tear. When a player is worried about learning a new position it can become a distraction. We need him to be focused on raking.
Herrera took some fly balls the other day and it was widely misinterpreted. The other catchers were doing long throwing drills that Herrera has not yet been cleared for. He went out into the OF just to keep busy. He doesn’t even own an outfielder’s glove. Reality seems different than hopes.
What the team has actually said is Saggese and Fermin are possibilities. Then, there is that RHH OF not yet in the bargain bin…
I want him at DH for 162 games. He doesn’t need anything distracting him from putting up a .900 OPS, which is what we need from him.
Don’t players often say they feel they perform worse offensively when DH’ing only because they have more time to think and often don’t feel like they get to stay loose in the dug out? I know Herrera himself said that he doesn’t like DH only because of sitting still so long.
With spring training going strong, @C70 talks about the major focus this year–the minor leagues–with reporter and guru @B_Walton. What names are intriguing, how things are changing, and why you should buy the Prospect Guide. https://t.co/T3h5RSKRK6
— Meet Me At Musial (@MeetMeAtMusial) February 20, 2026
he one thing that bothers me about Tread Athletics is that they had Andre Pallente throwing his ‘death ball’ during his offseason a year, or so, ago. Sounded daunting. But nothing ever came of it. Hope the same this doesn’t happen to Knowles. I may have this wrong. But it seems as if the Cardinals’ signed up their own version of Tread Athletics over this past offseason. It looks like there is a trainer, a coach, conditioning guru, or some other ‘bird dog’ shadowing every player in camp. What kind of results is this going to bring?
Please comment on the next WWW Walton and Reis.
I’d sure like to hear Brian and Kyle talk about this next week.
Just noticed that there is no live action photo of Bryan Torres rightfully claiming the roster spot previously belonging to Brendon Donovan. Torres will surely be featured in next week’s
WWW Walton and Reis Episode.
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