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Wondering what the format for the 30 man roster will be? Maybe 15 pitchers, 3 catchers, 7 infielders, and 5 outfielders? Is there any news on Cabrera, Reyes, Sanchez, and Gallegos?
C27, check out the highlights above. Last thing last night, Shildt said no news on the five players out.
On the roster, what has been said is 17-13 is most likely, including three catchers. Five starting pitchers and 12 relievers. That leaves 10 position players. Even that can be murky based on how you classify guys like Ravelo and Brad Miller.
CFICT asked:
That being said, with him getting the “opening night” start against JF, could that mean the Cards might be leaning toward him getting a spot in the rotation? Or maybe I’m reading into it to much?
Yes, I think you are reading too much into it. The Cards already have six solid starters before getting to Gomber and Ponce. What Flaherty and Gomber pitching on the same night says (if anything) to me is that Gomber could be the long man Opening Day in the unlikely event Flaherty needs one.
The other way to look at it is that if the starters all pitch well, Gomber and Ponce may have real trouble getting innings.
They have to be thinking about Gomber being a starter. But there appears to be no way he could get that chance this year. Just too many other good rotation pitchers. He has to be a lock for the bullpen especially with Cabrera still off the map for now.
I’d love to see Dean get a chance at the major league level. He deserves it. MO mentioned Dean in his conversation with McLaughlin, so that tells you that they have an eye on him. If he keeps doing what he has been doing, I think they will find a way to get him some AB’s.
At least Dean is on the 40-man. Schrock is not. That matters some. But it is always good to have depth for when injuries hit.
It’s just nice to see some of these kids who have been trying for so long, and putting up good numbers along the way, to finally get a chance. Both Dean and Schrock fit that description, IMO. I think if any organization is going to find a way for these kids, it would be the Cardinals.
One of the things I noticed about the conversation between Mozeliak and McLaughlin is that McLaughlin is really enthusiastic about Sosa, but Mozeliak didn’t have much to say about him other than that MO was around when Sosa was first signed. It seems like Sosa deserves more love than what MO was willing to give him. IMO, Sosa is definitely ready for a chance to play at the major league level regardless of whether there is room for him, or not.
Dexter Fowler’s back started to spasm up five days ago. Hit and got at-bats today. No tightness. Feeling good. Should be ready for the season.
During the outage, when things opened up, he was able to take live BP with local guys in Las Vegas. Before that, he bought a wiffle ball machine used in his yard. Used his bat, tried to hit golfball-sized from 28 feet away at 100 mph. Good for timing, hand-eye coordination.
60-game season like extended playoff. Go out with guns blazing from 1st pitch on. Doesn’t have to change his approach. Adrenaline has to be at all-time high. Can do it for 60 games. Not like it is 162.
Can hear all the fielders. Like in CHI in 2015 when nobody was in back stands. He talks a lot in the box. Will probably hear him (on TV).
Regarding offense, fans don’t know guys are working on things. He was punched out 2x today, but Yadi was giving him instant feedback on being late or early. Can adapt more quickly in this camp by being able to take more at-bats in shorter time.
Sosa is more of a left side of infield guy and Max is a second baseman first but can play 3B. Max is a LH hitter which makes him more valuable to me than Sosa.
Ryan Helsley says if they want him to close, he will be ready for it. Whatever the team needs.
Started pitching in 2014 as college freshman. Always a starter. Last year was first as a reliever. Never closed. So different to him.
On guys to help him, Andrew Miller has closed a a lot. Carlos is also good to talk to and Jordan when he was there. A lot of guys ready to step up.
On offspeed, leads with slider mostly. Curve and changeup is mixed in. Hard to throw all four pitches in 15-pitch relief outing. Uses chanceup for 2nd/3rd time through a lineup to show hitters and keep them off balance.
Was trying to throw curve to see reaction. Got some swings and misses. Encouraging to build confidence in the pitch.
Feels he could go 2-3 innings now. Could build up to long relief if needed.
Mike Maddux says there are not any outside options. Feels very good about guys in camp.
Has a week left to decide on closer. Have some ideas, but need to discuss. Could be a more than 1 IP guy.
“A lot of donuts out of Dak and Ponce” in game. Run prevention is the goal.
Example of new innovation during downtime was Wainwright long toss program. Used to do it. Revisited with KK. Webb also “tried some things” and is liking them.
Helsley last year did a nice job and even better in post-season. They always remember. Sim game not same intensity. He is remembering mistakes which made several outings ugly. Viable candidate for later in game. Not withstanding rough inning today and last time out.
Did not see Johan Oviedo a lot in spring. Adonis like body. Also has the firepower. Good slider, now saw good changeup too. “The more you see him, the more you like him.” He has high ceiling and will come fast. Pounds zone. Will be viable candidate to help them.
Kodi Whitley opened eyes in spring 2019. Then excelled at three levels working 8th and 9th innings. Wish could have seen him more this spring. Love his demeanor and desire to get better. As he gathers experience, he will be more reliable. Already shown he is durable.
Carlos is an option to start, pitch multiple innings and close. Everyone is closer candidate. Still have to put heads together. Not going to beat one guy up initially, like having him pitch 3 of 4 days. See who puts up donuts (on the scoreboard). Carlos has only thrown once. Will make decisions in last week. Haven’t seen enough yet to decide.
Multiple inning options will be very important. Starters could pitch 7 innings. Will be set up for two starters each day.
Looking forward to changes – 3 batter minimum and NL DH. Wants to maneuver there and will have multiple options for each scenario. DH is more a matter of where the other team is in their lineup. NL teams not really built for DH. In interleague, AL has DH batting 3rd or 4th. but NL team has them 7, 8 or 9th.
With no crowd, fans will see how much chatter and interaction there is between players and coaches.
His pitchers have thrown a lot of pitches in the last week. Ponce threw 21 pitches for a walk and three Ks. Hitters made him work. Flaherty had a fistfight every at-bat. That grinds pitchers down.
17 pitchers seem too many on an active roster. Especially when you have some in the next 30 you can add quickly. Was hoping Sosa, Ravelo, and Carlson would have a better chance of staying on active with bigger rosters. Maybe they still will?
Also, has Kim pitched? He pitched very well in the spring.
Mike Shildt says they will keep position players until end of camp, with the exception of a catcher. But will start to see some pitchers transition to Springfield. (Note that Kaminsky and Elledge threw today.) Coaches Oquendo, Leveque and Steinhorn did a good job while there (now going to Springfield).
He did not have Rob Kaminsky when the lefty was with the Cards before. Knew he was a good worker.
Dak and Ponce’s stuff was fine. They got out of situations. Competed well with runners in scoring position.
On so many deep counts. Some guys are still working on timing (so want to see more pitches) but also a team mindset to grind out at bats. For hitters, process does not always work, but every guy has a plan and taking good at-bats. First thing for timing is eyes, staying in zone. Not a lot of chasing outside the zone.
Did not know today is his two-year managing anniversary. Not about him. Amazing opportunity provided him. Privilege to manage StL Cardinals. Been honor to work with players and staff.
MLB will pipe in crowd noise like used today. It could change, but he thinks plan is the noise to be “unified” across the league.
Thursday intrasquad will be a 7 pm start with workouts prior. Wainwright and Kim to start. Miller to appear in relief.
Are factors like option years remaining less important this year? Gomber, PDL, and Sosa all have 1 option remaining.
C27 asked:
Also, has Kim pitched? He pitched very well in the spring.
Yes, scroll back to the 8th on this thread. He was pitching live BP. Though I think Thursday will be his first intrasquad action.
GC said:
Sosa is more of a left side of infield guy and Max is a second baseman first but can play 3B. Max is a LH hitter which makes him more valuable to me than Sosa.
Others see Sosa as a legit SS, which makes him more valuable to them.
My point exactly…they do not play the same position and both are behind starters. Being a LH hitter gives Max the edge to me but both aren’t going to get a chance unless there is an injury or a trade.
Sosa also plays second and third. Schrock just plays those two. SS is the most valuable of the three positions. Sosa is on the 40-man and Schrock is not. That is two edges to Sosa and one to Schrock (LHB).
P.S. Sosa is also a year and a half younger…
C27 asked:
Are factors like option years remaining less important this year? Gomber, PDL, and Sosa all have 1 option remaining.
I would be surprised if Gomber and Ponce use an option this year, but it could be a reason to give Sosa the tiebreaker over another player to stay with StL’s 26 – if there was an obvious roster tradeoff. I don’t see one, though, now that Brad Miller has essentially replaced Munoz…
C27 said:
Was hoping Sosa, Ravelo, and Carlson would have a better chance of staying on active with bigger rosters. Maybe they still will?
Sosa would need Brad Miller or another infielder to get hurt. Ravelo is on my projected 30. Carlson seems slated for Springfield initially.
Sosa also plays second and third. Schrock just plays those two. SS is the most valuable of the three positions. Sosa is on the 40-man and Schrock is not. That is two edges to Sosa and one to Schrock (LHB).
The problem both have is that Tommy Edman plays all three positions and would play 2B & SS if there was an injury before either Schrock or Sosa.
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