Home › The Cardinal Nation Forums › Open Forum › Which Cardinal minor league pitcher has the best chance to be a positive
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gscottar.
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October 1, 2026 at 5:14 pm #320087
Chance to be a positive addition to the rotation by mid season 2027? The bullpen?
( I realize not all of these are currently minor leaguers)
Mautz
Hanson
Cjintie
Molina
Doyle
Winquest
Rancon
Rajcic
Svanson
Roby
Santana
Clemente
Franklin
Clarke
Other?-
This topic was modified 1 day ago by
CariocaCardinal.
October 1, 2026 at 6:27 pm #320094CC, I think Santana may be up mid 2027, and be very valuable. Molina would be my next choice with him being outstanding his last few starts. Franklin and Doyle need some AAA seasoning. Fajardo would be a little further behind starting at AA. Roby is a wild card, but we should know more when he pitches in the AFL.
October 1, 2026 at 7:02 pm #320098I like Brandon Christopher Clarke to bust a move towards the big club next year.
October 1, 2026 at 7:22 pm #320100I like Brandon Christopher Clarke
Well, he’s getting his arm operated on again instead of going to AFL. A “minor procedure”. Supposed to work out at the Jupiter complex this winter.
October 1, 2026 at 7:25 pm #320101Roby, Winquest, and Santana all are likely to be strong players in the bullpen. I could see Rajcic being a strength there too, but more than likely he’ll just be average. Who knows what Svanson is anymore? Clarke could be too I suppose. I really don’t know enough about him yet to make any real guesses. Rincon & Mautz are each JAG (just a guy). Clemente should be gone through free agency. I don’t think Hansen ever makes it.
I don’t know that anyone on the list is likely to be a strong positive as a starter next season. I would bet Molina and Cijntje will both struggle in their first partial season in the MLB. I don’t think Doyle or Franklin get promoted that high yet – at least not until September.
You didn’t put Hjerpe on your list. He could potentially be a positive as either a starter or reliever, but would have serious innings limits as a starter. You also didn’t put Eagan on there. I find him a bit fascinating and think he could get a trial run at some point if there are enough injuries. Also, don’t completely dismiss Brandt Thompson. Nobody ever talks about him. His stuff is mediocre. But he’s a real “pitcher” and he could sneak in there in the right scenario.
Those are all my best guesses anyway!
October 1, 2026 at 7:52 pm #320105Pugs, I hope you’re right about Clarke, but his control is very iffy.
October 1, 2026 at 7:53 pm #320106And I hope Roby comes back pitching like he did before he got hurt. He was really good.
October 1, 2026 at 8:28 pm #320107
stlcard25ParticipantSantana is my pick. He’s very difficult to hit, and he’s pretty likely to get a shot in the big leagues next year.
October 1, 2026 at 8:30 pm #320108I’ll go with Cjintje based on today’s analysis titled ‘2026 Minor League Leader – Pitching Counting Stats’ on the front page of TCN website. Just not sure if Cjintje is ready yet. If Hjerpe gets added as a starter, I’ll go with Hjerpe.
For the bullpen I’ll go with Winquest with Santana as my runner up. The Cardinals let Rincon throw some pitches in games at the end of the season. I actually liked what I saw. He looked loose and unintimidated to me. His control is not there yet, but it could be there soon.. If Hjerpe moves toward the bullpen instead of rotation, I’ll go with Hjerpe.
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This reply was modified 21 hours, 5 minutes ago by
mudville.
October 1, 2026 at 8:33 pm #320110I didn’t include Hjerpe because I take it as given he is a 2027 contributer
Clarke has barely pitched above A ball and considered leaving him off the list
October 1, 2026 at 9:42 pm #320122Got it.
October 2, 2026 at 3:02 pm #320160Of the guys on CC’s list I am going with Mason Molina. He has been a but undervalued by some since day 1 but his stock continues to rise.
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