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I don’t see the Cards spending much in 2027, unless there is a labor agreement. Maybe some low hanging fruit. A May or Urias signing.
I’ve always preferred Bernal over Crooks. Crooks just happened to be a level ahead most years. The return of Scott doesn’t thrill me. He will be given another chance. In the lower minors he bunted quite a bit. He should try that more often.
I’m not sure I agree with that assessment. Obp is an important stat, but so is how often a prospect strikes out. Baez, in this category would probably be in the top 10%-20% of the top 100.And as noted he has improved at Springfield.
I will expand with individual grades.
Catcher
Herrera C+, he hasn’t hit as well as I hoped. He was relatively healthy
Crooks F, he strikes out too much, and will likely be passed by Rodriguez and Bernal.
Pages C, he is what he is, a defensive catcher
Bernal incomplete, not even sure we’ll know what we have after the next monthFirst base
Burleson A, he has had his best season and should be a candidate for a long term extension.Second base
Wetherholt B, a great rookie season. An all around good player who will only get better.Shortstop
Winn, B-, his gold glove makes a huge difference. If he hits more he would be an easy A.Third base
Gorman F, he has regressed so much that I don’t think he has a future with us.
Jordan Incomplete, I reflect back to his time at Memphis a last year and then this year. He improved so much and has been a run producer in the minors. We have to give him time in 2027, if there is a season to see what we have. Jesus Baez might be our future.Left field
Baez, incomplete, he has to make more contact. He proved he can do this in his breakout 2025 season I just hope he can improve and not be another Gorman.Center field
Church C-, he probably would fill as a 4th outfielder. I am hopeful Ragsdale, Peete, or Frias will eventually fill this position.Scott F, despite his great speed he just can’t hit enough. He would make a great difference if he could hit. He plays very good defense.
Right field
Walker A+, he has exceeded all expectations and should be locked up long term.Starting pitchers
McGreevy B-, he was great before the last 4 or 5 starts. He may be tiring, but overall seems our ace.Leahy B+, he has exceeded expectations. After a rough start has a sub 3 era, which is great. But he is 29 and might be dealt.
Liberatore D-, he has regressed. He gets a lot of Ks, but has not got the most out of his stuff. He likely might get moved to the pen next year.
Pallante B, he has also done better than expected. I wonder if he has improved, or has been a little lucky. He figures to outprice his value next year and may be traded while his value is higher.
Dobbins, Incomplete, he has filled in well but is now injured with an uncertain return.
Mathews, Incomplete, he will get an audition for the next month, but should be in the rotation next year.
Roby, Incomplete, maybe I am too optimistic on him but I feel he and Mathews have the best pure stuff of this group.
Fitts, Incomplete, in a brief look this year he looked good. He will likely be out ubtil next May or so, but could be in the mud as a starter then.
Bullpen
O’Brien B, he has had a few meltdowns, but has exceeded expectations. He is older, so he may be dealt at some point. But there is little bullpen competition with the exception of Gastulem.Gastelum Incomplete, his change up baffles a lot of hitters,and he has a decent fastball. He could be a future closer.
Soriano B, He has much better than expected. He is a solid set up guy.
Bruihl, B, again he has been better than i thought. I still don’t believe in him longer term.
Stanek, D-, he has been a bust as a free agent signing, even though he was cheap.
Graceffo, A, he has been great. I am wondering if he might be tried as a starter next year.
Svanson, F, he was awful this year. Not sure how you can go IMO from being a future closer to being a liability. His stuff is very good, but it shows how volatile relievers are from year to year.
Bench
Fermin, C, he improved his hitting this year, but i am not convinced he has a future role with us. I think he can be upgraded.Torres, C-, I was hoping he’d hit better. His minor league history says he will.
Pereira, Incomplete, if he can cut down on his strikeouts he may be a valuable right handed bat that can play center field. All we know so far is that his defense is very good.
I still wonder if Roby couldn’t be used in relief to get some innings. This is assuming he gets back to game action. He has the Memphis playoffs to appear in if he’s ready which should be the end of September.
Graceffo has had longer outings his last 2 games, and they were both really good. I am wondering if he would be a candidate to start next year. He used to be a starter so that is a plus. Maybe he can bridge the gap until prospects are ready.
Given his career high in innings would Franklin be considered for the AFL? Otherwise maybe repeaters like Roby and Hjerpe. Although Hjerpe may get a chance in St Louis before the end of the year.
I think this year has been better than expected. I thought we’d be terrible. Seems a lot of our posters agreed. But this year has been occasionally entertaining especially with the additions of Baez, Mathews, Wetherholt and Jordan. Walker has played near MVP level. Graceffo has had a good year. Now we add Bernal.
I believe we had the third youngest lineup. That’s not counting Baez and Bernal. There is much to be excited about. I sure hope there is a 2027. But at least our minor leagues will continue prospect development.With all of recent additions of Rincon we’re getting closer to what the 2027 roster will look like. Rincon may not survive if he doesn’t do well though.
With Bernal being a switch hitter he doesn’t have to be platooned. I’d give Bernal most of reps dhing him against lefties. Let Herrera catch a few games. Pages should play sparingly, or sent down if they nave an injury.
I like these moves. Let’s give Crooks some AAA at bats. Maybe he can catch fire and help Memphis with their playoff run. Let’s try Bernal out. He doesn’t strike out like Crooks. This will give Bernal a leg up for next year. Rincon had a rough start at Memphis, but his era is around 2.25 the last few months. We just don’t have any other ready relief prospects doing well.
Now if only they can add Mendoza. Might take another injury and/or Prieto doing badly. Is Jordan out much longer? I really like Mendoza. He could be a valuable utility guy who can hit. I actually prefer him over Fermin and Prieto, but I don’t think the FO does.
I am so glad Rincon got added. He has always been one of my favorite prospects. He deserves a chance.
Any chance Mendoza gets a chance if Prieto continues to fail. Is Prieto AAAA? Why not give guys an audition? Rincon I’d like to see too. We just need another roster spot to try out both. Saggesse has not impressed so far. He actually hasn’t done much at AAA.
I think Hansen only chance to see St Lou is this year. He could be a Shuster or Zimmerman type. Next year Memphis looks to have a rotation of Cinjtje, Franklin, Doyle, Molina, and either Roby or Fitts. Santana, Findlay and Watson would be the lefty relievers. Long relief would be his only option without injuries.
I am one that doesn’t necessarily believe that every pitcher with control issues is a terrible thing. If it is manageable due to low batting average against. As long as the pitchers whip isn’t too high. A prospect that comes to mind is Clemente. He is very wild, but does not get hit. Any small improvement could make him an MLB arm.
I was wondering before if Memphis would add players from Springfield due to 1 week gap between their regular season ends. If the timing is right it could happen that a Doyle or Rodriguez promotion would happen. But after Brian pointed out the recent records of both of our top 2 farm teams. Memphis has struggled in the last month, while Springfield has florished. And Memphis lost key contributors like Baez, Mathews, and Gastelum.
Now I am curious about the the flip side of Springfield getting Peorias best remaining prospects. Possibly Clarke or Odle could provide a valuable arm. Worley has had a good year, and would be helpful. If they need an infielder maybe Flores might be a thought. But I am thinking an injury would have to happen before any additions might be considered. I think their series are best of 3;which would affect getting any new players.I liked Evan Sisk pitching when he pitched for Springfield. Since then, he has went on to forge a decent to good MLB career. Thesevdays when posting sub 3 eras you are way above average. We traded him away for JA Happ. I am sure glad that we aren’t trading over the hill veterans for prospects any more. I know that Sisk isn’t the best thing since sliced bread. But he is a serviceable good reliever. I guess we have to be patient while the Mottar, Shusters, and Zimmermans patch holes while we wait for our kids to develop.
My top 50 are
1 Rodriguez
2 Doyle
3 Jo Baez
4 Je Baez
5 Mathews
6 Bernal
7;Franklin
8 Fajardo
9 Peete
10 Ragland
11 Condon
11 Frias
12 Cinjtje
13 Clarke
14 Roby
15 Kuhns
16 Hjerpe
17 Odle
18 Padilla
19 Eagen
20 Luna
21 Dos Santos
22 Santana
23 Gurevitch
24 Molina
25 Cho
26 Maniscalco
27 Williamson
28 Crossland
29 Sa Hernandez
30 Henderson
31 Rincon
32 Van Dyke
33=Davis
36 Lin
37 Cruz
38 Hernandez
39 Montesa
40 Ferraro
41 Kennedy
42Randall
43 Prieto
44 Cana
45 Hansen
46 Peña
47 LeBron
48 Richardson III
49 Davila
50 Flores
