photo: Sean Kealey (Allegheny College)
The big news (and the positive news) from the Class-A Palm Beach Cardinals on Saturday is the activation of third baseman Jordan Walker from the seven-day injured list.
Walker
Walker, 18, had been out since May 20 with a sprained wrist and he went on the IL on May 28.
At the time of his IL placement, the Cardinals’ first-round draft pick in 2021 led Palm Beach in home runs (2), was second in doubles (6) and third in RBI (8). Walker’s slash stats led the team in average at .333, slugging at .600 and OPS at 1.074.
Kealey
Also, the organization has signed its third pitcher from independent ball in recent days, with left-hander Sean Kealey reportedly targeted for the Beach Birds. The Washington (PA) Wild Things of the Frontier League made the announcement on Saturday that the contract of the 23-year-old has been purchased by the Cardinals organization.
Kealey, 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, is a former NCAC Pitcher of the Year at Allegheny College. The Pittsburgh native began his professional career in the 2020 summer pod for Washington after the pandemic shortened his final college season. In four innings over four outings in 2021, Kealey has six strikeouts and has yet to allow a run.
Tena and Justo
As the aforementioned two players prepare to join the team, two others are sidelined. Palm Beach placed right-handed reliever Luis Tena on the seven-day IL and right-handed reliever Francisco Justo has been moved to the temporarily inactive list.
Tena, 21, has thrown 14 innings over 11 games, allowing 11 runs, nine earned, for a 5.79 ERA. The Dominican native struck out 19 but walked 10.
Justo, 22, has logged 14 2/3 innings over nine appearances, charged with 13 runs, nine earned, for a 5.52 ERA. The Cardinals’ 12th-rounder in 2018 is having an even bigger problem with walks than Tena, with 15, to go with 17 strikeouts, two hit batters and two long balls issued.
Update
The Cardinals have signed yet another independent ball hurler, Cory Thompson. The 26-year-old had one save and a 0.00 ERA in 12 innings across six relief appearances for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association. The Chicago native struck out 19 and walked four.
Thompson was originally drafted as a shortstop by the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth round in 2013 from a South Carolina high school. He converted to pitching in 2017 and has a career 3.13 ERA in 175 2/3 innings. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder became a minor league free agent following the 2019 season after reaching Double-A.
Thompson has been assigned to High-A Peoria.
For more
To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.
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