photo: Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker (St. Louis Cardinals)
St. Louis Cardinals news from last week includes a 4-2-1 record in spring training games and a Grapefruit League-best 13-6-1 mark overall. Jordan Walker continues his strong bid to make the team and Nolan Gorman is also standing out. Our weekly history feature highlights the club’s coaching staff, starting with Packy Elkins.
Spring Training game recaps
Monday, March 13 – Off day
Tuesday, March 14 – Cardinals 3 at Astros 3
On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals played to their first tie of the spring, a 3-3 game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach. Starter Zack Thompson pitched one scoreless inning with no hits, one strikeout and one walk.
Thompson was followed by Packy Naughton, Andrew Suarez, Anthony Wisiewicz, Jake Woodford, Ryan Loutos, and Kyle Leahy. Woodford gave up all three Astros runs.
Nolan Gorman drove in all three of the Cardinals runs and was 2-for-3. There were no extra base hits from St. Louis’ offense. Andrew Knizner and Jordan Walker provided the other two of the Cardinals four hits.
The offense was 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
Scott Hurst stole his first base of the spring.
Wednesday, March 15 – Cardinals 4 at Mets 1
The Cardinals beat the Mets in a 4-1 contest at Port St. Lucie on Wednesday. Connor Thomas started. The left hander pitched four scoreless innings with two hits and two punchouts.
In relief of Thomas came Drew VerHagen, Wilking Rodriguez, Ryan Helsley, Jordan Hicks, and Chris Stratton. VerHagen surrendered the lone Mets score.
Kramer Robertson was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Robertson, along with Alec Burleson and Dylan Carlson doubled. Carlson, Juan Yepez and Victor Scott II each had an RBI.
Carlson was caught stealing for the first time of the spring.
Thursday, March 16 – Cardinals 0, Astros 3
The Cardinals were blanked by the Astros on Thursday at Roger Dean Stadium. Starter Jack Flaherty threw 4 1/3 innings, gave up three runs on seven hits, struck out three and walked two.
Connor Lunn, Andre Granillo, Andrew Suarez, Packy Naughton, Zack Thompson, and Anthony Wisiewicz followed on the mound.
The Cardinals offense scattered eight hits but could not scratch a run across. Brendan Donovan was 2-for-3, as was Chase Pinder. Donovan and Luken Baker had the extra base hits, both doubles.
Kramer Robertson was caught stealing for the first time.
Friday, March 17 – Cardinals 16 at Marlins 2
The Cardinals blew out the Marlins with a 16-2 drubbing at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday. Steven Matz got the start. The left hander pitched five innings, gave up one run on four hits and struck out three.
Matz yielded to Drew VerHagen, Ryan Helsley, Jordan Hicks, and Chris Stratton. Hicks was charged with the second Marlins run.
Masyn Winn went 3-for-4 with four RBI. Two of Winn’s hits went for extra bases. Willson Contreras was 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Jose Alvarez was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Dylan Carlson was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Jordan Walker drove in two.
Saturday, March 18 – Cardinals 8, Tigers 4
The Cardinals defeated the Tigers on Saturday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium. Matthew Liberatore got the start. The left hander pitched five innings, gave up one run on three hits, struck out six and walked one.
Following Liberatore on the mound were Genesis Cabrera, Wilking Rodriguez, Ryan Loutos, Anthony Misiewicz, and Andrew Suarez. The Rule 5 pick Rodriguez surrendered three runs.
The long ball was featured in this contest. Non-roster invitee Taylor Motter hit two home runs, a solo shot and a two-run shot. Dylan Carlson had a two-run blast.
Carlson was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Alec Burleson was also 2-for-4 with two RBI. Motter was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Masyn Winn was 2-for-4. Willson Contreras was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Winn was picked off and caught stealing. Shortstop Tommy Edman, back from the World Baseball Classic, and catcher Tres Barrera each made a throwing error.
Sunday, March 19 – Cardinals 8 at Mets 7
The Cardinals ended the week with a second victory over the Mets, this time at Port St. Lucie. Dakota Hudson started and was not very good. The right hander pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up five runs on 10 hits, struck out two and walked two.
In relief were Zack Thompson, Packy Naughton, Chris Stratton, Kyle Leahy, and Dalton Roach. Stratton allowed two runs.
Nolan Gorman hit his third home run of the spring, a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Oscar Mercado was 2-for-5. Other extra-base hits were doubles by Jordan Walker, Mercado, and Justin Toerner.
Noah Mendlinger was caught stealing.
The Big Picture
The Cardinals went 4-2-1 for the third full week of Grapefruit League play. The team’s overall record is 13-6-1, which leads the Grapefruit League. The Red Sox are one game back.
The offense continues to produce, even with two of their stars still away at the World Baseball Classic. The top producers by OPS are Brendan Donovan (1.036), Jordan Walker (1.033), Masyn Winn (1.027), and Nolan Gorman (1.014).
The pitching, especially starters, still need work. Steven Matz (1.54 ERA) and Matthew Liberatore (1.80) have pitched well in limited outings. Jack Flaherty has appeared healthy but hasn’t sparkled as of yet. His ERA in three spring starts is 4.76. Jordan Montgomery had two uneven starts this spring (7.71 ERA).
Relief pitching has been mostly fine, with a group ERA of 3.70, third-best in MLB this spring. Zack Thompson has been unscored upon in eight appearances this spring. On the other hand, Chris Stratton has struggled in his appearances (5.14 ERA) and Wilking Rodriguez (4.26) has been up and down.
Defense and baserunning have been typical for spring training.
There is one more full week of play left in the Grapefruit League. That week the Cardinals will play the Marlins three times, the Nationals twice, plus the Yankees and the Astros.
WBC Update
The Cardinals began with 17 players in the major and minor league system on the rosters of various WBC teams. Team USA had the most, with four Cardinals.
The first round and the quarterfinals have been completed. Team USA came in second in Pool C and advanced to the quarterfinals. Of the Cardinals players on the various rosters only seven players remain in the WBC. Adam Wainwright, Miles Mikolas, Paul Goldschmidt, and Nolan Arenado are with Team USA. Team USA beat Cuba in the semifinals and will face the winner of the Japan vs. Mexico semifinal in the championship game on Tuesday,
Lars Nootbaar plays for Team Japan, also in the semifinals. Japan will play Team Mexico in the other semifinal round on Monday. Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero play for Team Mexico.
The finals will take place in Miami on Tuesday, March 21.
News and Notes from Spring Training
- Tickets for Cardinals 2023 Spring Training games are on sale. There are 15 games on the home schedule, with the final game to be played on March 25 against the Marlins
Fans can buy tickets online at https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/tickets/spring-training
- Single game tickets for the 2023 season are now on sale. Opening Day will be on March 30 at Busch Stadium against the Toronto Blue Jays. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/tickets/single-game-tickets
- The Grapefruit League games feature new rules that include a pitch clock, larger bases, and a ban on the shift. Several players have already been tagged with pitch clock violations across both the Grapefruit League and Cactus League.
- Many players have returned to Spring Training from the WBC, including Tommy Edman, who played for Team Korea. Korea was eliminated from the WBC in the first round. Tyler O’Neill has also returned after his team, Team Canada, was eliminated in the first round. Other players still remain in WBC play as the final rounds are underway.
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade and acquisition rumors.
Transactions
- 3/14 RHP Freddy Pacheco was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers.
- 3/16 The Cardinals optioned LHP Connor Thomas to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 3/16 The Cardinals optioned OF Moises Gomez to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 3/16 The Cardinals optioned C Ivan Herrera to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 3/15-3/19 The Cardinals re-assigned non-roster players SS Jeremy Rivas, RHP Tink Hence, RHP Kyle Leahy, RHP Ryan Loutos, and C Jose Alvarez to minor-league camp.
Remaining in camp are 33 40-man players plus 10 non-roster invitees. The Opening Day roster will consist of 26 players, likely 13 pitchers and 13 position players..
Injury Report
- SS Paul DeJong was scratched from the March 14 game with back discomfort. Manager Oli Marmol stated the team doesn’t believe the injury is serious, but DeJong will be sidelined for a few days.
- INF Jose Fermin (quad strain) is expected to be out for several weeks. Fermin is a 40-man roster player who will return when healthy with the Memphis Redbirds.
Looking Ahead
The third full week of Grapefruit League play has concluded. On Monday the Cardinals will play the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Jake Woodford is scheduled to start.
On Tuesday the Nationals come to Jupiter when Jack Flaherty will take the mound. The Cardinals remain in Jupiter for a Wednesday contest with the Marlins and a Thursday game against the Yankees.
Friday the Cardinals go to West Palm Beach to play the Nationals. The week ends with a third game with the Marlins and another trip to West Palm to face the Astros.
Grapefruit League play for the Cardinals will conclude on March 27 against the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.
The regular season begins on March 30 with the Cardinals taking on the Blue Jays at Busch Stadium.
Blast from the Past
This week Blast from the Past begins a series showcasing the major league coaching staff of the Cardinals. Each week we will present a brief biography of one member of the coaching staff as well as a summary of the member’s playing career if applicable.
This first installment profiles the Cardinals’ Run Production Coach, Packy Elkins. The Run Production Coach assists the hitting coaches, helps with pre-game planning, and develops advanced scouting. Elkins has been with the Cardinals organization for 12 seasons in various roles.
Patrick Hanlon Elkins, nicknamed “Packy”, was born November 6, 1987 in Raleigh, NC. Elkins attended Broughton High School in Raleigh, then went to Belmont University in Nashville. He played baseball for four years at Belmont and later earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2010.
Elkins was selected by the Cardinals in the 37th round of the 2010 draft. The infielder played in the minor league system for three seasons at Johnson City, Quad Cities, and Palm Beach. His final season was in Palm Beach in 2012. Elkins had a combined slash line in his three seasons of .247/.365/.325. The Cardinals released him on October 4, 2012.
Elkins joined the organization after his release, first as a scout for five years. In addition to his scouting duties, he joined the coaching staff of Mike Shildt for the Springfield Cardinals as a fourth coach in 2014.
Elkins begins his third season as a member of the Cardinals coaching staff. He splits his time as part of the uniformed staff and his duties in advanced scouting.
Elkins lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife Brittany and children Annie and Joseph.
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