Tag Archives: Matt Pagnozzi

Cardinals hot stove update: 11/30/10

Information regarding St. Louis Cardinals subjects currently in the news.

Theriot joins St. Louis

On Tuesday, the Cardinals acquired infielder Ryan Theriot from the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Blake Hawksworth. GM John Mozeliak immediately anointed the former Chicago Cubs shortstop as Brendan Ryan’s replacement as his starter there. According to the Post-Dispatch’s Joe Strauss, Ryan is rumored to be headed out of town. Once they pull him out from under the bus, that is.

Theriot is arbitration-eligible and is under team control for two more seasons. More details on his signing are available at TheCardinalNation.com.

Tallet signed

The Cardinals picked up what appears to be a situational lefty in 33-year-old Brian Tallet. He was let go by Toronto after five seasons of both starting and relieving. With decent numbers against left-handed hitters in his career, Tallet looks like he could be ok if not overexposed.

You can find more on him in the same article linked to above. The roster matrix here is current with Tuesday’s moves.

No Type A free agents likely

The Cardinals are not likely to sign a Type A free agent who was offered and declined arbitration, Mozeliak told MLB.com. Otherwise, they would give up their first-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, currently sitting at number 22.

Though the final decisions are not yet in, here are the names likely out of bounds as a result. No major surprises. Paul Konerko (CWS), Adam Dunn (Was), Adrian Beltre (Bos), Jayson Werth (Phi), Carl Crawford (TB), Cliff Lee (Tex), Carl Pavano (Min), Rafael Soriano (TB), Scott Downs (Tor), Jason Frasor (Tor), Frank Francisco (Tex), Grant Balfour (TB).

Fat Elvis sighting

Former Astros first baseman Lance Berkman has been told that Houston, who traded him to the Yankees this past summer, does not want the free agent back. In comments to The Houston Chronicle, Berkman included the Cardinals among a number of clubs kicking his tires. Apparently, they considered him a viable corner outfield candidate.

FOX Sports reports that Berkman wants $7 million for 2011 and will likely get it, perhaps from Oakland. The rub is that despite having bad knees, Berkman does not want to be a designated hitter. It appears that getting in better shape could help his cause.

Pags gone

Catcher Matt Pagnozzi, who saw time with St. Louis in September with both Yadier Molina and Jason LaRue injured, has been signed by the Colorado Rockies as a minor league free agent. Pags declared free agency after having been removed from the Cardinals’ 40-man roster following the season.

A pair of Pirates cut loose

Two Pittsburgh Pirates, third baseman Andy LaRoche and switch-hitting second baseman/outfielder Delwyn Young, cleared waivers and became free agents. Both had been removed from the Bucs’ 40-man roster after being designated for assignment. The two were former Dodgers top prospects. LaRoche had been Pittsburgh’s starting third baseman in 2009, but didn’t hit enough to keep the job.

La Roche could offer third base depth for the Cardinals, but they may spend more for a stronger option such as Miguel Tejada. If they stop at LaRoche or someone like him, it would seem another high-risk gamble on David Freese’s health.

Another chance for Big Mac

33 players are up for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. 14 are repeaters, including Mark McGwire, joined by 19 first-timers. Former Cardinals are in bold.

The complete ballot includes: Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Jeff Bagwell, Harold Baines, Bert Blyleven, Bret Boone, Kevin Brown, John Franco, Juan Gonzalez, Marquis Grissom, Lenny Harris, Bobby Higginson, Charles Johnson, Barry Larkin, Al Leiter, Edgar Martinez, Tino Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Raul Mondesi, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, John Olerud, Rafael Palmeiro, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Kirk Rueter, Benito Santiago, Lee Smith, B.J. Surhoff, Alan Trammell and Larry Walker.

link to bios for each candidate

Cardinals post-season shares

With a second-place finish, the 2010 Cardinals get money even though they didn’t make the playoffs.

Share of Players’ Pool: $549,021.64; value of each full share: $9,679.42 – The Cardinals awarded 44 full shares, 12.05 partial shares and 4 cash awards.

Link to MLB press release

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Pags’ squeeze a rare play

Friday night’s suicide squeeze by Matt Pagnozzi was the St. Louis Cardinals’ first in three years.

Matt Pagnozzi (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)St. Louis Cardinals rookie catcher Matt Pagnozzi executed a squeeze play in the sixth inning on Friday night, driving home the last of the Cardinals’ three runs in their win over the Colorado Rockies.

It was the first successful suicide squeeze for an RBI by a member of the Cardinals in almost three years. The last was been in April 2008 by pitcher Brad Thompson.

In the last 51 years, since 1960, the Cardinals have executed 146 sacrifice bunts that delivered an RBI. That averages slightly fewer than three per season. As recently as 2005, the Cardinals had 11 such plays, executed by 11 different players.

Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith led the way with 20 sac bunts for RBIs since 1960.

St. Louis Cardinals team leaders, sacrifice bunt RBI, 1960-2010

O.Smith 20
Forsch 7
Herr 7
Oquendo 6
Taguchi 5
LaValliere 4
Matheny 4
Pendleton 4

By a considerable margin, the 1980’s era Whiteyball was the most prevalent decade for this play.

St. Louis Cardinals, sacrifice bunt RBI by decade, 1960-2010

2000’s 31
1990’s 18
1980’s 68
1970’s 9
1960’s 17

The list of the previous 145 sacrifice bunts that delivered RBIs follows, all courtesy of researcher Tom Orf.

St. Louis Cardinals, sacrifice bunt RBI, 1960-2010

Date Batter Opp Pitcher Score BOP Pos Inn RoB Out RBI
4/8/2008 Brad Thompson @HOU Shawn Chacon tied 0-0 8 1 Out t2 123 1 1
8/15/2007 Brendan Ryan @MIL Yovani Gallardo ahead 1-5 9 4 Out t6 -23 1 1
9/10/2006 Jeff Suppan @ARI Tony Pena ahead 4-6 9 1 Out t6 -23 1 1
8/1/2006 Ronnie Belliard PHI Scott Mathieson down 3-1 7 4 Out b4 1-3 1 1
5/19/2006 So Taguchi @KCR Joel Peralta ahead 5-8 7 7 Out t5 3 1 1
4/24/2006 David Eckstein PIT Oliver Perez ahead 0-3 1 6 Out b2 1-3 1 1
9/17/2005 Mark Mulder @CHC Greg Maddux ahead 0-1 9 1 Out t2 1-3 1 1
9/2/2005 John Rodriguez @HOU Brad Lidge tied 3-3 5 7 Out t10 3 1 1
8/20/2005 Yadier Molina SFG Kevin Correia ahead 2-3 8 2 FC b6 -23 1 1
8/17/2005 Abraham Nunez ARI Brandon Webb ahead 0-4 2 5 Out b7 1-3 1 1
8/10/2005 So Taguchi @MIL Ben Sheets tied 0-0 3 9 Out t1 3 1 1
7/31/2005 Hector Luna @LAD Steve Schmoll ahead 2-4 7 5 Out t8 3 1 1
7/26/2005 Einar Diaz @SDP Woody Williams ahead 0-3 8 2 Out t6 1-3 1 1
7/6/2005 David Eckstein @ARI Javier Vazquez tied 1-1 1 6 Out t9 3 1 1
6/25/2005 Chris Carpenter PIT Mark Redman ahead 0-4 9 1 Out b4 1-3 1 1
6/6/2005 Matt Morris BOS Tim Wakefield ahead 1-2 9 1 Out b2 1-3 1 1
5/17/2005 Jeff Suppan @PHI Cory Lidle down 2-0 9 1 Out t2 1-3 1 1
9/18/2004 So Taguchi ARI Chad Durbin ahead 0-4 2 8 Out b7 123 1 1
5/11/2004 Mike Matheny ATL Jaret Wright ahead 1-2 8 2 RoE b6 1-3 1 1
4/29/2004 So Taguchi PHI Kevin Millwood tied 0-0 8 7 Out b5 3 1 1
4/22/2004 Hector Luna @HOU Dan Miceli tied 1-1 9 11 Out t12 3 1 1
9/16/2003 Bo Hart MIL Luis Martinez ahead 0-3 1 4 Out b2 3 1 1
8/24/2003 So Taguchi PHI Mike Williams ahead 0-2 9 9 Out b8 123 1 1
7/3/2003 Bo Hart SFG Kirk Rueter ahead 0-3 1 4 Out b2 1-3 1 1
4/27/2003 Orlando Palmeiro @FLA Tim Spooneybarger ahead 1-5 9 11 Out t9 3 1 1
9/10/2002 Miguel Cairo @MIL Jose Cabrera ahead 3-6 1 4 Out t8 -23 1 1
8/11/2002 Chuck Finley NYM Pedro Astacio tied 0-0 9 1 RoE b2 123 1 1
7/14/2002 Bud Smith @SDP Bobby Jones ahead 0-2 9 1 Out t6 1-3 1 1
6/1/2002 Mike Matheny PIT Bronson Arroyo ahead 0-5 8 2 Out b1 3 1 1
9/2/2001 Mike Matheny @LAD Kevin Brown tied 0-0 8 2 Out t2 123 1 1
7/27/2001 Mike Matheny @CHC Jason Bere ahead 1-2 8 2 Out t2 3 1 1
6/6/1999 Joe McEwing @DET Bryce Florie tied 1-1 1 4 RoE t5 1-3 1 1
9/22/1998 Luis Ordaz HOU Scott Elarton ahead 0-3 7 6 Out b6 123 1 1
9/16/1998 Joe McEwing PIT Jason Christiansen ahead 0-2 1 4 Out b7 -23 1 1
8/7/1998 Kent Bottenfield CHC Steve Trachsel tied 3-3 8 1 RoE b1 123 1 1
8/5/1998 Kent Mercker @MIL Jeff Juden ahead 1-3 8 1 FC t4 1-3 1 1
7/12/1998 Placido Polanco HOU Sean Bergman ahead 1-3 7 4 Out b3 123 1 1
4/25/1998 David Howard @PHI Yorkis Perez ahead 5-6 8 4 Out t8 3 1 1
5/24/1997 Andy Benes @SFG Joe Roa ahead 2-3 9 1 Out t4 123 1 1
4/15/1997 Brady Raggio @FLA Alex Fernandez ahead 0-3 9 1 Out t4 3 1 1
9/13/1996 Danny Sheaffer @LAD Mark Guthrie tied 0-0 7 2 Out t9 12- 0 1
9/12/1993 Rheal Cormier @SFG John Burkett ahead 1-2 9 1 Out t4 3 1 1
4/22/1993 Jose Oquendo COL Jeff Parrett ahead 2-4 8 6 Out b8 1-3 1 1
7/23/1992 Rheal Cormier CIN Jose Rijo tied 1-1 9 1 Out b2 1-3 0 1
8/25/1991 Tom Pagnozzi LAD Tim Belcher ahead 1-3 7 2 Out b6 -23 1 1
6/13/1991 Jose Oquendo @SDP Atlee Hammaker ahead 1-4 8 4 Out t5 1-3 1 1
9/9/1990 Bryn Smith @CHC Mike Bielecki ahead 0-2 9 1 Out t2 3 1 1
7/5/1990 Ozzie Smith @SDP Greg Harris ahead 1-2 2 6 Out t9 3 1 1
6/1/1990 Jose Oquendo CHC Greg Maddux ahead 1-2 8 4 Out b6 3 1 1
08/14/1989-2 Tim Jones ATL Paul Assenmacher ahead 2-4 7 6 Out b6 123 1 1
4/22/1989 Terry Pendleton MON Gene Harris ahead 2-3 3 5 FC b7 3 1 1
9/11/1988 Ozzie Smith CHC Mike Harkey tied 2-2 2 6 Out b7 3 1 1
9/5/1988 Ozzie Smith MON Jeff Parrett ahead 2-4 2 6 Out b7 3 1 1
8/24/1988 Jose Oquendo ATL Bruce Sutter ahead 3-4 7 4 Out b8 123 1 1
6/28/1988 Luis Alicea MON John Dopson tied 2-2 8 4 Out b6 1-3 1 1
6/23/1988 Ozzie Smith PHI Shane Rawley ahead 0-1 2 6 Out b7 3 1 1
6/4/1988 Jose Oquendo @PHI Kent Tekulve ahead 1-5 7 5 FC t8 123 1 1
4/30/1988 Luis Alicea @LAD Fernando Valenzuela ahead 0-1 8 4 FC t2 3 1 1
4/21/1988 Tom Herr @PIT Vicente Palacios ahead 3-7 4 4 Out t7 3 1 1
9/15/1987 Bob Forsch @PHI Kevin Gross ahead 0-2 9 1 Out t2 1-3 1 1
8/30/1987 Jose Oquendo ATL Gene Garber tied 3-3 7 4 FC b9 123 1 1
8/14/1987 Greg Mathews PHI Bruce Ruffin down 3-2 9 1 Out b2 1-3 1 1
6/28/1987 Ozzie Smith @MON Jeff Parrett tied 6-6 2 6 Out t11 3 1 1
6/14/1987 Tom Herr CHC Ed Lynch ahead 0-2 3 4 Out b7 3 1 1
6/13/1987 Ozzie Smith CHC Dickie Noles ahead 2-4 2 6 Out b7 1-3 1 1
5/19/1987 Rod Booker @ATL Rick Mahler tied 3-3 8 11 Out t7 1-3 1 1
5/12/1987 Joe Magrane @SFG Mike LaCoss ahead 1-5 9 1 Out t9 3 1 1
4/26/1987 Bob Forsch @NYM Randy Myers ahead 0-6 9 1 Out t5 3 1 1
9/21/1986 Mike LaValliere @MON Curt Brown ahead 2-6 7 2 Out t8 1-3 1 1
8/31/1986 Tom Herr CIN Carl Willis ahead 3-7 3 4 FC b6 3 1 1
8/13/1986 Danny Cox @MON Bryn Smith tied 1-1 9 1 Out t2 123 1 1
8/7/1986 John Tudor PHI Kevin Gross tied 2-2 9 1 RoE b6 1-3 1 1
8/4/1986 Terry Pendleton PHI Dan Schatzeder tied 2-2 5 5 FC b9 123 1 1
7/30/1986 Bob Forsch @PHI Charles Hudson ahead 0-1 9 1 Out t2 123 1 1
7/21/1986 Tom Herr SFG Steve Carlton tied 3-3 5 4 Out b6 3 1 1
6/29/1986 Mike LaValliere PHI Don Carman ahead 4-5 6 2 Out b8 -23 1 1
6/27/1986 Ozzie Smith PHI Shane Rawley down 1-0 2 6 RoE b5 3 1 1
6/24/1986 Terry Pendleton PIT Jim Winn ahead 1-2 7 5 Out b4 3 1 1
6/11/1986 Mike LaValliere MON Jeff Reardon down 3-2 6 11 Out b9 3 1 1
6/3/1986 Greg Mathews @HOU Jim Deshaies ahead 0-2 9 1 Out t5 3 1 1
5/11/1986 Mike LaValliere SFG Mike Krukow ahead 0-1 8 2 Out b2 3 1 1
5/8/1986 Ozzie Smith SDP Craig Lefferts tied 3-3 2 6 Out b6 1-3 1 1
9/20/1985 Ozzie Smith MON Randy St. Claire ahead 3-4 7 6 Out b8 3 1 1
8/26/1985 Ozzie Smith @CIN Jay Tibbs ahead 0-2 8 6 Out t2 3 1 1
6/23/1985 Randy Hunt CHC Lary Sorensen ahead 0-4 8 2 Out b6 1-3 1 1
6/18/1985 Tom Nieto PHI Larry Andersen ahead 0-4 8 2 Out b5 123 1 1
6/16/1985 Ozzie Smith @CHC Dennis Eckersley ahead 0-2 7 6 Out t4 123 1 1
6/14/1985 Tom Nieto @CHC Lary Sorensen ahead 4-5 8 2 RoE t6 3 1 1
5/28/1985 Tom Nieto @ATL Zane Smith ahead 0-2 8 2 RoE t4 3 1 1
5/26/1985 Terry Pendleton @CIN John Franco ahead 2-4 6 5 Out t8 1-3 1 1
5/20/1985 Ozzie Smith ATL Craig McMurtry ahead 0-5 2 6 Out b4 3 1 1
09/12/1984-2 Ozzie Smith @PHI Kevin Gross down 3-2 8 6 RoE t4 1-3 1 1
6/17/1984 Ozzie Smith NYM Bruce Berenyi ahead 1-3 8 6 Out b4 1-3 1 1
5/27/1984 Tom Herr @ATL Terry Forster ahead 8-11 2 4 Out t8 1-3 1 1
5/18/1984 Ozzie Smith CIN Tom Hume ahead 3-4 7 6 Out b8 1-3 1 1
4/27/1984 Ozzie Smith @MON Bob James ahead 2-5 8 6 RoE t8 1-3 1 1
9/22/1983 Jeff Doyle NYM Ron Darling ahead 0-1 2 4 Out b5 1-3 1 1
9/7/1983 Ken Oberkfell PIT Rod Scurry ahead 1-4 6 5 Out b7 3 1 1
9/4/1983 Glenn Brummer CIN Joe Price ahead 0-1 8 2 Out b2 1-3 1 1
8/19/1983 Andy Van Slyke HOU Mike Madden ahead 0-1 3 5 Out b8 123 1 1
6/21/1983 Neil Allen @NYM Tom Gorman ahead 0-3 9 1 Out t2 3 1 1
6/17/1983 Ozzie Smith CHC Chuck Rainey ahead 2-3 8 6 RoE b4 3 1 1
6/11/1983 Ozzie Smith @CHC Craig Lefferts tied 0-0 8 6 Out t2 3 1 1
4/15/1983 John Stuper NYM Scott Holman ahead 0-4 9 1 RoE b6 3 1 1
8/23/1982 Ozzie Smith LAD Terry Forster ahead 1-4 1 6 Out b6 123 1 1
8/14/1982 Mike Ramsey @PIT Kent Tekulve ahead 1-3 7 5 Out t8 3 1 1
8/13/1982 Bob Forsch @PIT Don Robinson down 2-1 9 1 Out t2 -23 1 1
8/3/1982 Ozzie Smith PIT Don Robinson ahead 1-3 8 6 Out b5 123 1 1
7/31/1982 Steve Mura @MON Dan Schatzeder ahead 0-6 9 1 Out t6 3 1 1
7/30/1982 Dave LaPoint @MON Scott Sanderson tied 3-3 9 1 FC t6 1-3 1 1
6/8/1982 Ken Oberkfell @MON Woodie Fryman ahead 3-4 2 5 Out t12 3 1 1
6/8/1982 Mike Ramsey @MON Steve Rogers down 2-1 9 11 Out t7 3 1 1
6/4/1982 Bob Forsch LAD Terry Forster ahead 2-4 9 1 Out b7 3 1 1
5/28/1982 Mike Ramsey SDP Juan Eichelberger ahead 1-3 8 4 Out b7 1-3 1 1
5/12/1981 Tom Herr @HOU Joe Sambito tied 2-2 8 4 RoE t10 3 1 1
8/3/1980 Tom Herr @LAD Rick Sutcliffe ahead 1-3 1 4 Out t9 1-3 1 1
7/16/1980 Pete Vuckovich SDP Bob Shirley ahead 0-2 9 1 Out b7 3 1 1
7/23/1976 Eric Rasmussen CHC Ray Burris tied 0-0 9 1 Out b3 3 1 1
6/21/1976 Lynn McGlothen NYM Bob Apodaca ahead 1-5 9 1 Out b5 1-3 1 1
6/3/1976 Bob Forsch PHI Larry Christenson ahead 0-2 9 1 Out b2 3 1 1
5/4/1976 John Denny @ATL Phil Niekro ahead 0-2 9 1 FC t2 1-3 1 1
8/24/1975 Al Hrabosky ATL Max Leon ahead 2-5 9 1 FC b8 -23 1 1
8/2/1975 Bob Forsch @CHC Milt Wilcox ahead 0-3 9 1 Out t9 1-3 1 1
8/25/1974 Lou Brock @LAD Andy Messersmith down 5-1 1 7 Out t3 3 1 1
9/14/1972 Mick Kelleher @MON Bill Stoneman ahead 0-1 8 6 Out t2 3 1 1
08/13/1972-1 Dal Maxvill @PIT Dock Ellis ahead 0-1 8 6 Out t7 1-3 1 1
7/12/1969 Jim Ellis PIT Steve Blass ahead 0-2 9 1 FC b2 1-3 1 1
9/1/1967 Dal Maxvill HOU Bruce Von Hoff ahead 0-2 8 6 Out b4 1-3 1 1
7/15/1966 Julian Javier @CIN Sammy Ellis ahead 1-2 8 4 Out t4 1-3 1 1
7/9/1966 Ray Washburn HOU Larry Dierker ahead 0-1 9 1 RoE b2 -23 1 1
7/5/1966 Phil Gagliano @SFG Ron Herbel ahead 1-2 2 5 Out t8 -23 1 1
09/05/1965-2 Ray Washburn NYM Rob Gardner tied 0-0 9 1 Out b5 1-3 1 1
7/4/1965 Bob Purkey @NYM Galen Cisco ahead 0-1 9 1 Out t2 123 0 1
06/13/1965-2 Bob Purkey MLN Hank Fischer ahead 0-1 9 1 FC b4 1-3 1 1
9/20/1964 Bill White @CIN Joe Nuxhall ahead 0-4 5 3 Out t3 3 1 1
05/10/1964-2 Ray Washburn @NYM Tom Sturdivant ahead 1-6 9 1 Out t6 3 1 1
5/3/1964 Dick Groat PIT Don Schwall ahead 3-5 2 6 Out b2 3 1 1
4/19/1964 Julian Javier @HOU Don Nottebart tied 1-1 8 4 Out t2 1-3 1 1
8/3/1963 Julian Javier PHI Cal McLish tied 0-0 7 4 Out b2 3 1 1
4/14/1962 Don Landrum @CHC Cal Koonce ahead 1-4 1 8 Out t6 1-3 1 1
9/1/1961 Jimmie Schaffer PIT Al McBean ahead 2-7 8 2 Out b7 1-3 1 1
06/20/1961-2 Bob Lillis @CIN Joey Jay ahead 0-4 8 4 Out t6 3 1 1
5/3/1961 Hal Smith PIT Vinegar Bend Mizell ahead 0-2 8 2 Out b5 3 1 1

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Cardinals September call-up results


Once the final out of the Memphis Redbirds’ loss in the Triple-A Championship Game was secured on the night of September 22, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that four players would be joining the major league club the next day in Houston. Coming into the final month, the team had made it clear they would not disrupt the eventual Pacific Coast League champs if at all possible while they were still playing and lived up to their pledge.

The four promotions represent the smallest September call up total for the Cardinals in recent years and not coincidentally, it was Memphis’ first championship since 2000. With just ten games remaining in the 2009 MLB regular season by that point, there seemed little reason to add a boatload of extra players at the first city of the three-stop final road trip.


The four added are infielders Tyler Greene and David Freese (pictured), right-handed reliever Josh Kinney and catcher Matt Pagnozzi. The former three had been with the major league club during the season while Pagnozzi was first required to be placed onto the organization’s 40-man roster.

Other Memphis contributors sent home included infielder/outfielder Allen Craig, second baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir, left-handers Jaime Garcia and Royce Ring and right-hander P.J. Walters. All except Craig have MLB experience. Of them, there seemed to be the greatest fan uproar over Craig, Memphis’ top hitter for most of the season, but a player without a clear home defensively.

Given all the gnashing of teeth of these moves and non-moves, I thought it would be illustrative to look back to see how much action the four call ups actually received in their ten big league games in late September and early October.

G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
Pagnozzi 6 0 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.000 0.250 0.000 0.250
Greene 7 1 4 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.333 0.500 0.333 0.833
Freese 6 1 12 12 1 7 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 4 0.583 0.583 0.833 1.417
G IP ERA PA AB H 2B 3B HR R SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
Kinney 2 3 0.00 12 11 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.182 0.250 0.273 0.523

As you can see, there really isn’t much to talk about. The three position players were given a total of just two starts and 21 plate appearances, 18 official at-bats.

Pagnozzi went hitless in three at-bats, though he did coax a walk and scored. Greene went 1-for-3 while Freese saw the majority of the time. The third baseman experienced feast or famine with seven hits in 12 at-bats, including a home run, five RBI, but also fanned four times.

Kinney tossed three scoreless innings, a major improvement over his 10.95 ERA coming into the call up, which had been accrued over 15 earlier outings.

With the limited amount of playing time available to these players once Memphis’ season was over, there isn’t much more to say except that Freese looked good – other than perhaps during his first professional appearance behind the plate, that is.

At this early point of the off-season, Freese is the on-paper leader to start at third base next season, while Greene and Pagnozzi could compete for reserve roles. Ditto for Kinney in the bullpen, though none of the latter three are locks to make the major league squad in the spring.

One footnote is that it was rumored that the Cardinals would have liked to find a way for Freese to join their NLDS roster, a move I had earlier predicted. However, with no injured players heading into post-season action, the club had no eligible players to be replaced by the third baseman.

Cardinals non-roster invitees – an update


With the recent addition of three minor leaguers, Shaun Garceau, Katsuhiko Maekawa and Brad Furnish, the number of non-roster invitees (NRIs) set to arrive at the St. Louis Cardinals spring training camp this weekend has grown to 23.

In terms of the primary complement of players in spring training camp, the contents of the 40-man roster, that total has now dropped to 34 players with the subtraction of just-released second baseman Adam Kennedy.

Given these changes and some further work I have done on past NRIs since last time, it seems a good time to revisit the subject for an update as well as an expansion.

I will also note a post by Derrick Goold on his blog that highlights some of the top NRIs in 2009 camp. He did stub his toe slightly on the historical references by labeling Quinton McCracken an NRI, though the outfielder wasn’t. (McCracken was on the 40-man roster in 2001 camp.) In all fairness, several of the current NRIs are Goold’s primary focus and he knows those guys well.

First up here are the updated totals for 2009 along with a longer historical view back to 2000. I will note that the past totals are not necessarily the exact numbers on day one of camp. In some seasons, players were added after spring training was underway. Instead, these numbers include all players in camp those springs.

In other words, don’t be surprised if the 2009 totals change again, but don’t worry. I’ll keep everyone updated if you are not already into this subject yourselves.

Update 2/28: Hyang-Nam Choi added (Clayton Mortensen injured). Corrected McCormick not added. (MLB.com report in error.) NRI total is 26.

Update 2/26: Mark McCormick and Trey Hearne added (Matt Scherer and Mitchell Boggs slowed). Updated NRI total is 26.

Update 2/24: Justin Fiske added. New NRI total 24.

In camp 2009x Avg 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Roster 34 39 40 40 38 38 38 40 38 40 40
NRI 26 23 29 19 23 20 24 23 20 22 26
Total in camp 60 62 69 59 61 58 62 63 58 62 66
x as of 2/28/09
2009 Avg 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
NRI made 25-man TBD 2 2 0 2 2 3 4 1 3 2

As a refresher, here are the identities of the 26 non-roster invitees so far this spring.

Pitchers (14) Catchers (6) Infielders (4) Outfielders (2)
Tyler Herron Bryan Anderson Allen Craig Jon Jay
Clayton Mortensen Tony Cruz David Freese Colby Rasmus
Ian Ostlund Luis De La Cruz Joe Thurston
Adam Ottavino Steven Hill Brett Wallace
Fernando Salas Justin Knoedler
Francisco Samuel Matt Pagnozzi
Jess Todd
P.J. Walters
Brad Furnish added 2/10
Katsuhiko Maekawa added 2/10
Shaun Garceau added 2/10
Justin Fiske added 2/24
Mark McCormick added 2/26
Trey Hearne added 2/26
Hyang-Nam Choi added 2/28

In my earlier NRI article mentioned above, for each recent season, I had highlighted several well-known players that either made the club as an NRI or failed in their attempt. Wouldn’t you know it; a subsequent request was made to share the names of every NRI player.

Being a sucker for reader challenges on interesting topics, I took the bait and did the work.

I have broken the list from left to right into those few who made the team, including the three first-time MLBers, followed by veterans cut, split between pitchers and position players (called “hitters” to save space). Next are the youngsters that didn’t make the team, also broken out by pitchers and position players.

The final column lists the extra catchers, at least one of whom remains a genuine prospect. That is Bryan Anderson (pictured), who in 2009 is attending his fourth consecutive big league spring camp as a member of the organization.

That is a record since 2000 at least, but being Rule 5-eligible this coming winter means that odds are very low that Anderson will have the opportunity to extend his NRI streak to five in a row in 2010. More than likely, he will finally be on the Cardinals 40-man roster or will be gone.

2008 NRI made 25-man Veteran pitcher cut Veteran hitter cut Rookie pitcher cut Rookie hitter cut Extra catchers
Ron Villone Cliff Politte Juan Gonzalez Mitchell Boggs David Freese Bryan Anderson
Rico Washington * Dewan Brazelton D’Angelo Jimenez Hugo Castellanos Amaury Marti Nick Derba
* 1st MLB action Ron Flores Josh Phelps Jaime Garcia Colby Rasmus Gabe Johnson
John Wasdin Clayton Mortensen Nick Stavinoha Mark Johnson
Adam Ottavino Matt Pagnozzi
Chris Perez Brandon Yarbrough
P.J. Walters David Carpenter
Tyler Herron
Stuart Pomeranz
2007 NRI made 25-man Veteran pitcher cut Veteran hitter cut Rookie pitcher cut Rookie hitter cut Extra catchers
none Mike Smith Eli Marrero Kelvin Jimenez Rick Ankiel Bryan Anderson
Jolbert Cabrera Chris Lambert Tagg Bozied Ryan Christianson
Ryan Ludwick Mike Parisi Edgar Gonzalez Brian Esposito
Mike Sillman Miguel Negron Michel Hernandez
Mark Worrell Colby Rasmus Danilo Sanchez
2006 NRI made 25-man Veteran pitcher cut Veteran hitter cut Rookie pitcher cut Rookie hitter cut Extra catchers
Josh Hancock Alan Benes Dave Berg Andy Cavazos none Bryan Anderson
Scott Spiezio Brian Falkenborg Brian Daubach Randy Leek Brian Esposito
Jeff Nelson Ramon Nivar Rich Rundles Iker Franco
Blaine Neal Prentice Redman Gabe Johnson
John Riedling Jason Motte
Dennis Tankersley Kit Pellow
Brad Voyles
John Webb
2005 NRI made 25-man Veteran pitcher cut Veteran hitter cut Rookie pitcher cut Rookie hitter cut Extra catchers
Bill Pulsipher Bob File Raul Gonzalez Jeremy Cummings Skip Schumaker Brad Cresse
Abraham Nunez Toby Borland Mike Bell Anthony Reyes Chris Duncan Gabe Johnson
Chris Gissell Wilton Guerrero Brad Thompson Jason Motte
Nerio Rodriguez Brandon Berger Dan Moylan
Hector Mercado
2004 NRI made 25-man Veteran pitcher cut Veteran hitter cut Rookie pitcher cut Rookie hitter cut Extra catchers
Tony Womack Alan Benes Kevin Witt Matt Duff none Mike Mahoney
Ray Lankford Doug Creek Emil Brown Tyler Johnson Yadier Molina
Cody McKay Randy Flores Greg Vaughn Spike Lundberg Dan Moylan
Joe Horgan Wilson Delgado Matt Pagnozzi
Alan Levrault Scott Seabol
Chad Paronto John Mabry
Jason Pearson Mark Quinn
2003 NRI made 25-man Veteran pitcher cut Veteran hitter cut Rookie pitcher cut Rookie hitter cut Extra catchers
Cal Eldred Todd Erdos Kurt Abbott Juan Pena John Nelson Kevin Brown
Lance Painter Nerio Rodriguez Jose Nieves Kevin Ohme Mike Peeples Alex Delgado
Russ Springer John Snyder Ivanon Coffie Dan Moylan
Kiko Calero * Dan Serafini Jon Nunnally Luis Rodriguez
* 1st MLB action Todd Dunwoody Yadier Molina
Alex Ochoa
2002 NRI made 25-man Veteran pitcher cut Veteran hitter cut Rookie pitcher cut Rookie hitter cut Extra catchers
Eduardo Perez Rich Loiselle Al Martin Kevin Sheredy Ryan Balfe Matt Garrick
Gabe Molina Mike Coolbaugh Clint Weibl Stubby Clapp B.J. Wasgis
Travis Smith Wilson Delgado Chris Duncan Jamie Pogue
Chris Snopek Chris Haas
Ernie Young Tony Mota
Luis Saturria
2001 NRI made 25-man Veteran pitcher cut Veteran hitter cut Rookie pitcher cut Rookie hitter cut Extra catchers
John Mabry Dan Carlson Shane Andrews Bud Smith Stubby Clapp David Benham
Jeff Tabaka Mike Cather Bernard Gilkey Blake Williams Luis Garcia Mike Figga
Albert Pujols* Jim Corsi Kevin Polcovich Lou Lucca Matt Garrick
* 1st MLB action Rick Krivda Kerry Robinson Mike Stefanski
Rafael Medina
Heathcliff Slocumb
2000 NRI made 25-man Veteran pitcher cut Veteran hitter cut Rookie pitcher cut Rookie hitter cut Extra catchers
Shawon Dunston Jim Dougherty Brian McRae John Ambrose Lou Lucca David Benham
Dave Wainhouse Rick Heiserman Ernie Young Justin Brunette Chris Haas Steve Bieser
John Hudek Glenn Murray Chad Hutchinson Chris Richard Keith McDonald
Mike James Casey Candaele Jason Woolf Henry Mercedes
Luis Garcia Luis Saturria Marc Ronan
Eduardo Perez
Rick Wilkins

It is worth noting that I perhaps should have split the rookies out even further. Their common thread is lack of significant MLB experience. Yet among the legitimate farmhands trying to work their way to the top is a hybrid, former pitcher turned rookie hitter Rick Ankiel (2007) as well as career minor league journeymen such as Tagg Bozied, who was also in camp that same spring.

Another interesting name for trivia lovers is that of Matt Pagnozzi, nephew of beloved former Cardinals catcher Tom Pagnozzi (in St. Louis from 1987 through 1998). The younger catcher may have set a record of his own when he was passed over for three seasons between his initial invite in 2004 and his next chance in 2008.

With his current invite, Pags the junior has snagged his second in a row and third overall. That must have excited Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch who mentioned him as one of three catching candidates to make the big league roster should Yadier Molina or Jason LaRue require time on the DL. That seems overly-optimistic for a career .208 hitter over six minor league seasons.