As the Cardinals wrap a road series vs. the Reds, fans will get their best looks at two recently promoted rookies in catcher Jimmy Crooks and infielder Cesar Prieto.
The two start Sunday at 11:10 a.m. (St. Louis time) as the Cardinals aim for the sweep in the series finale vs. the Reds in Cincinnati.
On Saturday, fellow rookie Michael McGreevy recorded another quality start as the Cardinals won 4-2.
Here’s what to know about Crooks and Prieto
Jimmy Crooks, what to know
A fourth-round pick in 2022, the catcher Crooks is the team’s No. 6 prospect, per MLB.com.
People are also reading…
Crooks, 24, a left-handed hitter, has a .778 on-base plus slugging percentage along with 14 homers and 79 RBIs in Triple-A Memphis this season.
He grew up looking up to Cardinals great Yadier Molina.
“But more or less growing up, I used to watch (Yadier Molina) all the time,” he said at the Cardinals’ Winter Warm-up. “I was a big Rangers fan, but I loved Yadi. I used to watch him catch, and I just loved it.”
Behind the plate, he rates as above-average in framing and defensively as a whole by Baseball America.
Cesar Prieto, what to know
Acquired from the Orioles in the Jack Flaherty trade in 2023, Prieto, 26, was originally signed by Baltimore as an international free agent after he defected from Cuba.
The left-handed hitter has an .807 OPS at Memphis this season with 29 doubles (fourth-best in the International League) and 62 RBIs.
Defensively, Prieto, who throws with his right arm, made a strong impression for how he improved during spring camp. Manager Oliver Marmol told Derrick Goold that the reports from Memphis indicated continued defensive strides.
“Probably the most improved player down there,” Marmol said Friday.
At Memphis, Prieto split time between shortstop and third base while also seeing significant innings at second base.
Starting pitchers: The Cardinals will start struggling righty Andre Pallante (6-12, 5.44 ERA), who gave up eight runs, seven of them earned, last time out. The Reds will send out righty Brady Singer (11-9, 4.06 ERA).
Records: The Cardinals are 68-69. The Reds are 68-68. A win Sunday vaults the Cardinals past the Reds in the wild-card race.
How to watch Cardinals at Reds
Where: Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (live stream link); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the Cardinals Radio Network as well as MLB.tv.
Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.
Lineups
Injury report
John King, LHP (mid-back strain): King’s back injury is believed to be related to the left oblique strain that landed him on the IL near the end of July and kept him sidelined through the first three weeks of August. King tried throwing before Tuesday’s game and felt discomfort and underwent imaging. A timeline for his recovery could become clearer later this week, Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said, but King said he believes the injury wouldn’t sideline him through the rest of the season. Updated Aug. 28
Nolan Arenado, 3B (right shoulder strain): Arenado is set to return to St. Louis “over the next week” and be reevaluated by team doctors to determine the next steps in his recovery from a right shoulder strain. He has been going through fielding workouts with limited throwing in Jupiter, Florida. And he’s progressed to taking swings, throwing and going through baseball activities on back-to-back days. His timeline for rehab games and a return is likely to be set after team doctors evaluate him in St. Louis. Updated Aug. 30
Alec Burleson, 1B/OF (right wrist pain): Burleson went on the 10-day injured list Friday with persisting pain and inflammation in his right wrist. Burleson received an anti-inflammatory injection in the joint that was going to require at least 48 hours of inactivity, and the Cardinals did not want to play short through the coming week. Updated Aug. 29
Brendan Donovan, 2B (sprained toe/left groin): An injury sustained before the All-Star break persists and is likely contributing to soreness in his leg and groin, the infielder said recently. The Cardinals placed him on the 10-day injured list Aug. 18 retroactive to Aug. 15. He’s begun hitting off a tee, taken swings through soft toss, and reportedly felt progress in his groin. As of Wednesday, Donovan was continuing to make progress toward a point where he’s free of pain. There is no timetable for his injury recovery. Updated Aug. 27
Yohel Pozo, C (concussion protocols): Pozo took a foul ball off the helmet during Thursday’s game. He was able to finish the game, but on Friday he entered concussion protocols and went on the seven-day concussion IL. The Cardinals expect him to return after the week. Updated Aug. 30
Victor Scott II, CF (sprained left ankle): Scott started his rehab assignment Friday night with Class AA Springfield and went 0 for 3 as the S-Cards’ center fielder. He sprained his ankle Aug. 16 while trying to rob a home run from Aaron Judge. He could return as soon as Monday, when rosters expand to 28 players. Updated Aug. 30
Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain): Lefty starter remains on a throwing program in Jupiter, trying to overcome some setbacks as he increased the intensity of his throws through the course of the season. He’s visited St. Louis for evaluation to monitor if the injury worsens. Thompson has been sidelined since the start of March and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in early April. There is no timetable for his return to the mound. Updated Aug. 6
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!