Cardinals corner infield prospect Blaze Jordan. (Memphis Cardinals)
The St. Louis Cardinals opted not to add former Red Sox slugging prospect Blaze Jordan to their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft deadline—a decision that now places the 22-year-old corner infielder squarely in the crosshairs of rival clubs.
Boston traded Jordan at last summer’s deadline for left-hander Steven Matz. Across 129 games in 2024—split between Double-A Portland, Triple-A Worcester, and Triple-A Memphis—Jordan hit .270/.331/.450 with 19 homers, 28 doubles, two triples, and a .781 OPS. But after arriving in Memphis, he managed just a .198 average in 41 games, raising questions about his readiness for major-league pitching.
The Cardinals’ choice to leave Jordan unprotected is a calculated gamble for a club seeking roster flexibility. With teams around the league searching for young, controllable talent, power-hitting prospects often draw attention in the Rule 5 Draft. Any club selecting Jordan would be required to keep him on its major-league roster for the full season, a challenge for a hitter still refining his defensive profile but an appealing upside play for a rebuilding team.
St. Louis instead chose to protect four other prospects: catcher Leonardo Bernal (No. 4 in the system per MLB Pipeline), outfielder Joshua Baez (No. 11), and left-handers Cooper Hjerpe (No. 13) and Brycen Mautz (No. 21).
For Red Sox fans, Jordan’s name still carries weight—and a tinge of unrealized potential. A viral sensation as a high school slugger capable of launching 480-foot showcases, Jordan joined the organization as a third-round pick expected to grow into a middle-of-the-order anchor. He progressed steadily but didn’t reach Triple A until 2024 and found himself blocked by others on Boston’s 40-man roster, prompting last summer’s trade.
Milwaukee Milkmen infielder Parker Lester is not taking anything for granted in the Independent LeagueJordan now enters the unpredictable terrain of the Rule 5 Draft, where clubs weigh roster space against raw talent in a single afternoon. His combination of youth and power ensures he’ll draw interest.
In a separate move, the Cardinals designated former Red Sox reliever Jorge Alcala for assignment. Alcala posted a 6.22 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over 55 innings with the Twins, Red Sox, and Cardinals in 2024. If he clears waivers, he can elect free agency and will likely seek a minor-league deal for 2026.