The Cardinals bolstered their future by adding four prospects—catcher Leonardo Bernal (No. 4), outfielder Joshua Baez (No. 11), and left-handed pitchers Cooper Hjerpe (No. 13) and Brycen Mautz (No. 21)—to their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft. Veteran reliever Jorge Alcala was designated for assignment to make room, while promising players like Blaze Jordan and Pete Hansen were left unprotected. The moves highlight the team’s intent to build around emerging talent in their Minor League system.
By the NumbersLeonardo Bernal threw out 27 of 69 attempted base stealers and hit 13 home runs in 107 games.Joshua Baez hit 20 home runs and stole 54 bases in 117 Minor League games.Brycen Mautz recorded an 8-3 record with a 2.98 ERA and 134 strikeouts over 114 2/3 innings. Yes, But
Leaving players like Blaze Jordan and Pete Hansen unprotected raises concerns about the depth and decision-making within the Cardinals’ scouting and development areas, indicating potential flaws in player evaluation.
State of PlayThe Cardinals are actively reshaping their roster, focusing on the next generation of talent.Four promising prospects were added while veteran presence is minimized, emphasizing a youth-driven approach. What’s Next
As the Rule 5 Draft approaches, the organization may brace for potential losses of unprotected players like Jordan and Hansen, further impacting their roster depth. Future prospects will need to step up as the team’s core consists increasingly of youthful talent.
Bottom Line
The Cardinals are prioritizing a fresh talent pipeline by committing to their top minor league players, balancing the risk of losing promising prospects while shaping a competitive future.