Several of the Cardinals’ top prospects were re-assigned to minor league camp Sunday
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Video Transcript
Hey, everyone.
Hey, everyone.
Tanner Kovach here with the Roundtable Sports for a quick St. Louis Cardinals update.
Tanner Kovach here with the Roundtable Sports for a quick St. Louis Cardinals update.
So the opening day roster is starting to become, more and more clear for the Cardinals with just 11 days left until they open the season against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 26th.
So the opening day roster is starting to become, more and more clear for the Cardinals with just 11 days left until they open the season against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 26th.
On Sunday, March 15th, the Cardinals made their latest round of roster moves.
On Sunday, March 15th, the Cardinals made their latest round of roster moves.
the Cardinals, reassigned right-handed pitcher, Luis Castellum, right-handed pitcher Gerson Moreno, left-handed pitcher Packy Naughton, outfielder Matt Koperniak, infielder Blaise Jordan, and infielder Jeremy Rivas to minor league camp, and optioned right-handed pitcher Ryan Fernandez to the AAA Memphis Redbirds, which leaves the Cardinals’ 40-man roster for spring at 36 players.
the Cardinals, reassigned right-handed pitcher, Luis Castellum, right-handed pitcher Gerson Moreno, left-handed pitcher Packy Naughton, outfielder Matt Koperniak, infielder Blaise Jordan, and infielder Jeremy Rivas to minor league camp, and optioned right-handed pitcher Ryan Fernandez to the AAA Memphis Redbirds, which leaves the Cardinals’ 40-man roster for spring at 36 players.
Now, both Castellum and Jordan are top 30 prospects within the Cardinals organization, according to MLB Pipeline.
Now, both Castellum and Jordan are top 30 prospects within the Cardinals organization, according to MLB Pipeline.
Castellum’s ranked as the 22nd best prospect, and Jordan is the 27th best.
Castellum’s ranked as the 22nd best prospect, and Jordan is the 27th best.
Jordan was a former, high-round draft pick.
Jordan was a former, high-round draft pick.
He was picked in the third round of the 2020 draft by the Boston Red Sox out of high school.
He was picked in the third round of the 2020 draft by the Boston Red Sox out of high school.
was acquired by St. Louis, in a trade with Boston at, last season’s deadline on July 31st.
was acquired by St. Louis, in a trade with Boston at, last season’s deadline on July 31st.
he, in, 17 Grapefruit League games this year, he slashed 118, 189, 235 with a 424 OPS, hit a double and a home run, with two RBIs.
he, in, 17 Grapefruit League games this year, he slashed 118, 189, 235 with a 424 OPS, hit a double and a home run, with two RBIs.
he also played 41 games last year with the Redbirds after he was acquired in the trade, slashed 198, 242, 366 with a 608 OPS, six doubles, a triple and seven homers with 37 RBIs.
he also played 41 games last year with the Redbirds after he was acquired in the trade, slashed 198, 242, 366 with a 608 OPS, six doubles, a triple and seven homers with 37 RBIs.
And as for Castellum, still relatively new in the Cardinals organization, was signed as an international free agent out of Mexico on April 26th, 2023. this year was his second spring with St. Louis.
And as for Castellum, still relatively new in the Cardinals organization, was signed as an international free agent out of Mexico on April 26th, 2023. this year was his second spring with St. Louis.
The 24-year-old righty struck out two batters in two innings pitched across a pair of appearances and didn’t issue a free base or allow a hit.
The 24-year-old righty struck out two batters in two innings pitched across a pair of appearances and didn’t issue a free base or allow a hit.
Castellum, was unable to build off that solid spring, at least with the Cardinals.
Castellum, was unable to build off that solid spring, at least with the Cardinals.
He competed for Mexico in this year’s World Baseball Classic, made two outings that com– that, made– pitched one inning, across two outings, allowed one hit, didn’t issue a free batter, and struck out one.
He competed for Mexico in this year’s World Baseball Classic, made two outings that com– that, made– pitched one inning, across two outings, allowed one hit, didn’t issue a free batter, and struck out one.
he spent all of last year with the AA Springfield Cardinals, had a 4.02 ERA and struck out 92 hitters in 62.2 innings pitched across 46 outings.
he spent all of last year with the AA Springfield Cardinals, had a 4.02 ERA and struck out 92 hitters in 62.2 innings pitched across 46 outings.
Now, obviously, with the Cardinals kind of in rebuild mode, a lot of, end of roster spots on the bullpen and the bench were available for a variety of players, which would have been Jordan and Castellum’s best shots at making the Major League roster respectively.
Now, obviously, with the Cardinals kind of in rebuild mode, a lot of, end of roster spots on the bullpen and the bench were available for a variety of players, which would have been Jordan and Castellum’s best shots at making the Major League roster respectively.
currently, FanGraphs projects catcher/first baseman Yoel Pozo, infielder Ramon Urias, utility player Jos Fermn, and outfielder Nelson Velzquez to comprise the bench on opening day.
currently, FanGraphs projects catcher/first baseman Yoel Pozo, infielder Ramon Urias, utility player Jos Fermn, and outfielder Nelson Velzquez to comprise the bench on opening day.
And, the same website predicts, Gordon Graceffo, who’s currently competi-competing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, to be the team’s, long relief, reliever, which would have likely been the role for Castellum based on, based on his, innings to appearances ratio.
And, the same website predicts, Gordon Graceffo, who’s currently competi-competing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, to be the team’s, long relief, reliever, which would have likely been the role for Castellum based on, based on his, innings to appearances ratio.
But still two players to keep an eye on, this, this, this season.
But still two players to keep an eye on, this, this, this season.
And obviously, with the Cardinals being in the position they’re in and, you know, obviously with injuries being a part of every team, every single season, there is a very good chance that those two still can find a way to, make some kind of impact or some kind of appearance on the Major League roster this season.
And obviously, with the Cardinals being in the position they’re in and, you know, obviously with injuries being a part of every team, every single season, there is a very good chance that those two still can find a way to, make some kind of impact or some kind of appearance on the Major League roster this season.
For more St. Louis Cardinals news and updates, make sure to follow me on social media at Turner_Kovach, and also join our Cardinals Roundtable page by scanning the QR code there at the top left of the screen.
For more St. Louis Cardinals news and updates, make sure to follow me on social media at Turner_Kovach, and also join our Cardinals Roundtable page by scanning the QR code there at the top left of the screen.