Cardinals Pitching: There Is Some Good Under The Hood
The phrase “you are what your record says you are” also goes for statistics. In other words, you are what your statistics say you are. The St. Louis Cardinals’ team ERA was 4.26, landing them at 20th in the 30-team Major Leagues. Their WHIP, 1.36, put them in a three-way tie for 23rd best.
However, under the hood, I see some good. During the 162, St. Louis featured two starting pitchers who could be the next Chris Carpenter – Adam Wainwright duo and two other starters who might be fashioned as the Jeff Suppan's or Joel Piniero’s of this era.
Other considerations this off-season are a reliever with a buyout and a high-leverage pitcher who wants to work out in a manner to better handle the rigors of a 162-game season. Bullpen arms, as you know, come and go, but I won’t go any further on that thought; let’s dig in!
Andre Pallante SP: Has to prove his success this year wasn’t a fluke.
Brycen Mautz SP: In the conversation for a spot in the starting rotation.
Cade Winquest RP: Can take him or leave him.
Cooper Hjerpe SP/RP: In the conversation for a spot in the starting rotation.
George Soriano: RP: Can take him or leave him.
Gordon Graceffo RP: Solid arm, a keeper. Does he become a starter? I can see that possibility based on usage this season.
Hancel Rincon RP: Give him a shot at breaking camp with St. Louis next Spring.
Hunter Dobbins RP/SP: Dobbins had TJ Surgery (elbow reconstruction) and will be out at least until September 2027. Otherwise, he would have been in the conversation for a spot in the starting rotation.
Justin Bruihl RP: He got better as the season went along. Still, I can take him or leave him.
Kyle Leahy SP: Has to prove his success this year wasn’t a fluke.
Luis Gastelum RP: Give him a shot at breaking camp with St. Louis next Spring. He needs to cut down on the long ball.
Matt Svanson RP: Can take him or leave him.
Matthew Liberatore SP: The front office should tell him to prepare as a starter, but hush-hush that they really want him in the ‘pen.
Max Rajcic RP: Had TJ Surgery (elbow reconstruction) and will be out all of 2027.
Michael McGreevy SP: I see him being at the Chris Carpenter/Adam Wainwright level.
Quinn Mathews SP: I see him at the Chris Carpenter/Adam Wainwright level.
Richard Fitts RP/SP: Season canceled due to surgery for a severe right latissimus dorsi strain. (A strain is a tear.) Fitts is expected back for the start of 2027. He is a candidate for a spot in the rotation.
Riley O'Brien RP: Can take him or leave him. The way Oliver Marmol spoke of O’Brien during his late-season struggles, I believe he is back as the closer next season. O'Brien intends to add muscle and strength to avoid the fatigue he felt as the season wore on. He is a decent pitcher, but is he a playoff-caliber closer? O'Brien might be better suited for middle relief/set up duties.
Ryan Fernandez RP: Can take him or leave him.
Ryne Stanek RP: He has a buyout; I’ve read that he’d like to stay, and the organization is amenable to that. If I am the Cardinals president of baseball operations, I exercise the buyout.
Tekoah Roby SP: He is a keeper for at least one more year to see if he can shake the injury bug.
Charles I. Guarria is an author, blogger, reporter and former streaming host based in the state of Florida, USA, covering any topic, anywhere in the world. His career began in 2009. Mr. Guarria is a three-time winner of Emerald Group Publishing’s Highly Commended Award and is available for hire to write, research, or beta-read.
Photos and Image: Google AI, Jay Anthony, MLB, MLB Trade Rumors
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