Andre Pallante's rotation spot in jeopardy after rough 2025 and shaky spring
Andre Pallante's place in the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation is under threat after a difficult 2025 season and a shaky start to Spring Training. The right-hander, once a reliable starter, now faces stiff competition from younger pitchers vying for the same spot. His recent struggles have raised doubts about his role in 2026.
Pallante's decline became clear in the second half of 2025. After the All-Star break, he posted a 1-15 record with a 5.31 ERA across 31 starts—a sharp drop from his 3.78 ERA in 2024. His fastball grew easier to hit, and his overall command deteriorated as the season wore on.
This spring, the problems have continued. In his first outing on Monday, he surrendered three hard-hit balls (94 mph or harder) and two hits before settling down in his final inning. Data from Pitch Profiler's proStuff metric ranks his pitch quality as the fifth-worst in baseball this spring, with a below-average score under 100.
The Cardinals now have a surplus of young starters, including Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, Dustin May, and prospects like Quinn Matthews. Pallante is experimenting with a new kick-change pitch to boost his strikeout rate, but projections remain split. Some see him in the Opening Day rotation, while others expect him to shift to a swingman role—or lose his spot entirely to Richard Fitts or Hunter Dobbins.
Pallante's future with the Cardinals hinges on his ability to turn things around quickly. With multiple pitchers pushing for rotation spots, his performance in the remaining spring games will be crucial. The team's decision may come down to whether his adjustments—like the new kick-change—can deliver results.
