The St. Louis Cardinals' Pick of Michael McGreevy: A Cautiously Exciting Choice
Cardinals Grab Lead: McGreevy's 18th Plays Crucial Role in St. Louis Victory
When the St. Louis Cardinals decided to go with right-handed pitcher Michael McGreevy as their first pick in the 2021 draft, I found myself slightly underwhelmed. I had thought Ty Madden or Jordan Wicks would have been more suitable choices. However, after digging deeper into McGreevy's stats, I found my perception changing.
The Cardinals have a history of focusing on pitchers in their draft strategy, and this year was no exception. They prioritized a college player with a high floor, just as they usually do.
McGreevy, a 21-year-old pitcher from UC Santa Barbara, began his collegiate career in 2019 as a reliever, earning a First Team All-Big West award that year. The pandemic shortened his 2020 season, but he bounced back stronger in 2021.
McGreevy's 2021 stats were impressive, with an 8-1 record, a 2.94 ERA, and a striking K/BB ratio of 104 strikeouts to 10 walks in 88.2 innings. While his bullpen stats in 2019 weren't mind-blowing, he really started to shine in 2021, boosting his fastball speed and improving his secondary pitches.
McGreevy's greatest asset is his precision. But his true leap forward came in 2021, when he significantly improved his strikeout ability and increased his pitching arsenal.
Comparisons between McGreevy and Cleveland Indians ace Shane Bieber have been drawing attention. Both pitchers hail from the same college and display remarkable control. However, some analysts have knocked McGreevy a few notches due to his reliance on the sinker, a pitch that some sabermetrically inclined analysts are less fond of.
McGreevy isn't expected to be a high-strikeout pitcher throughout his career, but if the Cardinals can maintain a solid defense, he should be able to generate numerous ground balls, allowing the fielders to take care of the rest.
McGreevy seems to be an ideal fit for the Cardinals' roster, not just as a pitcher, but as a control-focused one. The Cardinals' controllability woes in 2021 have been well-documented, and while McGreevy won't be joining the majors immediately, he could make a valuable addition to the farm system with his exceptional control.
Obviously, McGreevy still has room to grow and develop before reaching his full potential. The Cardinals managed to strike a balance between addressing a pressing need and picking one of the best players available by selecting McGreevy. He has the build and the repertoire to become a long-term rotation member, and I'm eager to see how he progresses in the Cardinals' system.
Additional Insights
- Michael McGreevy's Career Statistics (as of April 2025):
- MLB Performance (2024 debut): 1.96 ERA in four appearances but did not secure a rotation spot due to veteran competition.
- MiLB Performance (2025 Triple-A): 4.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 25 strikeouts and 7 walks in 28.2 innings.
- Michael McGreevy's Awards/Recognition: Midwest League Pitcher of the Month (April 2025), ranked top-15 in Cardinals prospects.
- Projected Future: Likely mid-rotation starter, with MLB.com noting he’s the "favorite to get the first call" for Cardinals’ rotation openings.
- Strengths: Command-oriented approach, proven adaptability in high minors.
- Concerns: Limited strikeout upside compared to elite prospects.
- The St. Louis Cardinals' pick, Michael McGreevy, showcased an impressive K/BB ratio of 104 strikeouts to 10 walks in 88.2 innings during the 2021 season.
- Similar to Cleveland Indians ace Shane Bieber, McGreevy, who hails from the same college, exhibits remarkable control.
- Although McGreevy isn't expected to be a high-strikeout pitcher throughout his career, with a solid defense, he could generate numerous ground balls, allowing fielders to take care of the rest.
- While McGreevy still has room to grow and develop before reaching his full potential, MiLB statistics show that he has adapted well in the higher minor leagues, positioning him as a likely mid-rotation starter.
