Four Cardinals who weren't initially included in the Opening Day squad but will be recalled for the 2025 Major League season.
When the damn St. Louis Cardinals unveiled their 26-man roster for Opening Day in 2025, there was a wave of shock and awe.
Victor Scott II seized his starting spot with a scorching spring, but the inclusion of Michael Siani left fans feeling flat and discombobulated. Both players share speed, southpaw swagger, and top-notch defense, with Scott boasting a higher offensive potential and Siani boasting better defense.
The absence of a back-up shortstop left fans scratching their heads too. Now, utility man Brendan Donovan is hitting the workout mat to add another glove to his quiver, so to speak. The squad expects Masyn Winn to log as many games as possible at shortstop in just his second full season at the big leagues.
Steven Matz taking the role of a swingman in the rotation was a welcome surprise. The team typically prefers their high-priced vets, but this time, John Mozeliak and Oliver Marmol rolled the dice for young talent in Matthew Liberatore. However, the decision to place Liberatore in the rotation left out another young pitcher making waves.
All these surprise moves left a handful of players on the sidelines in the minor leagues, waiting for their turn to shine in the majors. An injury, a trade, or subpar performance opens the door for these overlooked players.
Here are the 4 players who just missed the mark on Opening Day for the St. Louis Cardinals, but they'll still see plenty of action in the majors this year.
OF Matt Koperniak
Matt Koperniak wasn't exactly on everyone's radar before Spring Training. He's a 27-year-old outfielder who packs a wallop, sports a glove you can rely on at any spot, and boasts a sound walk-to-strikeout ratio. Koperniak has been a steady performer in the minors, consistently posting positive offensive numbers.
He upped his game during the spring training trials.
In 33 plate appearances, Koperniak smashed .355/.394/.645 with two home runs, three doubles, and six RBIs. He was one of the hottest hitters on the team during spring training.
Instead of receiving a well-deserved pat on the back for his performance, Koperniak was shipped off to the Triple-A Memphis squad towards the end of camp. This move left plenty of Cardinals fans scratching their heads, as Koperniak is on the club's 40-man roster. He could've simply bumped Michael Siani from the bench and given the Cardinals a more potent bench bat from the left side.
Assuming he keeps on hitting, Koperniak could find himself in the majors in short order. If Michael Siani or Jordan Walker struggle in the early going, he might get a promotion. If any position player goes down to injury, he'll likely get the call, especially if an outfielder goes down.
In the friendly exhibition game between the Cardinals and the Memphis Redbirds, Koperniak started as Memphis's designated hitter, and he knocked out four hits with a run against the higher-level squad. He managed to do that just a week after the Cardinals sent him down to Triple-A to start the year.
Brace yourselves, Cardinals fans, because Matt Koperniak is set to play in the majors this year.
- Matt Koperniak's performance during spring training trials was impressive, as he posted a batting average of .355 with two home runs and six RBIs in 33 plate appearances.
- Despite his strong showing, Koperniak was sent down to the Triple-A Memphis squad towards the end of spring training, leaving fans questioning the decision.
- Koperniak's offensive potential could see him in the majors in short order, especially if Michael Siani or Jordan Walker struggle or if an injury befalls a position player.
- Even after being sent down, Koperniak continued to impress in an exhibition game between the Cardinals and the Memphis Redbirds, knocking out four hits with a run against the higher-level squad.
