Potential Cardinals relief pitcher primed for a promising season's surge

Revamped Rant on the St. Louis Cardinals' Bullpen Woes

Yo there! The St. Louis Cardinals are in a pickle, my buddy. Their bullpen ranks a dismal 26th in MLB with an ERA of 4.80, a 1.37 WHIP, and 51 earned runs. The squad's hanging in there thanks to the stellar performances of Kyle Leahy and Phil Maton. The rest of the boys have been more like millstones around their necks, tanking games late in the inning.

Recently, some changes have been afoot with Ryan Fernandez and Chris Roycroft getting sent to Memphis to sort out their issues. But with most of the crew underperforming at the Major League level, it's high time for a shake-up in the bullpen.

Riley O'Brien: Ready to Shine in the Cards' Pen

Riley O'Brien is the next contender to show 'em what he's got in St. Louis. O'Brien was tipped as a potential opening-day roster member but, after his lackluster 2024 season, the organization decided to kick off the 2025 campaign with him in Memphis. But hey, he's fixed his act since then. After seven innings pitched in Triple-A, O'Brien sports a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 14 Ks under his belt. Although he's got some consistency gremlins to smash, he boasts a unique strikeout arsenal the big leaguers are craving. A gander at his Baseball Savant page reveals this hidden glory. If he's recalled with his improved performance and high-end percentiles factored in, get ready to pop the corn!

The Cards are in a sweet spot to make this move. The team's slipping in the NL Central race, but they're not out of the fight yet. They've still got a reason to stay competitive. If the organization's true to their word about providing runways for their young players, though, now's the time to put their words where their mouths are. The bullpen's got to keep spinning, and the next decent player's gotta step up. Riley O'Brien's raring to prove he's the man for the job.

The Lowdown on Riley O'Brien’s Performance

Over seven innings in Triple-A, O'Brien's posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, notching 14 Ks[3][4]. It's nothing earth-shattering; however, it shows potential, particularly given the Cardinals' desperate need for relief help.

Solving the Cardinals' Bullpen Dilemma

The Cards have been plagued by bullpen woes this season, ranking 25th in baseball with a 5.11 ERA[5]. O'Brien was called up from Triple-A Memphis on April 25 to help out but was sent back down on May 3 after a brief stint[1][2]. Despite his poor showing in the majors (11.25 ERA in eight appearances last year)[5], his recent Triple-A performance suggests he might offer some relief to the struggling bullpen if needed again. The fact that he's been striking out batters at the Triple-A level could mean he's got what it takes to help out.

All in all, though O'Brien could use a touch more consistency in both Triple-A and the majors, his performance in Memphis hints at his potential to contribute positively if given another opportunity in the majors.

The St. Louis Cardinals are in need of a change in their underperforming bullpen, and Riley O'Brien might be the key to solving their dilemma.
Riley O'Brien, currently in Triple-A, has shown potential with a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts in seven innings, making him a contender for the major leagues.
If the Cardinals are true to their word about providing opportunities for young players, now is the time to recall O'Brien to aid the struggling bullpen.
Although O'Brien needs improvement in his consistency, his impressive strikeout arsenal and the team's desperate need for relief help make him a factor to watch in the MLB.