Potential Pitchers to Fill Miles Mikolas's Spot in St. Louis Cardinals' Rotation
In the heart of the Major League Baseball season, the St. Louis Cardinals have found a reliable arm in Aaron Wilkerson. The 36-year-old right-handed pitcher signed a minor league deal with the team in mid-July, after opting out of his contract with the Cincinnati Reds.
Wilkerson's recent Triple-A performance includes a 4.17 ERA over 18 starts, 78 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.06 in 95 innings with Louisville and Memphis affiliates [1][3][4]. Although his major league experience is limited, having pitched in parts of 2017-2019 with the Milwaukee Brewers with a cumulative 6.88 ERA over 35.1 innings [1][2], his current performance suggests he could provide valuable depth for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals' rotation has been impacted by trades, with two of their pitchers (Erick Fedde and Steven Matz) moved, and their spots filled by other minor leaguers. If Miles Mikolas, another member of the rotation, is no longer with the team, Wilkerson could be promoted to take his spot [2][5].
While Wilkerson's veteran status and experience provide the Cardinals with immediate relief, their top pitching prospect, Quinn Mathews, represents a longer-term solution for the team’s rotation improvement. Mathews, who presumably offers more long-term potential and upside, is expected to be the future front-line pitcher [1][2].
Promoting Wilkerson instead of Mathews would provide Mathews more seasoning at the highest level of the minors. This approach allows the Cardinals to rely on Wilkerson as a stopgap solution while developing or integrating younger arms like Mathews to address their rotation needs [1][2][3][5].
In his latest start for the Memphis Redbirds, Wilkerson pitched five innings, struck out five, walked one, and did not allow a run. Through three starts with the Memphis Redbirds, Wilkerson has a 1.06 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 17 innings. He has a 7.2 K/9 ratio and a 1.8 BB/9 ratio this year [1][3].
Although Wilkerson has walked five batters, allowed two home runs (two solo shots, his only earned runs), and has a 0.941 WHIP, his consistency and experience make him a suitable replacement for Miles Mikolas for the final two months of the season [1][3].
The Cardinals' decision to sign Wilkerson was based on the assumption that he would provide depth if Erick Fedde, Miles Mikolas, and/or Steven Matz were dealt at the deadline. As the season progresses, Wilkerson's performance suggests that this decision could prove beneficial for the Cardinals [2].
Promoting Wilkerson would not be an earth-shattering move but a sign of improvement from a stale organization. For Wilkerson, it would be an opportunity to reestablish his career in the major leagues, and for the Cardinals, it would provide a reliable solution to their rotation needs [1].
Aaron Wilkerson's promising performance in minor league baseball could see him join the Major League Baseball's (MLB) St. Louis Cardinals, bolstering their rotation as they navigate the heart of the season. Despite his limited major league experience, Wilkerson's current performance indicates potential value for the Cardinals, especially considering the impact of trades on their pitching staff.
