Young Guns and Old Guard: The Infield Dilemma at St. Louis Cardinals
Potential Player Omitted in Cardinals' Youth-Focused Roster Shuffle: Thomas Saggese
In a rather unexpected turn of events, Thomas Saggese, one of the Cardinals' top prospects, found himself in the big leagues just before the team's showdown against the Boston Red Sox. The promotion was a boon for Saggese as he stepped up to fill in for the injured Nolan Gorman, who landed on the 10-day Injured List.
Marty: Listen up, folks! Saggese is moving mountains right now. With an impressive .455/.435/.636 batting average, he's showing the guys what it means to be a Cardinal! 🏆
According to MLB Pipeline, Saggese, a utility infielder, ranks fifth among the Cardinals' prospects thanks to his formidable bat and his versatility across the infield positions, including third base, second base, and shortstop.
Saggese joined the Cardinals' family when they traded Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton to the Texas Rangers for him in 2023. He went on to deliver one of the best stretches of his career with the Springfield Cardinals, which earned him the Texas League MVP trophy courtesy of his .331/.403/.662 slash line.
Last season, despite a dip in performance (.751 OPS), Saggese still managed to crush 23 doubles and 20 home runs in 125 games in Triple-A Memphis.
Spring training saw Saggese post a .267/.333/.400 line in 30 at-bats across 13 games. The Cardinals sent him to Triple-A Memphis to begin the year, but his .875 OPS in only four games there paints a promising picture.
The future, however, may be a tad challenging for Saggese.
With Nolan Arenado at third, Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan at second base, and Masyn Winn at shortstop, Saggese might find himself blocked at the major league level. The Cardinals have made it clear that Masyn Winn will be given every opportunity to play every day at shortstop this year, and their intention to prioritize Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan's playing time doesn't bode well for Saggese.
Behind Saggese on the depth chart lies JJ Wetherholt, a top prospect and the 2024 first-round draftee.
The organization has high hopes for Wetherholt, and with good reason. Just like Saggese, he's a versatile infielder who showcased his offensive prowess in his rookie season, slashing .295/.405/.400 with 16 walks and 15 strikeouts in 105 at-bats at Low-A Palm Beach.
With rivals gunning for the roster spots and both Saggese and Wetherholt posing a threat with their bat-to-ball skills and versatility, the infield landscape at St. Louis is looking crowded.
The looming question is: will Saggese's versatility and impressive debut performance be enough to secure him a spot in this competitive lineup? Or will he find himself on the trading block as the Cardinals chase pitching reinforcements? Only time will tell...
Marty: Folks, get ready for a thrilling season! This young blood is making waves, but will he be able to hang on to his spot amidst all this infield chaos? Stay tuned, cardinal fans. 🔥🐦
- Though initially sent to Triple-A Memphis at the start of the year, Thomas Saggese's .875 OPS in just four games there indicates a promising future.
- As a utility infielder, Saggese ranks fifth among the Cardinals' prospects, showcasing his formidable bat and versatility across third base, second base, and shortstop positions.
- Despite the crowded infield landscape, with Nolan Arenado at third, Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan at second base, and Masyn Winn at shortstop, Saggese's impressive debut performance raises questions aboutwhether his versatility will be enough to secure him a spot in the competitive lineup.
- With JJ Wetherholt, a top prospect and the 2024 first-round draftee, lying behind him on the depth chart, Saggese may face competition from his fellow versatile infielder, who showcased impressive offensive skills in his rookie season.
