Six players the St. Louis Cardinals are keeping on the sidelines for the current season.
The Frustrating Start of the St. Louis Cardinals:
The St. Louis Cardinals are experiencing a bumpy beginning to the season, falling short of expectations following the return of their 83-win team from last year. While a triumphant start against the Minnesota Twins might've given fans hope, the Cardinals have been stumbling, especially on the road. With a dismal 2-11 record away from home and an overall record of 10-15, it seems a transition season could be on the horizon if the organization commits to a clear path.
There have been glimpses of promising hitting and strong pitching performances from the team, but these great moments are often sabotaged by a lack of synchronization. When the team excels at hitting, they often squander leads, and when they pitch well, they fail to capitalize on scoring opportunities. This leaves fans and analysts alike feeling frustrated.
Holding Back Talent: A Troubling Trend
Thomas Saggese
Utility infielder Thomas Saggese was called up to the big league club when Masyn Winn was sidelined with a temporary back injury and was expected to fill in as depth at third, short, and second base. He was making progress in four games with Memphis, but it was widely believed that if he was called up, he should be given regular playing time. So far, he's appeared in 12 games, including three against the Mets, but didn't see a minute of action in the Braves series.
This wasn't entirely unexpected, as Masyn Winn's return from the injured list and the continued playing time given to Nolan Gorman and the injured Brendan Donovan meant reduced opportunities for Saggese. Yet, it remains disheartening. Saggese currently enjoys a four-game hitting streak, with six hits, four doubles, and two RBIs to his name. His versatility in playing multiple positions should have earned him at least one game in the Atlanta series, but the team opted for their usual alignment instead.
I propose that, moving forward, Saggese and Gorman should alternate playing time at infield and DH positions. The designated hitter position for the St. Louis Cardinals has thus far been underwhelming as a spot intended solely for offensive output. According to Bernie Miklasz's research, the main DHs for the Cardinals have combined for a grand total of ONE RBI! This includes Alec Burleson, Luken Baker, and Willson Contreras, who've received the majority of these opportunities.
In my research, I've discovered that Saggese performs better against right-handed pitchers, a crucial factor considering that Burleson has only posted an OPS against righties above .700 once in his career. Saggese, on the other hand, has consistently maintained a .700 OPS or better against righties throughout his career, even in his limited big-league playing time.
If the Cardinals were to move Saggese to a full-time DH role, they would probably need to clear the way for Alec Burleson, who may be sent to Memphis for short-term development. Despite the Cardinals showing some faith in Saggese by keeping him on the major league roster when Winn was activated from the injured list, his continued presence on the roster may have been due to Donovan's injured ribs rather than any commitment to his long-term future.
Enrichment Insights:- The Cardinals' decision to limit Saggese's playing time is driven by roster construction priorities and developmental considerations rather than a lack of faith in his potential.- The team prioritizes giving established starters consistent at-bats over providing Saggese with regular playing time, which might hinder his growth.- Saggese's lack of outfield experience and the team's preference for lefty bats further limit his DH opportunities.- The organization views Saggese as a future everyday player and wants him to develop his skills on a daily basis in Triple-A Memphis rather than experiencing minimal playing time in the majors.- Jose Barrero, a versatile player with MLB readiness, was brought up to add depth to the middle infield, making it less beneficial for the Cardinals to disrupt long-term plans for Saggese.
- The St. Louis Cardinals, despite showing promise in individual performances, have been underwhelmed by their overall performance, especially on the road, with a record of 2-11 away from home and 10-15 overall, hinting at a possible transition season.
- Utility infielder Thomas Saggese, who has remained on the major league roster despite limited playing time, performs better against right-handed pitchers, posing a potential advantage at the designated hitter position, which has been disappointing for the Cardinals so far.
- The Cardinals' decision to limit Saggese's playing time seems driven by roster construction, developmental considerations, and a preference for lefty bats, which may restrict his growth and opportunities in the majors.
- To better capitalize on Saggese's potential and address the underperforming designated hitter position, the Cardinals might consider alignment adjustments, such as alternating Saggese and Gorman at infield and DH positions, with the possibility of sending Alec Burleson to Triple-A Memphis for short-term development.
