Talented hitters and pitchers on the verge of Major League debuts shine in the Cardinals' minor league ranks
With another week of Minor League action in the books, we're edging closer to May and larger sample sizes for evaluation. The upcoming weeks might just seal the fate of certain prospects earning well-deserved promotions as we approach the MLB Draft in June. Let's dive into how each of the St. Louis Cardinals' top 30 prospects fared in the organization last week.
1. JJ Wetherholt - 1 Game, 0-4, 1 BB
Wetherholt saw just one game for Double-A Springfield this past week due to a stomach ailment that kept him sidelined for over a week. Unsurprisingly, the 22-year-old was less productive at the plate after fighting off illness.
2. Quinn Mathews - 7-day IL
Mathews' last outing was on April 11th for Triple-A Memphis, where he was put on the 7-day IL with shoulder troubles.
3. Tink Hence - 60-day IL
Hence has yet to take the field in 2025 due to a right ribcage strain.
4. Jimmy Crooks - 5 Games, 4-20, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 7 K
Crooks showcased his power once again this week, belting a homer for Triple-A Memphis with a stunning exit velocity of 103.4 MPH. Despite only walking five times over 19 games this season, he managed to accrue two free passes in the last week.
5. Thomas Saggese - 2 Games, 0-6, 2 BB, 2 K
Saggese, still up with the big league club, only saw action in two games last week where he went hitless. He was optioned to Triple-A Memphis over the weekend.
6. Leonardo Bernal - 4 Games, 0-16, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K
Bernal had a rough week at the dish, going hitless across four games for Double-A Springfield.
7. Rainiel Rodriguez - Debut Pending
Rodriguez will make his season debut once the FCL season starts in May.
8. Yairo Padilla - Debut Pending
Like Rodriguez, Padilla will enter the 2025 season in May.
9. Chase Davis - 5 Games, 6-22, 1 2B, 1 SB, 1 BB, 8 K
Davis had a relatively quiet week for Double-A Springfield, as he only recorded one extra-base hit during the week. The former first-round pick is putting together a decent 2025 in his second year with Springfield.
10. Michael McGreevy - 2 Games, 9.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
McGreevy logged two starts for Triple-A Memphis last week, nabbing a win following his one-run performance on Tuesday. While he walked fewer batters in Tuesday's outing, he found trouble with walks in his Sunday appearance, limiting him to only 3.2 innings pitched.
11. Tekoah Roby - 1 Game, 5 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K
Roby delivered another scoreless start last week for Double-A Springfield, marking his third such performance this season. However, his outing was unusual, as he surrendered more walks than strikeouts.
12. Cooper Hjerpe - Full Season IL
Hjerpe underwent Tommy John surgery and will sit out the 2025 season.
13. Chen-Wei Lin - Debut Pending
Lin is currently on the 7-day IL and will report to High-A Peoria once he recovers.
14. Sem Robberse - 7-day IL
Robberse found his way onto the 7-day IL on April 22nd by Triple-A Memphis.
15. Brian Holiday - Debut Pending
The Cardinals' 2024 third-round pick will make his pro debut once the FCL starts in May.
16. Gordon Graceffo - 1 Game, 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Graceffo notched a win in his sole start last week for Triple-A Memphis, despite recording the fewest strikeouts in a single game this season.
17. Darlin Saladin - 2 Games, 7 IP, 14 H, 8 ER, 5 BB, 9 K
Saladin experienced a rough beginning on Tuesday, surrendering 10 hits and seven runs for High-A Peoria. However, he rebounded on Sunday, striking out six and giving up just one run over 4 innings.
18. Ryan Campos - 5 Games, 3-18, 1 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K
Campos had a more subdued week at the plate for High-A Peoria following a slow start to the 2025 season. Encouragingly, Campos has demonstrated impressive plate discipline with 14 walks over his 14 games.
19. Zack Showalter - 1.1 IP, 1.1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Showalter has yet to see substantial innings this year, logging just 1.1 innings of work last week for High-A Peoria. The right-hander has walked nine batters over his last 3.2 innings pitched, suggesting he is dealing with an issue.
20. Cesar Prieto - 5 Games, 5-18, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K
Prieto is putting together a solid offensive season for Triple-A Memphis and had another good week last week in Norfolk. Aiming for a good month-long stretch, Prieto could potentially earn a call-up to the MLB in 2025.
21. Nathan Church - 4 Games, 4-17, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K
Church, who began the year on the IL, made his return to Double-A Springfield last week and had a decent week. His confidence should be high after a successful stint in the Arizona Fall League last fall.
22. Matt Koperniak - 3 Games, 4-14, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K
A quiet week at Triple-A Memphis for Koperniak, who is trying to rebound from a sluggish start to the 2025 season.
23. Max Rajcic - 1 Game, 2.1 IP, 6 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Rajcic experienced his worst outing of the 2025 season for Double-A Springfield last week. The strikeout numbers have been low this season, pointing to this as an area for improvement.
24. Travis Honeyman - 3 Games, 4-12, 1 2B, 2 K
Honeyman began the year on the IL but has come alive for Low-A Palm Beach since being activated. The 23-year-old has recorded a hit in every game he has played in thus far and is carrying a 1.147 OPS.
25. Branneli Franco - Debut Pending
Franco will make his 2025 debut once the FCL season starts up in May.
26. Ian Bedell - 1 Game, 4 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Bedell had another rough start for Triple-A Memphis last week, as he struggled with walks during the outing.
27. Royelny Strop - Debut Pending
Strop is scheduled to make his 2025 debut once the FCL picks up in early May.
28. Zach Levenson - 5 Games, 2-19, 2 SB, 3 BB, 3 K
Levenson had a cold week at the plate, resulting in a .188 average for the season at High-A Peoria.
29. Michael Helman - 7-day IL
Helman was put on the 7-day IL on April 22nd.
30. Luis Gastelum - 2 Games, 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Gastelum has been impressive as of late for Double-A Springfield, as he has yet to walk a batter in his last four outings. He accumulated two more scoreless appearances last week.
Enrichment Data:Here's the latest information on the St. Louis Cardinals' top prospects as of early May 2025, from recent updates:
- Among the players to watch are JJ Wetherholt (SS), a Cardinals' No.1 prospect (unofficial ranking), and Tekoah Roby (RHP), considered a key MLB-ready arm.
- Jimmy Crooks (C) has caught the eye for his offensive contributions at Triple-A Memphis, though more details are needed.
- Chen-Wei Lin (RHP), a promising pitching prospect, is on the 7-day IL and will report to High-A Peoria once he returns.
- Cesar Prieto (OF) is putting up a solid offensive season for Triple-A Memphis and had another noteworthy week last week in Norfolk.
- Chase Davis (OF) and Brian Holiday (RHP), both recent selections, are expected to make their pro debuts once the FCL season commences in May.
- Quinn Mathews, a St. Louis Cardinals' prospect, is currently on the 7-day injured list due to shoulder troubles.
- The upcoming MLB Draft in June might determine whether Quinn Mathews, currently on the IL, gets a promotion.
- Mathews last appeared for Triple-A Memphis on April 11th before being sidelined.
- With many baseball prospects edging closer to promotions, Mathews' return from injury could prove crucial in his sports career.
