St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training Wrap-Up

With the 2019 Spring Training season over and done with, and the MLB regular season a few games in, I’m going to take a look back at the Cardinals prospects and how they fared over the spring. Some players had an exceptional spring, while others didn’t fair very well. Three of the prospects from my Top 50 list cracked the Opening Day roster, which didn’t come as a huge surprise. Tyler O’Neill and Alex Reyes were pretty much on the team already in some sort of role. Dakota Hudson snatched up a rotation spot by having a stellar spring. Hudson was easily the best prospect pitcher this spring and absolutely deserved a spot. I’m looking forward to seeing how his year will pan out and see if he can continue his success in 2019. With that said, here’s a list of several other prospects and how they did in Spring Training 2019.

Nolan Gorman
10 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 HR, 1 BB, .100 AVG, .582 OPS

While Gorman wasn’t expected to be a part of Spring Training, he got his shot. Gorman found out he was in the lineup for the March 16th game against Washington through the Cardinals Twitter page. Gorman ended up striking out 3 times, twice by the three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. While getting a hit off Scherzer is easier said then done, Gorman moved passed the strikeouts and kept his mind in the game. In the 7th inning, Gorman launched a no doubter off of Kyle Barraclough to right field. While that was his only real bright spot in the spring, it was one to remember. Remember, Gorman is still only 18 years old.

Tommy Edman
45 AB, 7 R, 15 H, 3 2B, 3B, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 4 BB, .333 AVG, .903 OPS

Edman had an excellent Spring Training. Edman stayed right until the end of Spring Training, and fully deserved to. He was one of the best infielders the Cardinals had all spring. Although he will start the year in AAA, Edman will be a top option to get called up if he’s needed. With Edman being in AAA, he will get to play everyday at either shortstop or 2B. The Cardinals are also planning to give him some time a 3rd as well. Keeping him in the lineup will be a priority.

Andrew Knizner
28 AB, 5 R, 8 H, 3 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 1 BB, .286 AVG, .810 OPS

The #10 ranked catching prospect was solid all spring. He had a real shot at being the backup to Yadier Molina, but that all fell apart when the Cardinals signed Matt Wieters. So for now Knizner will begin in AAA and get regular at bats. Look for Knizner to be behind the plate sometime this year for the Cardinals.

Randy Arozarena
26 AB, 6 R, 9 H, 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, SB, .346 AVG, .952 OPS

Arozarena torched Spring Training. With the Cardinals outfield full already, and Tyler O’Neill the 4th outfielder, it was already a challenge to break camp with the team. Although he has had some struggles in the past, maybe this spring has got him going. Arozarena will start the year in AAA.

Rangel Ravelo
45 AB, 2 R, 15 H, 3 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, .333 AVG, .834 OPS

Ravelo had a really good Spring Training, but an injury to his ribs all but sealed his fate of making the team out of camp. He was already a long shot for a reserve spot, and with Paul Goldschmidt signing a long term deal recently, a reserve spot is the highest he would ever get.

Ramon Urias
24 AB, 4 R, 7 H, 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .292 AVG, .820 OPS

Another great infield prospect for the Cardinals that had a great spring. With all the infield prospects the Cardinals have, it will be tough to crack a roster spot on this infield for many years. Urias will start the season in AAA.

Edmundo Sosa
17 AB, 3 R, 5 H, 3 2B, 3B, 1 RBI, BB, .294 AVG, .957 OPS

Sosa, like Tommy Edman, are in the top tier of infielders that are next in line to get called up. I like both Edman and Sosa a lot better than Max Schrock in the infield from a fantasy standpoint. But with Paul DeJong, and Kolten Wong manning the middle infield, the only way Edman or Sosa would be called up would be if there’s an injury.

Alex Reyes
8.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 8 K, 4.50 ERA

Reyes didn’t have an unreal Spring Training by any means, but coming back from injury that was to be expected. Reyes will be joining the Cardinals bullpen to start the season and I think that’s for the best. One day I’m sure Reyes will be back in the starting rotation, but for now the Cardinals are taking it slow with him.

Dakota Hudson
21.2 IP, 15 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 20 K, 1.25 ERA, 2 W

Hudson secured a starting rotation spot by having an outstanding Spring Training campaign. His minuscule 1.25 ERA in 21.2 innings, to go along with 20 strikeouts, was an easy decision in my mind to give him the spot. Hudson is projected to start his first major league game against the Milwaukee Brewers. With Hudson working on a changeup, and adding in a sharp cutting breaking pitch, with a curveball as well, he will keep hitters on their toes.

Genesis Cabrera
3.0 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 21.00 ERA, 1 L

I was really looking forward to seeing what Cabrera was going do coming into spring. There was an outside chance of him grabbing a bullpen spot. Everything went south for the hard throwing lefty. Out of all the pitching prospects at camp, he had to have the worst spring out of all of them. I still feel that he is one to watch, but after that showing this spring, not much can really be said.

While there were many other talented prospects that got into some Spring Training games, these prospects were the ones that stood out the most for me. I feel the Cardinals are set at all infield positions for many years with Gorman and Elehuris Montero at 3B, and Urias, Edman, Sosa manning the middle infield. It was a big stepping stone for the young Gorman, getting to face Max Scherzer and hitting a home run.