MLB rosters expand on September 1, opening the door for some minor league players to make an impact for the Cardinals down the stretch. While the St. Louis Cardinals addressed some of their offensive needs at the Trade Deadline, there is still room for several minor leaguers to contribute to the team’s playoff run.
Three Cardinals Minor Leaguers to Keep an Eye On
Luken Baker has hit back-to-back 30 home run seasons with the Cardinal’s Triple-A affiliate Memphis Redbirds. Baker has hit 85 home runs with the Redbirds, surpassing the franchise record of 75 this season. The first baseman is slashing .234/.343/.544 with an OPS of .887 this season.
Luken Baker’s 31st @HueysRestaurant home run of the season!
We lead! pic.twitter.com/BkjKATRqwQ
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) August 11, 2024
Baker played 33 games with the Cardinals last season. He slashed .209/.313/.314 with two home runs and 31 strikeouts. In late June, Baker told Memphis television station ABC 24 that he wasn’t happy with how his first MLB stint went.
“It was a tough transition and it was the first time in my life I had really not played baseball,” Baker said. “I think I let that get in my head a little bit. Trying to do too much and prove that I’m supposed to be there.”
The 27-year-old is on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster. Baker bats from the right. The Cardinals’ right-handed bats have struggled in 2024 so far, which is a large reason the team traded for outfielder Tommy Pham at the deadline. Baker appears to be a tempting option for the Cardinals as a righty with power off the bench down the stretch.
Cardinals No. 4 Prospect Ready For MLB Debut
The Cardinals traded for infielder Thomas Saggese at the 2023 trade deadline from the Texas Rangers. He was part of the return for Jordan Montgomery. Saggese is the No. 4 prospect in the Cardinals organization. He is the second highest-rated position player in the organization behind recent call-up Victor Scott III.
The 22-year-old Saggese is on a tear at the moment. He was the Cardinals minor leaguer of the month in July with a .349/.400/.590 slash line and four home runs. Throughout the season, Saggese has slashed .251/.311/.521 with an OPS of .732. He’s tacked on 14 home runs and nine stolen bases.
@Cardinals have named Thomas Saggese Minor League Player of the Month!
Saggese slashed .349/.400/.590 with standout stats across the board, including a season-high four-hit game and a walk-off HR.
Rated as the 5th best prospect in the organization, Saggese is killing it! pic.twitter.com/T9PIVkkcP5
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) August 6, 2024
Saggese is not currently on the Cardinal’s 40-man roster. However, he is another right-handed bat that could contribute to the Cardinals in the season’s final weeks.
Another Chance For Fermin?
Jose Fermin has spent time in Memphis and St. Louis this season. The infielder has a .320/.432/.509 slash line with a whopping .941 OPS. Fermin had two stints in the Big Leagues in 2024, playing 30 games. He struggled in that time, batting for a .130 average and sporting a .390 OPS.
In 2023, Fermin bounced between the Redbirds and the Cardinals. In all, he’s played 97 MLB games. He’s batted for a .186 average in those games with a .498 OPS.
Fermin was last sent down to the minors on July 8 when outfielder Lars Nootbaar was activated off the IL. Fermin is another right-handed bat, something the Cardinals could use off the bench. He is also on the 40-man roster. If Fermin gets another chance in 2024, he hopes to perform better than earlier this season.
Main Photo Credits: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
