When you look at the top end depth in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system, you will find players who should probably be at higher levels but will have to “wait their turn”. We really start to see that problem when we look at the projected roster of the Springfield Cardinals. There are several players listed below that could be on a Triple-A roster. This is also where more guessing occurs on my end. There are several players I had to leave off that could make this club.
Let’s first look at the projected starting rotation for Springfield:
Jonathan Cornelius
Kyle Hald
Mike Mayers
Kurt Heyer
Nick Petree
All five of these pitchers saw time at Double-A last year with a couple even getting a taste of Triple-A. Mike Mayers is the wild card for me as I originally had him slotted at Triple-A, but could not find a spot for him so I bumped him down to Springfield. If Mayers does start with Memphis, look for Silfredo Garcia to take his spot on the Springfield rotation. Kurt Heyer could also go a couple of ways. He could join the rotation or he could get a bullpen spot at either Springfield or Memphis.
Here is my projected bullpen for the Springfield Cardinals
Corey Baker
Seth Blair
Joe Donofrio
Ryan Sherriff
Chris Thomas
Chris Perry
Tyler Waldron
This was probably the toughest position group to predict on the Springfield roster. There are several other pitchers who could open the season in the Queen City. I left Jordan Swagerty and Lee Stoppelman off this list because they could stay back in Florida to rehab injuries, but both would probably be slotted here if they were fully healthy. I also left Logan Billbrough off this list as he struggled last season at Double-A and I could only pick 7 relievers. Thomas Lee, Dixon Llorens, Ronnie Shaban, and Iden Nazario are also relievers who have decent claims to start the season in Springfield. Don’t be surprised if there is attrition among the relieving corps near the end of spring. Of the seven I picked, either Chris Perry or Chris Thomas would slot in as closer, my guess being Perry. Waldron comes to the Cardinals as a Rule 5 pick up from Pittsburgh. Seth Blair is also a big question mark as the 26-year old should not be at this level. He could be a depth chart victim this spring.
Let’s take a look at my projected infield for Springfield
Michael Ohlman
Travis Tartamella/Alberto Rosario
Luke Voit
Jacob Wilson
Breyvic Valera
Alex Mejia
Patrick Wisdom
Matt Williams
The club could keep all three catchers as Ohlman can play first, but I don’t think they take up two roster spots with veteran catchers. Voit is the only one from this list who will be seeing Double-A for the first time as he had a strong second half for Palm Beach last year. If the club wanted to move Ohlman to first permanently due to the future catching log jam, Voit could start back in Palm Beach. Wilson, Valera, and Wisdom should all see Triple-A time this season at some. The club could also switch Wilson with Aledmys Diaz, who I had projected starting at Memphis.
The Springfield projected outfield was probably the easiest to project. Here it is:
Charlie Tilson
Starlin Rodriguez
Nick Martini
David Popkins
Anthony Garcia
Garcia is the only one of this group who will be seeing Springfield for the first time as he is coming off of a nice spring and a winter that saw him earn MVP of the Puerto Rican Winter League. Tilson and Garcia should be regulars in the Springfield lineup at center and right respectfully, with left field split between Martini/Popkins/Rodriguez. If Tommy Pham is unable to start the season in Memphis, it will be interesting to see who the club promotes in his spot as I don’t see any of these options as viable Triple-A players right now.
Oh boy, this was a tough roster to predict and they will get tougher as I hit Palm Beach and Peoria. Minor league Opening Day is next Thursday and we should start to see clarity in the minor league rosters by early next week.
Here are my other projected rosters
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