Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Cardinals Top Prospects Quinn Mathews, Tink Hence And Jimmy Crooks Take Home Major Awards

Starting point is 00:00:00 Some of the Cardinals' top prospects took home some big-time hardware. So are things really as bleak as fans make it seem? We'll talk about it on today's episode of Locked-on Cardinals. You are Locked-on Cardinals, your daily St. Louis Cardinals podcast, part of the Locked-on podcast network, your team every day. Hey there, Cardinals fans. I'm Jady Hafford and I'm a national radio sports anchor, born and raised in the Lou and a Lifetime Cardinals fan. And I'm your host for Locked-Octon Cardinals, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network,

Starting point is 00:00:34 covering your team every day. You can follow me on Twitter X at JD Sports Radio as well as the podcast at L0 underscore Cardinals. I want to thank those of you who make Locktown Cardinals for your first listen to every day. We're free and available wherever you get your podcast. You can also find us on YouTube. This is a show serving Cardinal Nation and giving the best fans in baseball all of the info about the birds on the bat. Today's episode brought to you by booking.com. Booking.com.

Starting point is 00:00:59 Booking. Yeah. The right stay can make you a fan of any city, even your baseball rivals. Book today on booking.com, the official accommodation partner of Major League Baseball. Get the booking.com app today. So the Cardinals pick up yet another victory. Another victory on Tuesday night in Colorado. They knock off the Rockies by a score of 7 to 3.

Starting point is 00:01:21 The team rallied back with a lot of the youthful members of this current roster leading the charge, which was really great to see. We're going to talk more about the night the Mason win and Michael McGreevy had a little bit later in today's episode. But I wanted to start today with some news about some guys who are not on this team, at least not yet, maybe next year, maybe the year after that. But if things go well, you might see a number of these guys in a cardinal uniform in 2025. And the two names that I want to bring up to really focus on here today is that of left-handed pitcher Quinn Matthews and catcher Jimmy Crooks. So let's start with Quinn Matthews.

Starting point is 00:02:04 Who, if you're an everydayer, you've heard me talk about Quinn Matthews before. You should be familiar with him. If not, he's a guy that has skyrocketed up baseball prospect rankings this year. And for good reason, he's just been absolutely electric since the beginning of the season. And his work did not go on notice. He ends up snagging baseball America's pitcher of the year award here in 2024. Fourth round draft pick out of Stanford in 2023. He's gone from A ball.

Starting point is 00:02:32 This is all in one season, by the way. A ball to high A, then a double A, then a triple A, all in one season. All in one season, not something that happens very often. Over the course of the year, he has compiled an 8-5 record. He's got a 2.76 ERA, 200 in two strikeouts over 143 in a third innings pitch. And he dominated at the first three levels that he was at here in 2024. Palm Beach, he makes six starts going three and one, 1.47 ERA, 52Ks. 30 and two-thirds innings. The whip at 0.8115, which is great because that means not only is he not giving up hits, but he's not walking people, right?

Starting point is 00:03:12 He's not just putting people on. At High A Peoria, you get seven starts. He goes three and one, 2.68 ERA, 58Ks and 43 and two-thirds innings. The whip actually goes down, 0.56. Ends up getting promoted to AA Springfield, which is where he ends up winning the pitcher of the year award for his performance at AA Springfield. makes nine starts goes two and one two point four one era 70 k's 52 and a third innings and a 0.955 whip so just at those three levels he goes a combined eight and three two point two seven er the opponents are hitting 165 against him strikes at a hundred and eighty hitters over a hundred and twenty six and two thirds innings you kidding me zero point eight five three whip the strikeouts per nine almost 13

Starting point is 00:04:03 game. Just bonkers. Bonkers stats right there. Now, things did get a little tougher for him when he got to AAA Memphis, four starts. He's 0 and 2, 6.480 RA. Opponents batting average goes up to 281 against them. He still strikes out people. 22 hitters in 16 and 2 thirds innings. That's a strikeouts per 9 of 11.9.9. Nothing to sneeze at, but the walks, the hits were up. The whip jumps to 1.920. But this is the toughest level of minor league ball that you it before you make it to the big leagues. What he did at those other levels, incredible, incredible. And perhaps, you know, I'm not going to come up with excuses of why things went a little bit tougher for him in Memphis, but, you know, maybe hit a little bit of a wall at this point

Starting point is 00:04:52 of the season. You know, his highest amount of games that he had started in a season while at Stanford was 19, and he's made 26 starts in 2024 in his first year. pro baseball through about 20 more innings as well than he ever had in one season at Stanford. So that could be a reason. It could be a little bit of fatigue. You know, he's been moving around going from different levels throughout the organization. So I'm going to cut him a little bit of slack that he didn't come up and just dominate AAA.

Starting point is 00:05:21 According to Daniel Guerrero at the SCL Today.com or St. Louis Post Dispatch as well, Matthews becomes the first Cardinals prospect to win this award and the first Cardinals prospect to win one of America's top year end honors since Rick Ankeel was baseball America's minor league player of the year back in 1999. The 200 strikeouts made Matthews the 10th player in Cardinals minor league history to reach 200 or more strikeouts and just the second minor league pitcher since 2011 to accomplish that feat. The last pitcher to reach 200 Ks in a season was right-hander Brandon Fought, who struck out 218 hitters during the 2022 season in the Arizona Diamondback system. and he is a part of their rotation right now as they continue to fight for a playoff spot in the National League. MLB Pipeline has got Matthews,

Starting point is 00:06:09 says they're number 80 overall prospect in baseball. I have a feeling that that is going to go up at some point, especially leading into 2025. But he may be 80 overall, which is counting pitchers and headers, but he's the number four rated left-handed pitcher in all of baseball. And number three in the Cardinal System behind this year's top pick, J.J. Weatherholt and right-handed pitcher, Team Kins, who we're going to talk about in a little bit as well. So the future, pretty bright, pretty bright for Matthews. And, you know, I'm sure when you talk about

Starting point is 00:06:42 what is his impact going to be on a Cardinals roster one day, that he's going to get an invite to spring training for 2025. And he's 23 right now. He'll be 24 next month. If he dominates in the spring, I'm not saying just do well because if he just does okay, depending on who's left on the roster, he's probably going to go start things off in Memphis. But if he dominates in the spring and comes out just tearing people up, I don't know how you don't have him up in part of your rotation sooner rather than later in 2025. Really, the one thing that, like I said, that would be holding him back is just a numbers game of what's available as far as the rotation goes. You know, as of right now, under contract, you've got Sunny Gray, Eric Fetty, Miles Michaelis, Stephen Matt, Andre Palante, Michael McGruevy, another guy we'll talk about a little bit later.

Starting point is 00:07:36 You've still got the options available for Gibson and Len. All of these people are already in the rotation. So let's pretend that there is no Gibson and Len. Let's say they don't pick up the options. They let them walk. You still got Gray, Fetty, Michaelis, Matt's, Palanté, and McGreevy, ready to start. So barring any trades, you know, there's a full house there, unless Matt's goes to the bullpen full time, which I suppose is a possibility. But do the Cardinal seem like a team that is going to pay $11 million for Matt's and then just ship them into the pen?

Starting point is 00:08:11 It seems like they'll give him a chance to start again. But the bottom line, his fan should be excited about Quinn Matthews. You should be. You should be excited about it. I know last time we had a pitcher like this in the system and we got excited about him, his name was Alex Reyes, and injuries destroyed his career, right? became an All-Star as a closer, but injuries destroyed him. There's always a risk, right? But don't let it hold you back.

Starting point is 00:08:34 Be excited about Quinn Matthews. Be excited about it. He's also up for the minor league baseball pitching prospect of the year. That award announcement will take place on the 30th. So there's a possibility that he wins even more hardware here in the very near future. The AA Springfield squad as a whole had a huge year. And at the top of the list of award winners was not only Quinn Matthew, but also catcher Jimmy Crooks and picture tink hence.

Starting point is 00:09:01 We're going to talk about them more next on Lockdown Cardinals. This episode of Lockton Cardinals is brought to you by booking.com. Booking.com booking dot yeah. Explore those U.S. cities you always secretly. I wanted to learn more about whether it's places like New York, Boston, Vegas, Miami, San Diego, L.A., Nashville, Kansas City. These are all great places. Some of my favorites in the U.S. to visit with hotels, bed and breakfast, vacation rentals, resorts, and so much more on booking.com,

Starting point is 00:09:33 you might find your perfect stay even in your baseball rival cities like Chicago, in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Colorado right now. It was a beautiful night in Colorado, right? Like I wish I had been there. San Francisco, one of the best ballparks in all of baseball. You can go visit them during the last series there. Booking.com delivers exactly the right U.S. stay for you. Booking.com can help you book a state that's close to your home teams or rival stadium.

Starting point is 00:09:58 no matter what team you're rooting for in this postseason of the people who will be remaining, booking.com can make you a fan of any U.S. city. From hotels that overlook stadiums to family-friendly resorts to keep bedded breakfast days, which I know the significant other would love. Booking.com is so many choices across the United States. It's the right stay, and it can make you a fan of any U.S. city. And booking.com will help you there. Even your baseball rival cities.

Starting point is 00:10:24 Booking.com. booking. that yeah. Hey NFL fans, you can start the season with a big return on Fandle, America's number one sports book. You know, sometimes you'll be watching a game and you can just kind of a sense a trend happening. You get what we call a hunch, right? And it's something that, you know, you're like, I'm kind of feeling this. I'm kind of feeling this. Perhaps some piece of information just became available. And you're like, ooh, maybe, just maybe I should take a look at that. Well, now you can check out the latest stats, view live play by play,

Starting point is 00:10:58 and so much more on the exact same page where you place your bets. Very convenient. Thursday night, tomorrow night has got the Cowboys at the Giants. Currently Fandall as Dallas as five and a half point favorites. They're one and two. They got shellacked by the Saints. They were getting crushed by Baltimore before they made that comeback.

Starting point is 00:11:16 They made it seem a little bit closer than that game really was. Could be a long night on the ground for the Giants running game. I shouldn't say a long night. It's a long night for the Cowboys, but a big night for the Giants running game. Singletary, I mean, the Cowboys are dead last in the NFL and rushing yards against. Maybe Daniel Jones and Singletary and company are able to keep it on the ground, chew that clock and pull out of victory.

Starting point is 00:11:38 Something I would look into. You'll get started with $200 in bonus bets. That's guaranteed, by the way, when you place your first $5 bet. That's $200 in bonus bets guaranteed when you place your first $5 bet at fandul.com. That's fandle. com. Thank you for making locks on Cardinals, your first listen today for your second list. and enjoy the Lockdown MLB podcast with our friend Sully,

Starting point is 00:12:06 who is here daily to provide national expertise with his trademark humor. Prepare for the fall classic with him every single day on Lockdown MLB available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcast. It's part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. So the Cardinals, catching wise, will have Wilson Contreras, Yvonne Herrera and Pedro Pahas as their top three guys, right? Going into 2025, barring any trades, which could happen.

Starting point is 00:12:34 So there's no real rush at the moment to bring another catcher up to the big leagues. And I say at this moment, because if one of those guys does get moved or the Cardinals end up moving on from, I mean, out of the three, who's got the most trade possibilities there? Probably Yvonne Herrera, right? Because he's a pretty good hitting catcher has looked good at the plate so far this year. The Cardinals clearly seem very comfortable with Pedro Pahas behind the plate and letting him hit. has had some big clutch hits this year. So maybe Yvonne Herrera is part of a package to go get other needs for the team in 2025.

Starting point is 00:13:11 I'm not saying it will happen, but I'm saying it could happen. And if it does, then the name of Jimmy Crooks would be the reason why the Cardinals would feel kind of comfortable doing that. Because Mr. Crooks just won himself the Texas League MVP award at AA Springfield. Yes, it is the same award that our buddy Thomas Sede. J.C. Mr. No batting gloves, Thomas and Jacey won last year. Crooks, like Quinn Matthews, is a former fourth round pick. They took him in 2022, so a year earlier than Matthews, took him out of Oklahoma, spent 2022 at A ball. 23, he was at High A Peoria, where he hit 271 with 12 dingers and 73 ribbies in 100 to 14 games, also played in the Arizona Fall League last that year as well.

Starting point is 00:13:57 Then this year, he's at AA Springfield, where he just, just lights it up. He goes off, guys, hitting 321, 11 home run, 62 RBIs in just 90s. 908 OPS let all class AA hitters who had a minimum of 350 plate appearances, set career highs and batting average, on base percentage of 410 and slugging percentage at 498. Cardinals could use some offense, right? It doesn't matter where it's coming from. Clearly, this guy can hit. But not only is he a good hitter. Guerrero also pointed out that he set a career high and caught stealing percentage at 24% this past season. Now, on baseball reference, I kind of was going through Crooks' stats.

Starting point is 00:14:44 They got them down as 33%. So I don't know where the discrepancy is there because that's a big deal, 24 to 33. The bottom line is, whichever number it is, it's still much better than what the Cardinals had behind the plate this year as far as throwing out runners. They have a miserable caught stealing percentage of just 16%. 16. That is ahead of only two other teams of Major League Baseball, the Rangers and the Pirates. It has been a huge problem, a huge problem.

Starting point is 00:15:16 And I'm not putting all the blame on the catchers because obviously as a pitcher, you have to be able to hold runners on. That's part of it. They've obviously made stealing bases easier this year. But my God, it's been a serious. issue. It's infuriating watching these guys get walks and then get a triple out of it. The Cardals have given up a league high 152 stolen bases this year. That's absurd. That's absurd.

Starting point is 00:15:43 They've only thrown out 28, just terrible. So they're going to have to work on something, whether it's, and Wilson Contreras obviously not being behind the plate for a lot of the season with the injury. He was actually doing a pretty good job, much better than things have worked out for Herrera and Pahas behind there as far as throwing guys out. So, That's a part of it. I understand that, but they got to improve that part of the game big time. And Crooks, apparently, has got the arm and is good enough to throw runners out at a better percentage than the guys you've got right now. He becomes the sixth Texas League MVP in Springfield franchise history.

Starting point is 00:16:18 The third, Springfield Cardinal to win the award in the last three seasons, Thomas J.C. last year. Moises Gomez won in 2022. Where are you, Moises Gomez? Dylan Carlson got it in 2019, the late great Oscar Tavares in 2012, Matt Adams, who just retired in 2011, are the other prospects who have won that award. Also, some love to Team Kentz, our guy, Team Kents wins the Texas League pitcher of the year award. He went four and three with a 2.71 ERA, struck out 109 batters, which is a single season career high in 79 and two-thirds innings. and you got to remember too. He did miss some time this year,

Starting point is 00:17:00 a little over a month with fatigue and back discomfort. In fact, I believe that he left his last start with an injury issue of some sort. We haven't seen any information about what was going on, but you're hoping for good things there. He's the second Springfield Cardinal to win the award. The only other Cardinals prospect to do so, Dakota Hudson, back in 2017.

Starting point is 00:17:23 So Matthews, Crooks and Hents, all together named Texas League All-Stars, along with their closer, Matt Fonson, who, when they got him for Paul DeYoung, that was the trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. There were so many trades with the Blue Jays. I'm like, oh, oh, which one was it? But Fonson was part of that Paul DeYoung deal, I believe.

Starting point is 00:17:43 This year he had 27 saves, 27 for 27, 2.69 ERA and 63 and two-thirds innings. You know, the Cardinals are always looking for more relievers. So Matt Fonson, going up as far as what maybe he can do for the team. Maybe next year. You know, again, this is double A where these guys are at. So, you know, if he dominates a triple A and is doing some of the same things,

Starting point is 00:18:08 then yeah, like, why wouldn't you think about using him as somebody in your bullpen? These guys, and these guys aren't kids either. We're not talking about 18 to 19 years old, you know, we're talking about, you know, hints is young, obviously. But a lot of these guys that are on these roster. They could make an impact next year, you know, 23 years old, 24 years old. So, and a shout out as well to their manager, Jose LeHare. Fourth season in the organization with the, well, I shouldn't say in the organization,

Starting point is 00:18:38 but fourth season with the Springfield Cardinals is their manager, ends up getting manager of a year award, which is great. Got them to the postseason for a second consecutive year. They won a franchise record 79 games. They were 20 games above 500. We know how important. coaching and managing can be. And we've had some good ones that have left the Cardinals organization recently

Starting point is 00:19:00 and guys like Skip Schumacher and Mike Schilt. So, you know, to have another guy coming up that maybe plays a role in what the Cardinals do in the future, that's great. Class Loway Palm Beach manager, Gary Kendall also won the Florida State League title was named the Florida State League manager of the year this year. So you got a couple managers there with some hardware this year. So all of these players combined with how good J.J. Weatherholt has been since he got drafted. The improvements of 2023 first round pick Chase Davis.

Starting point is 00:19:35 Plus, you know, what you've seen so far from Thomas and J.C. Lucan Baker, who's on paternity leave right now, which is why Victor Scott was up yesterday. Victor Scott. Victor Scott the second. Another youngster. You've still got Nolan Gorman. Guys like Matt Coperniac, I get that he's 26 years old, which is old for a prospect. He had a huge year of Memphis.

Starting point is 00:20:02 309, 20 homers, 73 RBIs. Can he be a benchback? Like if you end up trading somebody like a Lars Newt Bar or something to go help out in other areas, why not a Matt Copernic coming off your bench? Like what has he done? that says, hey, I can't hit major league pitching. I'm only good down here. You know, it's kind of what was happening with Luke and Baker.

Starting point is 00:20:28 Crushed his AAA. Didn't really get much of an opportunity at the major league level, but we've seen him and what he can do against lefties this year. So why not giving Matt Coperniac a chance in the outfield as, you know, one of those fifth or sixth outfielders? Why not? He got guys like Connor Thomas, who had a good year in the bullpen, left-hander at AAA.

Starting point is 00:20:51 Tompson is still around. Gordon Grecefo, Cooper Jerpy, Ian Bedell. You know, there's some names here that could provide the team with some depth for next season and beyond. And moving forward, if the payroll does come down, which is what a lot of people are expecting, you're going to need some of these younger guys who are under control, not making a lot of money, to step up and be a bigger part of your major league roster next year, probably. So these are some of the names to keep in the back of your mind and some of the reasons why maybe things aren't quite as bleak as everybody makes it sound when it comes to the prospect pool that the Cardinals have right now and how quickly

Starting point is 00:21:34 they can turn these things around and get back into playoff contention. Now last night, we also got to see more of the future on display at Corse Field as the voice took down the Rockies. We can talk about that game next on Locked on Cardinals. Now that the season is winding down, we know we don't have many home games left for the Cardinals, but, you know, there are still MLB games going on out there, and you can go watch them at different stadiums. And game time is the place you need to be going when you want tickets. They're an authorized ticket marketplace of Major League Baseball, and it make getting your tickets faster and easier. You can save up to 60% off, buying last minute tickets for all sports. It doesn't have to just be baseball. Obviously,

Starting point is 00:22:20 college football is in full effect, was looking on the game time map. Just the other day, thinking about going down to Louisville, check out my Miami Hurricanes when they play Louisville here in a couple of weeks. My hurricanes look good. But obviously NFL tickets, college football, we got concerts, we got comedy, we got theater, college basketball is going to be firing up here very, very soon. They've got you covered, man, flash deals, save even more with exclusive in-app deals on select seats ahead of the game or the event. You get the all-in pricing, which is great, so there's no secret fees there.

Starting point is 00:22:55 You get the lowest price guarantee or game time will credit you 100 to 10% of the difference. Take the guesswork out of buying your MLB tickets and tickets to all of the events that you want to go to with GameTime. Download the GameTime, Map, create an account, use the code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, create an account redeemed code locked on MLB. That's L-O-C-E-D-O-N MLB for $20 off. Download game time today. Last minute, tickets, lowest price, guaranteed.

Starting point is 00:23:29 Once again, thank you for making Locked on Cardinals, your first. listen today. Be sure to check out Lockedon MLB. Prepare for the Fall Classic with Sully. Has you covered every single day. You can find the link to Lockdown MLB in the description. That way you don't have to go searching for it. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. How about talking about the playoffs coming up?

Starting point is 00:23:47 The Padres triple played in the game last night to clinch a playoff spot. Man, I'm rooting for him, dude. They're a fun team to watch, man. Let's root for Mike Schilt and Company out west. That's where I'm at. Cardinals out west as well last night. They ended up winning seven to three. Let's go ahead and start with Michael McGreevy, who once again,

Starting point is 00:24:08 he looks the part, you guys. He looks the part, like he looks like somebody who deserves a crack at the rotation next year. I know two starts, three total appearances. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. But I don't know what he's done that would disappoint you so far. He certainly can make someone like Miles friggin Michaelis more expendable if they can find a trade partner and be willing to eat enough money to move on from Miles Michaelis. I mean, is there anybody out there that really would rather see Miles Michaelis pitch every day than Michael McGreevy or Andre Palante?

Starting point is 00:24:50 You really want to see Michaelis instead? Like, do we not know what we've had in Michaelis? Isn't it time to move on a little bit? So we'll see how it goes. But I was very impressed once again from Michael McGreeby last night, was just cruising right along, gave up the one solo home run, but caught a tough break in that fifth inning

Starting point is 00:25:11 when he's won out away from getting out of that jam where it was first and second and nobody out. And the number nine hitter, Shunk, who hit the home run off him earlier, hits a swinging bunt down the third baseline, no play at first, nothing that Aronado could have done, ends up scoring the runner from,

Starting point is 00:25:27 third. You saw the reaction from a grieving two after it happened where he he said a bad word. It was and just laughed. He was just like, uh, I mean, what are you going to do? Makes a great pitch, jams him, gets inside and the guy just fists it down the third baseline. I mean, tough luck. And then you get Charlie Blackman because the, the lineup turns over and here comes Blackman, who, you know, has been a superstar veteran for a long time, rips one to center field, misjudged a bit by Michael Siani. You don't see that very often where he thought he was going to be able to get over to cut it off

Starting point is 00:26:01 and catch it. And then it just ends up continuing to skyrocket over his head. Ends up being a triple there. So you get some bad luck. And then you get that play. And that makes it three to two, which takes him out of the capabilities of getting a win in the game because he's taken out after that.

Starting point is 00:26:19 But five innings, four hits, five strikeouts at Coorsfield. I mean, I'll take that all day every day, wouldn't you? Offensively, it was a huge night for Mason when who found out, who we found out, actually tweaked his triceps in batting practice beforehand. So there was a chance. That was Derek Gould that had tweeted that out. And there was certainly a chance that he wasn't going to play, that he was going to be a late scratch.

Starting point is 00:26:44 But instead he ends up staying in the lineup and has one of his best nights of the year. Goes two for four, 15 home runs, career high, four RBIs. the inning that stood out to me, eighth inning. That was the most impressive one. You get the lead off opposite field single by Nolan Aronado, who I know it sucks that you're not getting power out of Nolan Aronado anymore, but they're not pitching him to where he can hit the home runs. And so he's doing what he can and he's just taking him to Ryan Field.

Starting point is 00:27:14 You know, I mean, he's going to have less home runs but still hit 280, 285 by taking the ball the opposite field. What are you going to do? I mean, there's not much you can do. So, but he, he pops another one into right field, opposite field single. Next two guys are outs, but then Lars Neupar has a great at bat, works a two-out walk. He had three of those on the night, three walks for Newpar. Then you get three consecutive hits by three of the guys that you're hoping they're going to leave this team next year.

Starting point is 00:27:43 And Jordan Walker, Victor Scott, the second, and then Mason went again. Walker ropes that ball to left for the RBI single. Victor Scott the second sneaks one through the hole between first and, second ends up on the throw home. They try to get Newpar at home. Safe at the plate. Great speed by Scott moves up the second and third. And that brings in Mason Wynn, who just bloops one down the line in right field.

Starting point is 00:28:07 And just like that, you got a 7 to 3 ball game and wins home run in the day earlier in the game to give the Cardo's lead at the beginning, 2-0 lead, ended up being his 150th hit of the season. and it becomes just the fourth rookie since 1957 to reach that total for the Cardinals joining. You might have heard of these guys. Bake McBride, I don't know who that is, but I know who Albert Pooholz is. And I know who Vince Coleman is. Kind of a big deal.

Starting point is 00:28:34 So congratulations to Mason went on hitting that mark. You know, seeing the young guys on the team coupled with Aronado and Newpar in that inning coming through in the clutch. It put a smile on my face. You know, it gives you a little bit of hope. that this team in 2025 will have enough offensively to be better than they were this year. Because when you look at the season as a whole, bullpen, very, very good. They did their jobs. The starting rotation for the most part wasn't that bad.

Starting point is 00:29:11 Sure, you would like improvements on some of the people in there, but it wasn't like they just got killed all year long. offense is where the problem really was because you expected them to be better than they were. And you're hoping that these are the guys along with, you know, Pedro Pahez and Yvonne Herrera and Thomas C. You know, you're hoping that this grouping of people who more than likely are going to be on this roster next year, along with a guy like a Brennan Donovan and an Alec Burleson, you know, that they are able to be a better offensive. of team in 2025 because they all, all of them as a whole got to take that next step. And that's what you're hoping for. A couple of them are probably not going to go there.

Starting point is 00:29:57 Nature of the beast, but you need a substantial amount of them to become solid major league players quickly for 2025 if you expect to be playoff competitive, especially again if you're cutting this payroll because you're not going to go out and buy any of these guys to fix it. So you've got to rely on the people within your organization. Bullpenwise last night, after McGreevy, you had John King and Andrew Kittridge. They put up zeros. Matthew Libertzoor worked his way out of that first and third, nobody out situation against the heart of the Rockies order in the eighth inning,

Starting point is 00:30:31 which was awesome. And then Ryan Fernandez finished it up in the ninth inning. The Rockies aren't a good team. They had that ridiculous run-down blunder in, what was that the sixth inning, I think, is when that happened, six or seven. one of the two where the Cardinals were able to tie it up at three. So I'm not trying to blow it out of proportion like, oh, my God, look how amazing these guys all are. But at the same time, you get the win.

Starting point is 00:30:58 It's a major league game. Your younger guys were a big part of it. And that's kind of a big deal as far as the growing process as you wrap up this season and prepare for next year. The Cardinals get to, what are 80 wins now? Is that where we're at? I think that's where they got to. Let me double-checked. I want to get your false information out of all of this.

Starting point is 00:31:21 But I believe that's what we got to. Yeah, 80 and 77. So 80 and 77 now, they're three wins away or four wins away from making into my prediction, which was 84 wins this year. Still got to face the Rocky still. Still got to face the Giants. Got Eric Fetty on the mound tonight. Been a disappointment since the trade, 1 and 5, 4.

Starting point is 00:31:45 07 ERA. He'll go up against former Cardinal, Austin Gomber, who's 5 and 11, 4.67 ERA. Cardinals hit him pretty good back in St. Louis, back in June. He's 1 and 4 at Coors Field this year. The ERA is closer to five. So hopefully more offense to come tonight. And you'll have all the right-handed bats in the lineup, at least as many as they can get. So I'm on Luke and Baker on paternity leave. I mean, congratulations to you, Lucan. But at the same time, it would have been nice to see Luke and Baker in a lineup tonight at Coors Field.

Starting point is 00:32:16 Like, can you imagine how far a ball could go off? Lucan Baker's bat at Coors Field? I would love to see it. But sadly, it will not happen. Thank you for making Locked on Cardinals. Your first listen every day. If you haven't already, give me a follow on Twitter X, at L.O. underscore Cardinals and a JD Sports Radio.

Starting point is 00:32:32 Like, subscribe on YouTube. Help our channel and our love for the Cardinals grow. You guys are the best fans. in baseball for a reason, and I will see you next time on Locked on Cardinals. Have a good one.

Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Cardinals Top Prospects Quinn Mathews, Tink Hence And Jimmy Crooks Take Home Major Awards

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.