Fansided

One prospect each MLB team should call up

By Joshua Sadlock

Mar 10, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ (86) hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ (86) hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Weaver (62) pitches to a Cincinnati Reds batter during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Weaver (62) pitches to a Cincinnati Reds batter during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

St. Louis Cardinals: Luke Weaver

For the Cardinals, top pitching prospect Alex Reyes is down for the year as he works back from Tommy John surgery. That was a major blow for a team with a rotation that is still very much up in the air. Adam Wainwright, long the horse of the staff, is entering the twilight of his career. Michael Wacha and Lance Lynn both have their own injury risks. Without Reyes to fall back on, Luke Weaver is the next man up in St. Louis.

Weaver made nine appearances for the Cardinals last season and struggled. He went 1-4 with a 5.70 ERA in 36.1 innings of work. Weaver did strike out 45 in his time in the big leagues, so that points to ace potential going forward.

The 2014 first-round pick out of Florida State dominated the minor leagues. He is 15-9 with a 1.76 ERA in close to 200 innings down on the farm. Weaver throws a sinking fastball and a cutting fastball, both approaching 95 mph. He backs up those pitches with an excellent changeup, but his breaking pitches need more work to be effective against MLB hitters. With the Cardinals last year, Weaver nibbled around the plate too much instead of trusting the movement of his fastball. He will need to trust his stuff when the call comes this year.

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