STL Cardinals: 2 prospects to promote and 1 to send down

With an 8-12 record, the St. Louis Cardinals could obviously use a change. Moving some prospects may be something the team needs to do now. 

The St. Louis Cardinals have gotten off to a rough start with an 8-12 record. While the team is having trouble getting a good, consistent shutdown showing from one of its pitchers, the team is also struggling at the plate.

It’s important to note it is still just April. Players are still trying to adjust to getting back into the swing of baseball and the new rules. The cool temperatures. Life. It’s all a struggle right now. That said, the Cardinals obviously need a jolt to get things going. Consistently.

It’s not likely the team will make a significant change to the lineup as they do have great options within the team now. We will likely not see movement between St. Louis and the minor leagues unless there is an injury or a player needs a break.  Changes would probably come in the outfield or middle infield if there is a move – think Masyn Winn, Paul DeJong, or bringing back Juan Yepez.

It’s also clear a move will not consist of Jordan Hicks. Katie Woo of The Athletic held a Q&A session with subscribers  and Hicks was brought up. She explained that if Hicks were to have accepted the option, he could lose significant league service time.

Woo noted that the Cardinals keeping Hicks set to only pitch in lower leverage situations allows the coaching staff to do their job in getting Hicks right. When considering the control issues and the optics of the situation, it is easy to see why the decision was made to keep Hicks with St. Louis. The team has to keep things under control pitching-wise until then.

Woo did note that reliever Wilking Rodríguez, who has been on the injured list with shoulder issues, began a rehab assignment Thursday with Memphis, and because of his Rule 5 status, he has to be placed on the active roster when that assignment ends.

Rodriguez could be an exciting option from the bullpen in the coming days.

It’s also of note that Adam Wainwright could return to the club soon as he’s been on a rehab assignment to make sure he is in the major-league-ready to start for the Cardinals.

Let’s examine some pitching prospects that could be moved to help the starting rotation get some innings under their belt.