Cardinals Rumors: A pitcher to claim, Paul Goldschmidt trade talk, protect this prospect
By Mark Powell
Cardinals Rumors: Take a chance on Zach Plesac
The Cleveland Guardians designated Zach Plesac for assignment on Sunday morning, just a month after suggesting they weren’t giving up on the former hotshot rookie. Plesac is years removed from his successful 2019 and 2020 campaigns, but injuries largely are to blame for derailing his career.
Plesac has made just five starts this season, and has a 7.59 ERA. He’s nowhere near his best right now, and despite being optioned relatively recently, the Guardians have seen enough. Both sides needed a fresh start.
MLB Trade Rumors made the argument that Plesac’s early-career success had a lot to do with the defense behind him, rather than his approach on the mound:
"“That early success was in no small part due to a tiny .246 average on balls in play and lofty 81.5% strand rate. Those numbers regressed toward the league averages in 2021-22 and did so in conjunction with velocity and strikeout rate both taking a step back. The result was 274 1/3 innings of 4.49 ERA ball — a passable but unexciting set of results that looked more commensurate with a fourth or fifth starter than what Plesac had displayed in his first two seasons.”"
A team like the Cardinals, who could use some rotation depth, ought to take a chance on Plesac. Considering the defense they could line up behind the ground-ball pitcher, Plesac could find similar success to his early years in Cleveland if all goes according to plan.