Brenden Schaeffer and Joe Roderick hosted their latest edition of Cards Hub 365 on Sports Hub STL, recapping the St. Louis Cardinals' 3-2 victory in Grapefruit League action. Thomas Saggese walked it off in the ninth inning, securing the win. The hosts discussed various aspects of the game, spring training trends, and key player performances.
Game Highlights & Spring Training Atmosphere
- The Cardinals secured another spring training win, a point of excitement despite the exhibition nature of these games.
- The hosts debated the quirks of spring training, including the possibility of extra innings and whether umpires and managers truly want extended games at this stage.
- Discussion of how fans engage with spring training games and the unique access they get to players and behind-the-scenes action.
Player Spotlights
1. Nolan Gorman’s Struggles
- Gorman has yet to record a hit in spring training and has a concerning number of strikeouts.
- Schaeffer and Roderick discussed whether prolonged struggles could result in him starting in AAA rather than on the big-league roster.
- While the hosts acknowledged it’s still early, they debated at what point the Cardinals might need to make a tough decision regarding his role.
2. Miles Mikolas' Performance
- Mikolas made his second start of the spring but struggled, particularly with location in two-strike counts, leading to a home run allowed.
- The discussion centered on whether Mikolas will be able to rebound and justify his role in the rotation, especially given his contract situation and the emerging young arms in the Cardinals’ system.
3. Prospects & Roster Battles
- Victor Scott II continues to impress with his hitting and speed, logging another stolen base and a hit.
- Alec Burleson and other young players like Thomas Saggese are making their case for playing time.
- The hosts examined the potential roster implications of these performances, including how the outfield and infield depth could impact player positioning.
Cardinals Roster Construction & Season Outlook
- The debate over whether Brendan Donovan should play second base or left field to maximize offensive production.
- Lars Nootbaar’s role—whether he should remain in left or shift to center field to accommodate Donovan.
- Pitching Depth Concerns
- The hosts ran through possible pitching alternatives if Mikolas or others falter, including Tekoah Roby, Matthew Liberatore, and Michael McGreevy.
- Zach Thompson, once a promising arm, seems to have fallen out of favor, and the hosts questioned his future role in the organization.
Looking Ahead
- The hosts emphasized that spring training is still in its early stages, but trends are emerging that could impact Opening Day roster decisions.
- Discussion of upcoming games and players to watch as the Cardinals continue to fine-tune their roster for the regular season.
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