The Cardinals have made a roster move in advance of tonight’s wild card game with the Dodgers, designating right-hander Seth Elledge for assignment. The transaction opens up a 40-man space for the Cards to select the contract of first baseman Juan Yepez from Triple-A.
It is quite the opportunity for the 23-year-old Yepez, who has never played in a MLB game but could now get his first taste of the big leagues in the October spotlight. While it’s safe to assume Yepez might be the proverbial last man on the 26-man depth chart for tonight’s game, the fact that the Cards are giving this spot is a sign of confidence in what Yepez could provide as a potential x-factor.
Acquired from the Braves in the Matt Adams trade in 2017, Yepez’s bat didn’t really start to heat up until 2019, when he jumped from A-ball to Double-A in his age-21 season. After not playing in 2020 due to the canceled minor league season, Yepez suddenly exploded this year, batting a combined .286/.383/.586 with 27 home runs over 434 combined plate appearances for Double-A Springfield (77 PA) and Triple-A Memphis (357 PA). Yepez’s slash lines were almost identical at each level.
This breakout was enough to merit a #27 ranking on MLB Pipeline’s list of Cardinals prospects. Pipeline’s scouting report cites Yepez’s “high exit velocities” and gap power, plus an increased maturity at the plate and an ability to make swing changes. Yepez has mostly played first base in his career, but could also fill in at third base or a corner outfield slot in a pinch.
Elledge made his MLB debut in 2020, and pitching in each of the last two seasons, the righty has a 4.63 ERA over 23 1/3 career innings out of the St. Louis bullpen. A high 13.5% walk rate has been Elledge’s biggest issue, and he has shown similar control issues over 70 innings at the Triple-A level.
This confuses me a lot, Elledge is a good pitcher
Yea, I can think of a few guys I would have DFA’d before Elledge.
LeBlanc, Miller, Zeuch and Waddell all probably coulda been gone before Elledge tbh. I mean Elledge isn’t a rockstar but I think he has more potential than that quartet save for like Zeuch.
Well, I think this is great move by the Cardinals bringing up Yepez to the majors.
Elledge is trash. He was propped up as some future late game ace because he looked good against inferior competition in Spring Training. Then he faced legitimate MLB hitters and realized he had nothing. A pitching machine had a better chance to get an out.
jkoch, labeling another person as “trash” is a trashy move.
Juan Yepez is the next Albert Pujols, be confused no more, problem is where are they going to fit all of these prospects, plus Arenado, Goldschmidt, and Edman on the infield, good problem to have. Cardinals have been drafting/trading and have so much good talent in the wings they can trade guys like Arozarena, and Garcia and not even worry. Those guys will be getting ROY votes.
No, he’s not, lol
Elledge has been terrible! Look at his stats
Lol good time to make your debut
Anyone know the reason for Yepez tonight, in particular? Just checked and has 23 stolen bases in 6 minor league season. So not a late inning speed guy to tie or win a game. Nothing stands out…help!
Because he rocked AAA pitching and the Cardinals bench is thin in late game power options.
You will begin to understand in a few hours hopefully. Remember that guy John Rodriquez who launched a few balls in Houston in ’05? D dead center 434 and almost hit the ball out?
Loved that guy. Career .298 hitter but with such a limited time in the majors. John Rodriguez’s AAA line at Memphis in 2005 is still one of the wildest lines I’ve seen lol
Has a good bat
i take it debuting guys in the postseason is the new fad?
I believe it doesn’t count as service time. The Rays have done this a couple of times with pitchers over the years.
Matt Reynolds on the Mets, too
This is it guys. This is the Devil Magic. Juan Yepez blasts a go-ahead pinch-hit 2 run homer in the top of the 9th.
Only to watch Alex Reyes walk 2 guys and blow the save in the bottom of the 9th.
Gallegos is the closer now.
you jinxed it. 🙁
Someone will pick Elledge up, many teams have trashy bullpen
They can’t! He was outrighted by Cardinals! You need to learn the rules