The Cardinals announced that pitching prospect Gordon Graceffo has been optioned to Triple-A, in order to clear a 26-man roster spot for righty Jacob Bosiokovic. In a corresponding move for the selection of Bosiokovic’s contract, lefty Kolton Ingram was designated for assignment.
A 19th-round pick for the Rockies in the 2016 draft, Bosiokovic is now poised to make his debut as a big leaguer. The 30-year-old Bosiokovic was drafted as a first baseman but, after his progress at the plate was stalling out, he turned to pitching during the 2019 season. That position change has now paved Bosiokovic’s path to the Show, as he continued to develop on the mound after joining the Cardinals organization in late 2019.
Bosiokovic spent two years in the Cards’ system before becoming a free agent and signing with Charleston of the independent Atlantic League for the 2023 season. Resigning with St. Louis this past winter, Bosiokovic has a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings for Triple-A Memphis, along with a 29.7% strikeout rate. While the right-hander can miss bats and can keep the ball in the park (47.8% grounder rate), Bosiokovic’s control is a big concern, as he has a 17.2% walk rate during his time in Memphis this season.
St. Louis will give Bosiokovic a look while also bringing a fresh arm into the bullpen, as Graceffo pitched 4 1/3 innings in yesterday’s 9-4 loss to the Reds. Making his own MLB debut, Graceffo looked pretty solid in the long relief outing, limiting Cincinnati to a run on three hits and two walks, while Graceffo racked up four strikeouts.
Ingram has become a familiar name on MLBTR’s pages in 2024, as the southpaw has been designated for assignment four times by four different teams, and then claimed away on waivers from another club. Beginning February as a member of Detroit’s organization, Ingram has bounced from the Tigers to the Angels, Mets, Rangers, and Cardinals without getting any time in the big leagues. The left-hander’s Major League resume still consists of his five appearances and 5 1/3 innings with the Angels last season.
Ingram has a 4.26 ERA over 25 1/3 combined innings with three different Triple-A affiliates this year, which is quite solid considering the added tumult of continually changing teams. Given how his 2024 has gone, nobody would be surprised if yet another team in need of left-handed bullpen depth claims Ingram off the Cardinals’ waiver wire.
Excellent half game pitched out of the pen, picked up the entire staff yesterday. Here’s your ticket back to AAA, Mr. Graceffo.
I understand the Graceffo demotion, but who the hell is Bosiokovic? Straight from the Independant League?
Gotta expand register pitching for him in bbref (if you haven’t). He’s been in AAA
Thanks, I checked that first, but I guess I needed to research more.
As I read the box score daily, Bosiokovic is good/bad/good. He is doing alright but I’m not going to expect too much at the next level. Hope I’m wrong.
I just dont understand.. Kloffenstein got the callup and performed greatly then was optioned one day later, Gordon gets the callup and performs greatly, and gets optioned immediantly, why are we just wasting options
Players can get optioned up to 5 times each season, for a total of 3 seasons. So it doesn’t really waste options as long as they stick within that 5 times limit. The system really sucks for the pitchers though – they pitch well in the majors but earn a minor league salary until the next time they get called up for another day or two of big league pay.
Yeah it’s total nonsense they should fix this rule so teams stop screwing over their players. The fact is Graceffo has earned a long term call up anyways. This is lame.
Thanks for the innings guys. Sorry we’re jerking you around like this.
Sure seems like no one has a clue in the Cards organization as to hat to do with their group of possibilities called players
They’re far from the only team to do this kind of thing.
I don’t necessarily like it or agree with it, but I understand what the Cardinals are doing. They are trying to keep Graceffo on a multi- inning basis and will let him go back to starting at Memphis. As for selecting Bosiokovic, this is just another name of revolving door of relievers the Cardinals will only give an appearance or two in non-close games to keep the backend of the bullpen as fresh as they can for the second half. Our back end of the bullpen is limping to the All Star break and need as much relief as they can get. Bosiokovic is likely a DFA candidate after he gets a couple appearances and they need somebody else or make a trade in a few weeks.
Yeah, as others have commented, first time up is a godsend, but after that they are tools. They are People too, and who wouldn’t be elated for a first trip to the majors, but 5 times in a year isn’t fair.
Yes it not great that the Cards are doing this BUT other teams do it and it was BARGAINED for by the Union.
Blame Tony Clark and his minions.
Agree!
Good Luck B man. Hope you complete your career change. Always hard to make the Change, but you did it!
The real question is what do the Cards so next. Soon, Edman needs to take over second. He is a Gold glover there. Gorman either turns into a DH, or demoted. Centerfield is a quandary. I still believe in Nootbar! He will make a difference. For some time I have considered this dilemma. Edman has to play, Nootbarr too. So who goes. Definitely Gorman. Trade, Memphis or occasionally DH. One more problem. Catcher’s. Contreras is not healthy. He will improve, but you cannot swing one-handed and succeed. Willits be late inning replacement of Pages and Siani. I guess, but I see no need to address a new right hand bat? Who is going to be a better right-handed? Maybe they can make a move for another starter, but who?, and for what price? If teams won’t offer our needs, then stand pat.
Siani has been hitting well the last few weeks. He’ll be the regular centerfielder if he continues even as an average hitter.