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Cardinals To Promote Thomas Saggese

By Steve Adams | September 10, 2024 at 9:11am CDT

The Cardinals are set to call up infield prospect Thomas Saggese for his major league debut, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. He’s not on the 40-man roster, so St. Louis will need to formally select his contract from Triple-A Memphis. The Cards already have a pair of vacancies on the 40-man, however, so they’ll only need a corresponding move on the active 28-man roster.

Saggese, 22, was acquired from the Rangers in the 2023 deadline trade sending left-hander Jordan Montgomery and reliever Chris Stratton to Texas. Baseball America currently ranks him as the system’s fifth-best prospect. He’s hitting .253/.313/.438 with 20 home runs, 23 doubles, three triples, nine steals (in 13 attempts), a 23.1% strikeout rate and 5.9% walk rate in 528 plate appearances this season. BA describes Saggese as a “bat-first middle infielder” with an aggressive approach but above-average contact skills and a knack for barreling the ball.

Though he’s spent time at all three infield positions to the left of first base, Saggese’s primary position in the minors has been second base. He’s logged more time at shortstop than second base this season, perhaps in a bid to diversify his skill set, but Masyn Winn’s breakout has solidified shortstop at Busch Stadium and Nolan Arenado remains entrenched at the hot corner. Saggese’s clearest path to a regular role with the Cardinals will be at second base, which scouting reports feel is his best position anyhow. He has competition in the long term, primarily in the form of Nolan Gorman, but the slugging Gorman has struggled this season and has yet to clearly stake his claim as the Cards’ second baseman of the future.

Gorman’s struggles reached a boiling point last month, when he was optioned to Triple-A himself. The Cardinals have been using versatile Brendan Donovan at second base since, but Donovan has been hobbled by a foot injury recently and (speculatively speaking) could be bound for the injured list. Even if Donovan avoids and IL stint, calling Saggese to the majors both gives the Cardinals a short-term alternative and affords them a look at a potential key piece of their future infield.

Saggese also provides some insurance for Winn at shortstop in the event that Donovan misses either a couple more games — he was out of Sunday’s lineup — or heads to the injured list. Prior to the Saggese move, Jose Fermin was the only shortstop option on the roster other than Winn and Donovan. If Donovan is sidelined for any period of time, Fermin would’ve been ticketed to step in and second base, leaving the Cards with no real backup to Winn at short.

Saggese would’ve been eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason and would’ve been a slam-dunk to be selected, so the Cardinals were always going to add him to the roster prior to mid-November’s protection deadline. The current health status of their infield group may have forced the issue a bit sooner, but that’ll only serve to get Saggese some late-season reps against big league pitching — a notable development for him given that he’d almost certainly have been called to the majors at some point in 2025 anyhow. He obviously won’t receive a full year of service at this point, so Saggese remains on track for free agency no earlier than the 2030-31 offseason and arbitration eligibility no sooner than the 2027-28 offseason.

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St. Louis Cardinals Transactions Thomas Saggese

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56 Comments

  1. tektmz

    10 months ago

    And the youth movement for 2025 begins! Let’s go!

    4
    Reply
    • Blackpink in the area

      10 months ago

      What about the pitching? Why does the youth movement not include pitchers?

      3
      Reply
      • Dogbone

        10 months ago

        @blackpink:
        I thought the other day, you wrote that the Cardinals were loaded with pitchers, that were all ready to take over St Louis?
        Apparently Mo doesn’t see it the same way.

        Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          10 months ago

          I said the Cardinals have a lot of young pitchers who are ready to contribute. Mo is going to lose his job soon.

          2
          Reply
      • Craviduce

        10 months ago

        Mo, unfortunately, has a job until the 2026. Dewitt will let that play out. Bloom is calling the shots for most of this season.

        McGreevy is the only one who is more than 80% ready pitcher for the 2025 rotation. Graceffo is desperately in need of a swing and miss pitch. His contact against isn’t as forgiving as McGreevy’s is. Mathews is on his way, but not ready yet.

        In the middle of September, and realistically eliminated from the Post Season, calling up non-ready pitchers to start only serves our individual fetishes and desires, and probably not the best option for the player.

        I’m all for McGreevy getting 3 starts to end the season….he’s earned it.

        2
        Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          10 months ago

          Mcgreevy should have been in the rotation in April instead of Lynn or Gibson. Graceffo deserves a shot. Kloffenstein deserves a shot. Robberse should get a chance next year if he’s healthy. Hjerpe, Hence and Rajcic are coming soon.

          Remember when Liberatore was a top 50 overall prospect? He’s barely had a chance. Young guys need opportunities.

          1
          Reply
        • Craviduce

          10 months ago

          Hjerpe refuses to have TJ surgery. He’s delaying the inevitable. He’s not coming to the Majors for the next 3 seasons. Rajcic has tremendous trouble with his main secondary pitch (Change up), sometimes he’s on, sometimes he’s not…thus the 10-10 record with the 4.50 ERA in Springfield…he’s not coming at least for 2 more years.. Kloffenstein has been on the IL for 2 months, he’s not coming anytime soon. Robberse just got off the IL, and will make his first AAA start this week….since May.

          Graceffo isn’t ready for the rotation permanently. He’s 1 game good, 2 bad….he needs the swing and miss pitch. He’s in desperate need of a pitching lab visit.

          Liberatore should never see another starting role again…at least for the foreseeable future. When he starts, his velocity goes down to 92, his spin rate on his fastball decreases dramatically, and is very hittable.

          McGreevy, then Mathews., with Robberse and Kloff if injuries are over. Graceffo would be 5th…..and keep this in mind, I’ve been a Graceffo fan since 2021, I’m just not a biased person….I’m honest with my assessments…..and I don’t call 2.00 WHIP performances “Great” 😉 Graceffo has major starting concerns. Short stints are okay, 1 or 2 innings, but the swing and miss is an issue

          7
          Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          10 months ago

          You have no idea what you are talking about. None at all.

          1
          Reply
        • Craviduce

          10 months ago

          Joell, when you’re faced with facts, you go to the catch phrases….where are the catch phrases, Joell?

          Make it Make Sense 😉

          Reply
        • Lanidrac

          10 months ago

          We have no way of knowing how McGrevey might have performed in MLB earlier in the season, but back then he hadn’t yet spent enough time in AAA.

          Those other guys did NOT deserve a chance this year! Lynn and Gibson have both easily outperformed what any of them would’ve provided. It’s thanks to bringing in them and Gray that the Cardinals are actually straddling the .500 mark this year and were contending as late as mid-August.

          Liberatore has had PLENTY of chances as a MLB starter, including a stretch earlier this season, but he’s never done well in any of those chances. However, he’s become a good relief pitcher.

          Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          10 months ago

          McGreevy has now made 50 freaking starts at AAA. He has made 1 big league start and performed he looked fantastic. Whst was his reward? He got sent down and we haven’t seen him since.

          Kloffenstein and Graceffo have both earned a chance. And Liberatore has too he’s never had one. Just because he didn’t dominate in his first few starts doesn’t mean you give up on him and turn him into a reliever.

          Why are Saggese and Walker getting opportunities now? They haven’t earned them.

          Reply
      • stan lee the manly

        10 months ago

        Because they won’t just sit veteran starters. Lynn is coming back and they are already using Matz as a reliever. There’s nowhere to put anyone else unless they move to a six man, which I don’t hate to rest Gray a bit and take a few innings from Pallente, but I don’t think they would do that as long as the playoffs are possible.

        1
        Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          10 months ago

          Why on earth does Lynn need to start at this point of the season? And what makes Lynn different than Matz? Why is Mikolas still in the rotation? None of it makes sense.

          2
          Reply
        • Lanidrac

          10 months ago

          Because Lynn has actually been performing decently as one of the team’s 5 best starters this year. Benching him or demoting him to the bullpen through no fault of his own is a terrible insult to a veteran player.

          On the other hand, I assume Mikolas has made his last start this season (if not his career) now that Lynn is coming back.

          1
          Reply
      • Lanidrac

        10 months ago

        It does in the bullpen. However, they can’t just bench their veteran starters (aside from maybe Mikolas) for the rest of the season while they’re performing decently or better.

        Reply
    • Dogbone

      10 months ago

      No. Actually the Cardinals infielder ‘merry go round’ continues.

      1
      Reply
  2. Craviduce

    10 months ago

    I assume Donovan’s injury is more serious than we thought? Or is someone being cut? Maybe someone who makes Salsa? Or the Ferminator?

    1
    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      10 months ago

      Carpenter has been a decent bench player this year.

      I assume they’re still deciding if Donovon needs to go on the IL, and if not, then Fermin will be sent down.

      1
      Reply
  3. DodgersBro

    10 months ago

    Projected by FG for an 87 wRC+ the rest of the way

    1
    Reply
  4. Old York

    10 months ago

    My man has his HRs at a 16% rate in his minor league career. That may come down to about 10-12% in MLB so expect at least 1 HR every 10 games from him.

    Noice!

    1
    Reply
  5. Blackpink in the area

    10 months ago

    Another promotion based on prospect rating and not actual performance. Yuck.

    3
    Reply
  6. lesterdnightfly

    10 months ago

    Masyn Winn is wearing down and trending down.

    2
    Reply
  7. User 3594734386

    10 months ago

    Cesar Prieto.

    If I’m him; I’m saying to myself “what else do I gotta do to get my shot”. He’s 3 years older than Saggese.

    Time to find out if he’s show material or just another AAAA casualty. Hey Cardinal FO, if he’s not in your plans, trade him to someone who’ll give him that opportunity.

    2
    Reply
  8. Jgwi2az

    10 months ago

    So many failed Cardinal prospects! It gives me joy!

    2
    Reply
    • Blackpink in the area

      10 months ago

      What the heck are you talking about?

      Reply
    • Old York

      10 months ago

      @Jgwi2az

      About 70% of Baseball America top 100 prospects fail.

      BTW, given that it gives you joy that they failed, can you tell us which MLB superstar you are? How many years did you play in the MLB and when were you inducted in the HOF?

      3
      Reply
    • RussianFemboy

      10 months ago

      lmao what a bum take

      1
      Reply
    • asdfgh

      10 months ago

      Sad that’s what you get joy thanks for admitting you’re a loser who’s never enjoyed real joy in life

      1
      Reply
  9. cooperhill

    10 months ago

    What do the Cardinals have against Prieto? He’s been ready for months.

    3
    Reply
  10. TheStevilEmpire1

    10 months ago

    It will be nice to see him get his first shot. I’m glad they didn’t call Gorman back up just because he was on the 40 man roster. A fresh face is good.

    2
    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      10 months ago

      The 40-maqn roster wasn’t a consideration this time, since they actually had a couple of open spots.

      1
      Reply
      • TheStevilEmpire1

        10 months ago

        This is true, but how many times over the last few years have we seen them pick up some fringe reliever just to occupy a spot on the 40 man, numerous times.

        It’s nice to see them start moving prospects up. They’ll never know what they have down there if they don’t give opportunities out,right?

        1
        Reply
  11. Coal tender

    10 months ago

    Rangers really screwed themselves giving away Saggese for a couple of rentals. now both gone. I expected Ray Davis to resign Montgomery, but revenue flow due to that chaotic TV deal with Diamond killed resigning anyone.

    Reply
    • Blackpink in the area

      10 months ago

      Yeah that championship must hurt. They will regret that until the end of time I am sure…..

      7
      Reply
      • TheStevilEmpire1

        10 months ago

        This is factual. I would still take Raphael Furcal, Octavio Dotel, and Edwin Jackson in 2011 every time over keeping Colby Rasmus.

        4
        Reply
    • gbs42

      10 months ago

      The Rangers won the World Series last season. Flags fly forever.

      5
      Reply
  12. CardsFan57

    10 months ago

    A well deserved promotion in my opinion. Now option Fermin and call up Prieto.

    3
    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      10 months ago

      They probably are already optioning Fermin for Saggase today.

      1
      Reply
    • laynestaley2002

      10 months ago

      Victor Scott sent down.

      1
      Reply
  13. FrontOfficeStan

    10 months ago

    Saggese has been pretty solid lately and has a hot stretch batting .351 with 2 HR and 7 RBIs over the last 10 games. Worthy promotion. There are a few others I’d like to see have some time up too.

    2
    Reply
  14. Lanidrac

    10 months ago

    So I assume Fermin is the one getting sent down (unless they’re putting Donovan on the IL)? I don’t know why they didn’t just pick Saggase instead the last time Fermin was called up. It’s not like Saggase can do much worse at the plate than Fermin has been in his MLB time this year.

    Reply
    • Blackpink in the area

      10 months ago

      Fermin has barely had a chance.

      Reply
      • Lanidrac

        10 months ago

        Why should he? His positions are blocked by good players (counting Donovan as the starting 2B now), and he doesn’t perform in the chances that he does get.

        Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          10 months ago

          Fermin had 69 at bats this year coming into today. That’s nothing to draw any conclusions from. He outplayed Saggese in AAA the rest of the season. Why does Saggese get playing time over Fermin? Why?

          Carpenter should be released. He’s worthless.

          Reply
  15. Craviduce

    10 months ago

    Scott II was the one optioned back to Memphis.

    hmmm.

    Reply
    • sad tormented neglected mariners fan

      10 months ago

      Scott was doing better but he still needs a little more seasoning

      2
      Reply
      • Blackpink in the area

        10 months ago

        Scott is definitely not ready yet. And he was never supposed to be ready. He played because of injuries at least his promotions made sense but he isn’t a big leaguer yet.

        1
        Reply
        • Lanidrac

          10 months ago

          True, but position-wise he still made more sense to stay on the roster than Fermin, who has hit just as poorly as Scott has but has now been made completely redundant by Saggese.

          At least Scott was still useful as a strong-fielding backup CF and pinch-runner.

          Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          10 months ago

          Fermin is the backup shortstop. Scott and Saggese didn’t earn their jobs neither belong on the team.

          Reply
  16. sad tormented neglected mariners fan

    10 months ago

    He and Winn will be double play partners for years

    2
    Reply
    • Blackpink in the area

      10 months ago

      Wetherholt will most likely be playing 2b by mid 2026.

      Reply
    • lesterdnightfly

      10 months ago

      Yep, they will take over the GIDP leadership from Goldschmidt and Arenado.

      1
      Reply

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