The Cardinals released Garrett Hampson, according to the utilityman’s MLB.com profile page. Hampson was designated for assignment earlier this week, and while he had the option of declining an outright assignment in favor of free agency, it appears the Cards just streamlined by the process with a release as soon as Hampson cleared waivers.
It is possible Hampson could sign elsewhere before the 2025 season ends, should a team want some versatile depth in the minors or on a big league bench. However, Hampson has rarely brought much with his bat during his eight Major League seasons, and his offense has sunk to a career-worst .143/.250/.169 over 91 plate appearances in 2025.
The nomadic nature of Hampton’s season didn’t help him get into any kind of groove at the dish. Beginning the season on a minor league contract with the Diamondbacks, he was released for the first time this year in May after appearing in 18 MLB games for Arizona. A stint in Cincinnati didn’t go any better, as the Reds designated Hampson for assignment after about a month, but St. Louis then claimed Hampson off waivers near the end of June.
The release officially ends Hampson’s Cards tenure at 35 games, and he has gotten into 62 contests as a whole this year spread over his three different teams. This marks the least amount of action Hampson has received during a regulation-length MLB season since his 2018 rookie year, when he debuted with 24 games with the Rockies. His ability to play all over the diamond should keep getting Hampson looks on minor league contracts, even if it may be hard for him to escape the proverbial “last man on the roster” status.
Bad player
Really bad look for the Cards that we had Helman in the organization earlier this season and gave up on him in May. Thought they could find something with Hampson who let’s face it, is a quadruple A player. Now Helman’s playing CF for the hottest team in baseball contributing everyday
Helman sucks, period. The Cardinals have Victor Scott who actually has potential and is about 5 years younger. And a great defensive CF. They should bench him to ride the wave of a 29 year old flash in the pan? During what they knew would be a lost season? And they have another guy at AAA Siani who is also younger and can actually play gold glove quality defense? They should have cast those guys aside for this flash in the pan? Just celebrate Helman’s current good fortune because based on his career stats, it won’t last. Next you’ll be crying about the Cardinals giving up on Jeremy Hazelbaker.
I’d love to be a bad player and make over six million bucks 🙂
He is not a bad player. But he is limited, had a nice season in his career more than most can say.
Bring up JJ!