The Cardinals added four prospects to their 40-man roster on Rule 5 protection day: Outfielder Joshua Baez, catcher Leonardo Bernal, and left-handers Cooper Hjerpe and Brycen Mautz. They needed to open one spot, so they designated reliever Jorge Alcala for assignment.
St. Louis signed Bernal as an international free agent in 2021. MLB.com ranks him 4th among the organization’s prospects. Bernal hit .270 with 10 home runs over 96 games at High-A in 2024, earning a bump to Double-A. He scuffled to a 64 wRC+ in a brief sample with Springfield. Bernal was back with the Double-A squad this past season. He put together a league-average performance in terms of wRC+, while chipping in 13 home runs and 13 steals. The 21-year-old has shown decent base-stealing prowess for a catcher, swiping 20 bags over the past two years.
The Cardinals selected Baez in the second round of the 2021 draft. He’s the team’s 11th-ranked prospect on MLB.com. A bloated strikeout rate held Baez back in his first few professional seasons, but he got the contact in check this past season. After three straight years with a strikeout rate above 34%, Baez trimmed it to 20.6% across two levels in 2025. He also showed a new level of power, reaching 20 home runs between High-A and Double-A. Baez had totaled 24 home runs in his previous four professional seasons. He also racked up 54 stolen bases this past year.
Hjerpe is one of the team’s top arms in the minors, but he’s currently on the shelf after undergoing Tommy John surgery back in April. The lefty sits at 13th on MLB.com’s prospect list. Hjerpe was a first-rounder back in 2022. He posted a solid 3.27 ERA between High-A and Double-A in 2024. Hjerpe had a strikeout rate above 35% at both stops.
Mautz was taken in the second round back in 2022. He’s immediately jumped into a workhorse role as a professional, making at least 23 starts in all three of his seasons. Mautz struggled to a 5.18 ERA at High-A in 2024, but bounced back with his best season yet this past year. The lefty posted a 2.98 ERA with a career-best 28.6% strikeout rate across 114 2/3 innings at Double-A in 2025. The 24-year-old is a candidate to make starts at the big-league level at some point next season.
Alcala was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox back in August. He was knocked around in 15 appearances with the Cardinals, recording a 5.02 ERA. The 30-year-old had spent his entire MLB career with the Twins heading into 2025. He was dealt to Boston in June and made 19 appearances for the team before being designated for assignment and landing in St. Louis.
It’s interesting that Hjerpe and Mautz got put on the 40-man. If I am not mistaken, they are both injured and had surgery. But glad with moves anyway.
Both were going to be Rule 5 draft eligible and there is no major league IL during the offseason
Thought the same thing. Would have liked to get another look at Alcalà; he’s got a live arm…with minimal control, of course.
Uncle Charlie- Agree with Alcala, but they wanted to protect the prospects. Hjerpe was their 1st rounder a few years ago, I remember when the Cards drafted him I was hoping he would be the next Chris Sale.
Mautz is not injured and was a huge part of Springfield winning the AA championship. Perhaps you’re thinking of Robberse, who’s also injured and needing a 40-man spot.
I liked Alcala too, but he was a due a raise on $1.5M via arbitration and probably would’ve been a non-tender anyhow.
Thanks mack423 for that clarification. GO CARDS!
I bet it was Sem instead. Good catch.
Those are the future rotation possibly if they can stay healthy. Mautz put up great numbers at AA Hjerpe has potential, but he hasnt been healthy which is concerning. Still a first round pick who was great at Oregon State
Mautz was part of the Texas League Champion Springfield Cardinals team this year. He pitched really well and formed a nice 1-2 punch with Ixan Henderson.
Mautz isn’t injured
Would have liked to see Pete Hansen protected too, but I understand why they didn’t. His ceiling is limited but I can see him as a long-term backend starter.
I would have liked to have seen him protected as well. Hasnt had a bad season and hasnt had injury concerns.
I feel like 10 or 15 years ago he would’ve been an easy choice to protect, but his lack of a plus fastball really limits his prospect status these days. He very well could end up being a left-handed Jake Woodford, but I like him.
No he wouldn’t. He’s AAAA fodder.
Mr. & Mrs. Hjerpe = the “Herpes?”
Good one, Billy!
Could see someone taking a shot on Hansen or blaze jordan. Hopefully roster crunch for everybody keeps that from happening.
I didn’t realize Blaze was eligible this year. I hope all the other teams being in a crunch for spots allows him to stay in the org.
It would SUCK to loose blaze after just getting him
Blaze is not nearly ready to be on a MLB roster for a full season. Hansen is JAG.
With a reset housecleaning offseason, Baez has a shot at significant MLB at bats next year.
And I’m totally here for it. I think he’s going to be a good player in MLB.