Re: Minor League News 2026

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Raniel Rodriguez being promoted to AA Springfield

wow; was already the youngest player in A ball at 19 (and will be 19 all year), and now headed to AA

at 19....just wow

I am sure the DeWitts told the front office to promote him so they could showcase him.
Got to maximize the big mid season trade for that sweet sweet cash.

[ghostrunner]

If it meant some quality pitching in return, I wouldn't be opposed.

[CardsofSTL]

I think it is the first of a series of moves. I hope one of them includes Crooks to St. Louis and Pages to 3rd string. Pozo was signed on a split deal so they can send him down.

[CardsofSTL]

I like this write up

Standing stout at 5-foot-10, Rodriguez packs a punch from the right side. He doesn’t need much lower-half movement to get firing, relying on his strength and bat speed to punish baseballs with consistency. Not only does he hit the ball hard for his age (104.2 mph 90th-percentile exit velocity at Single-A), but he also elevates and pulls the ball regularly, leading to high homer totals and slugging percentages. His eyes can light up against fastballs, leading to some chase against heat, but he makes enough hard contact and keeps from biting more often on softer stuff to balance it out for what should be at least an above-average offensive profile.

Like many young backstops, Rodriguez still has a ways to go on the defensive side, especially when it comes to framing. But he can get balls out quickly and accurately and has thrown out at least 30 percent of attempted basestealers in each of his first two full seasons. The Cardinals may run him out on the infield to test out his athleticism and see if there’s a path for his already quick-moving bat.

[CardsofSTL]

[CardsofSTL]

We should trade for Jesus Made and get him in a tandem with Church.

[WAR God]

@phins

This is pretty much the definition of a “bad body” yeah?

To be that stout already at that age. I don’t know if playing anywhere in the field is in the long-term cards.

[cardsfantx]

I’m obv not Phins, but I’ve watched him quite a bit…He’s built, but not in a stout/fat way. It’s muscle. He’s got those powerful legs like Herrera.

He’s basically the same height as Yadi, Herrera, so good size for a catcher. The reports are he’s very gifted defensively so any talk of moving him off catcher just to promote that bat, would be foolish. Esp with a young team not really trying to complete and a lockout on the horizon.

BUT if he does end up ever needing to move off catcher, then you don’t see a lot of 5’11” 1st baseman; so DH becomes a real possibility (unless they want to try out the OF or even 3b, as that looks like a need as Gorman still can’t make consistent contact)

(And I know the avg are around the same of 6’ for C and 1st baseman currently, but I do think you want a tall target over there if at all possible)

[phins]

If he has to move off C, he's moving to "stick" for the most part.

His body is fairly maxed out physically for a guy his age. I think he's flexible and athletic enough to stick behind the plate. Framing is rough but that is reducing in impact. Has a quick release and strong enough arm.

But yes, I agree the body is maxed out already. Fortunately, his power is already meaningful in games and will play even if it doesn't mature much more.

Rainiel is a risk of moving off catcher if you don't want to wait for the glove to grow and get the bat up. I'd let him cook and season the glove personally.

[CardsofSTL]

Mike Antico (OF) has been released by the Memphis Redbirds.

1B Jack Gurevitch has moved from Palm Beach to Peoria.

Springfield Cardinals released C Carlos Linarez ahead of the Raniel Rodriguez promotion.