While the St. Louis Cardinals struggle at the major-league level, there’s a temptation to focus on the minor-league pipeline. The problem? The Cardinals’ farm system remains one of the weaker talent pools.
The Cardinals tried to get a head start on revamping their farm system by selling at last year’s trade deadline. A couple of those prospects helped fortify pitching depth, an area where the Cardinals are sorely lacking. Still, plenty of work remains down on the Cardinals’ farm.
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While the system is far from robust, some top prospects remain enticing. Let’s check in on them.
Tier 1: Moving on up
Sem Robberse, RHP
Current assignment: Triple-A Memphis
Keith Law rank: 9th on Cardinals Top 20
When the Cardinals traded for Robberse last July, they did so presuming the 22-year-old would be close to major-league-ready in 2024. Robberse’s hot start in Triple A (along with the Cardinals’ thin pitching depth) may expedite his pace. Robberse is 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA over eight starts, posting 47 strikeouts and an 0.99 WHIP over 47 2/3 innings.
St. Louis is without a true No. 5 starter, as Steven Matz is on the injured list with a protruding disc in his lower back. Matz, who received a second injection earlier in the week, is expected to miss the next few weeks. Matthew Liberatore has filled in as a spot starter, but if the Cardinals decide to rotate in a new option and slot Liberatore back to the bullpen, Robberse could be in line for the call.
"My dad taught me my mechanics by looking at Greg Maddux, Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens."
Netherlands native Sem Robberse has been dominant for the @memphisredbirds this season and it earned the @Cardinals' No. 12 prospect the Minor League Player Spotlight: https://t.co/R8eahmGA3v pic.twitter.com/WwRNpfsF9O
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 27, 2024
Tier 2: Right on track
Tink Hence, RHP
Current assignment: Double-A Springfield
Keith Law ranks: 73rd on MLB Top 100, 3rd on Cardinals Top 20
The 2024 season should be a springboard for Hence, who impressed in big-league camp during spring training and has carried that success into his second year in Double-A. Hence is 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA over 33 2/3 innings (seven starts) for Springfield. He’s allowed just two home runs and is averaging nearly 10 strikeouts per nine innings. His outstanding April, when he went 3-0 over five starts with a 2.10 ERA and a league-leading 31 strikeouts, netted him Minor League Baseball’s Texas League Pitcher of the Month award.
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The Cardinals have been strategic when it comes to Hence’s development. He was 17 years old when he was drafted in 2020 (in the same class that produced Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn and Alec Burleson) and the organization wants to ensure he isn’t rushed. In the meantime, the 21-year-old is putting up exactly the type of numbers he should be.
Tink Hence was absolutely UNREAL tonight. The #Cardinals number one prospect goes a career-long seven innings while striking out a career-high 10 batters.
Final line: 7.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 10 K pic.twitter.com/qllzh5Uudo
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) May 1, 2024
Thomas Saggese, INF
Current assignment: Triple-A Memphis
Keith Law rank: 4th on Cardinals Top 20
Saggese was another encouraging performer in big-league camp, notably for his strong bat-to-ball skills. Heading into play Wednesday, Saggese, 22, was hitting .252 with a .748 OPS. What’s been encouraging for Saggese is his five homers for Memphis. Throughout his minor-league career, Saggese has profiled for contact, not power. The bit of pop he’s showcased this season has been an interesting development, one the Cardinals will continue monitoring.
What’s also worth noting is where Saggese is playing defensively. He’s a sound utility infielder but had seen most of his reps at second base since being traded from the Texas Rangers organization at last year’s deadline. This year he’s played 26 of his 35 games at shortstop, which could be a nod to where the Cardinals see him fitting best in the big leagues. Masyn Winn has the starting shortstop position locked down, but veteran backup Brandon Crawford is only signed through the end of the season. After that, shortstop depth is remarkably thin.
With Tommy Edman slated to be the starting center fielder when he returns from elbow surgery, having Saggese eventually assume Edman’s prior role makes sense. Saggese isn’t knocking the door down for a call-up, but he’d be a name to watch in the second half of the season should the Cardinals become sellers at the deadline again.
Yesterday's @flymemphis Player of the Game, Thomas Saggese! pic.twitter.com/BGOOBgqe3v
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) May 12, 2024
Tier 3: Falling behind
Drew Rom, LHP
Current assignment: St. Louis Cardinals, 60-day IL
Keith Law ranks: Unranked
Rom was shut down in spring training with what was originally biceps soreness and underwent shoulder surgery in early May. He likely would not have made the Cardinals’ major-league roster, and instead would have opened the year with Memphis to bolster rotation depth. With Matz sidelined and Zack Thompson and Andre Pallante building up in the minor leagues, St. Louis certainly could have used Rom as an option as a spot starter.
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Spot starting is a role Rom became familiar with during his first stint in the majors, but both he and the team would prefer better results. Traded to St. Louis from the Baltimore Orioles, Rom made eight starts for the Cardinals but struggled, posting an 8.02 ERA while averaging over five walks per nine innings. There is hope Rom can return from surgery by the end of the season.
Victor Scott II, OF
Current assignment: Triple-A Memphis
Keith Law ranks: 55th on MLB Top 100, 2nd on team Top 20
To be clear, this is not an indictment of Scott or his potential. Nor is he really falling behind, in terms of long-term expectations. But he was exposed early when he was rushed up (out of dire need) to the majors three days before Opening Day. An outstanding defensive player, the Cardinals figured Scott would lag offensively. They did not figure he’d hit just .085/.138/.136 in 20 games.
Scott was optioned to Memphis in mid-April, as his bat was not ready for major-league pitching. He’s capable of playing center field at the major-league level, but the Cardinals need Scott to be a full-time player, not a role player. As he experiences Triple-A pitching for the first time, Scott is still working to adjust. Entering play Wednesday, he was hitting .205/.284/.301 through 19 games. The speed still checks though, as evidenced by his eight stolen bases.
The Cardinals still believe Scott, 23, will be a dynamic outfielder — in due time. For now, he’ll continue developing in Triple A.
(Photo of Sem Robberse: Rich Storry / Getty Images)
Katie Woo is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the St. Louis Cardinals. Prior to joining The Athletic, Katie spent two years covering the minor leagues as an editorial producer for MiLB.com and spent the 2018 MLB season covering the San Diego Padres as an associate reporter for MLB.com. She is a graduate of Arizona State University and originates from Northern California. Follow Katie on Twitter @katiejwoo
