Saggese to Memphis, Jose Barrero called up

[An Old Friend]

Just an FYI.

They want him playing everyday. Barrero also showing promise at AAA but will swing and miss.

[82birds]

I've been hoping for a swap of Baker for Barrero.
Baker adds nothing. Nothing.
Happy for Barrero though.

[Goldfan]

I thought the whole point of the season was TO LET THE YUTES PLAY HERE……this is so confusing…..

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

Just an FYI.

They want him playing everyday. Barrero also showing promise at AAA but will swing and miss.

Thanks for sharing the news. I’m not sure what to think this team needs OPS.

[82birds]

The Cardinals will select Jose Barrero’s contract prior to Monday’s game with the Reds, according to reporter Francys Romero. Infielder Thomas Saggese will be optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding 26-man roster move, and the Cards will need to make another transaction to open up space for Barrero on the 40-man roster.

Though Saggese has hit .341/.364/.512 in 44 plate appearances this season, MLB.com’s John Denton writes that the Cardinals would prefer to have Saggese in everyday action at Triple-A rather than more sporadic playing time on a crowded roster. Injuries to Nolan Gorman and Masyn Winn opened the door for Saggese to get called up in early April, though now that both players are back in action, Saggese’s role would be reduced if he remained in St. Louis.

The situation implies that Barrero will be just a depth piece with the Cards, and his out-of-options status means that he might be facing a relatively quick trip to the waiver wire should St. Louis need to make another roster move. Still, the contract selection puts Barrero on track for what would be his first big-league appearance since the 2023 season. Barrero might even get a chance to face his old team during this upcoming series, as Barrero spent his entire pro career with the Reds before he was claimed off waivers from the Rangers back in March 2024.

A highly-regarded prospect during his time in Cincinnati’s farm system, Barrero has hit only .186/.242/.255 over 447 career PA in the majors from 2020-23. Between this lack of production and the rise of several other Reds infield prospects, Barrero found himself the odd man out. The move to Texas didn’t result in any big-league playing time last year, as Barrero was hampered by injuries and hit .188/.277/.346 in only 188 Triple-A plate appearances.

Barrero chose to become a minor league free agent following the season and quickly signed on with St. Louis on a minors contract. The change of scenery has worked so far, as Barrero’s bat came alive to the tune of a .301/.396/.530 slash line over 96 PA at Triple-A Memphis. Barrero has spent the large majority of his career as a shortstop, but he has a good chunk of experience as a second baseman and center fielder, and a handful of games at a third baseman and in right field.

[82birds]

hopefully in the next four games he bites the hand that drafted him

[BrockFloodMaris]

I thought the whole point of the season was TO LET THE YUTES PLAY HERE……this is so confusing…..

I think Nado still being here somewhat interferes with that strategy, for now. They thought they would have another roster spot available for a Yute. Hence, the MEM infielder shuttle.

[Jatalk]

I thought the whole point of the season was TO LET THE YUTES PLAY HERE……this is so confusing…..

I think Nado still being here somewhat interferes with that strategy, for now. They thought they would have another roster spot available for a Yute. Hence, the MEM infielder shuttle.

Correct it’s the Arenado problem. The infield is a log jam.

[ramfandan]

So Saggese will play everyday in Memphis? Yeah vs. AAA pitchers .
How will that improve him ?
So he hits .300. + vs those guys, will fans say ooooh look at that he is really tearing the cover off thr ball.
Then he is brought up again ti face the best pitchers in the world. He was doing decent now.

[The Nard]

What did he do to deserve this demotion? A couple of snafus in the field?
This guy can hit.

Simply unbelievable.

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

So Saggese will play everyday in Memphis? Yeah vs. AAA pitchers .
How will that improve him ?
So he hits .300. + vs those guys, will fans say ooooh look at that he is really tearing the cover off thr ball.
Then he is brought up again ti face the best pitchers in the world. He was doing decent now.

I agree with you. He was performing extremely well up here.

[82birds]

So Saggese will play everyday in Memphis? Yeah vs. AAA pitchers .
How will that improve him ?
So he hits .300. + vs those guys, will fans say ooooh look at that he is really tearing the cover off thr ball.
Then he is brought up again ti face the best pitchers in the world. He was doing decent now.

I agree with you. He was performing extremely well up here.

agree, both offensively and defensively.
you want Barrero up?
send Baker down.

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

So Saggese will play everyday in Memphis? Yeah vs. AAA pitchers .
How will that improve him ?
So he hits .300. + vs those guys, will fans say ooooh look at that he is really tearing the cover off thr ball.
Then he is brought up again ti face the best pitchers in the world. He was doing decent now.

I agree with you. He was performing extremely well up here.

agree, both offensively and defensively.
you want Barrero up?
send Baker down.

You know dang well I agree with that. Baker is a AAAA player.

[NYCardsFan]

All things considered, seems reasonable to me. In a very small sample (40 PAs), he had some pretty good batted-ball luck that somewhat inflated his BA, but it's been normalizing as the (still small) sample grows. Coming into today, his BABIP was .464 and his statcast xBA was .299--which is not bad, but it's not particularly good when combined with a 2.5% BB-rate (1 BB) and 39% O-swing%.

The main things he needs to work on in AAA are the same as last year: plate discipline, chase rate, drawing more BBs, and defense.

Probably will be better for his development to get regular playing time.

[Ozziesfan41]

I thought the whole point of the season was TO LET THE YUTES PLAY HERE……this is so confusing…..

It makes sense with Arenado on the team there’s no way they could get all of them enough playing time I don’t agree with most of what the team does but this i agree with. I wanted Barrero on the team ahead of Siani out of spring training anyway

[82birds]

So Saggese will play everyday in Memphis? Yeah vs. AAA pitchers .
How will that improve him ?
So he hits .300. + vs those guys, will fans say ooooh look at that he is really tearing the cover off thr ball.
Then he is brought up again ti face the best pitchers in the world. He was doing decent now.

I agree with you. He was performing extremely well up here.

agree, both offensively and defensively.
you want Barrero up?
send Baker down.

You know dang well I agree with that. Baker is a AAAA player.

that good?
I don't think so.