Possible 2026 AAA Memphis starting rotation

[82birds]

Rajcic in AAA?
he'd have to do some big improving.

Wouldn't be surprised if we lose Winquest in the Rule 5

[craviduce]

Rajcic in AAA?
he'd have to do some big improving.

Wouldn't be surprised if we lose Winquest in the Rule 5

he ended the year in AAA...8 starts I think? He's depth in the rotation, they'll need someone to take the ball every 6 days.

[DewittDaman11]

I'm thinking the AA rotation may look like:
Doyle, Thompson, Winquest, Lin and Rincon.
A+ rotation: Clarke, Davis, Dohm, Franklin and Molina. I guess Savacool is probably in that mix.
And A is pretty hard to tell, maybe: Dutkanych, Sequera, Van Dyke, and then maybe Odle and Sparks.

Besides the Memphis rotation, I'm kinda diggin' on the possible Peoria starters, as I really like all of the initial 5 I mentioned. Seems like some good strikeout potential in all of those arms. And Springfield will be interesting just because of Doyle, more strikeout potential. I guess Lin has strikeout stuff, as well, I just hope the rest of his game improves.

Still hoping Boom brings in a few more arms before the season starts, really hoping to get back to the Cardinals old philosophy of pitching, pitching and more pitching, with some sprinkles of great defense, timely hitting and a little pop. Boring, but, affective.

[Talkin' Baseball]

I'm thinking the AA rotation may look like:
Doyle, Thompson, Winquest, Lin and Rincon.
A+ rotation: Clarke, Davis, Dohm, Franklin and Molina. I guess Savacool is probably in that mix.
And A is pretty hard to tell, maybe: Dutkanych, Sequera, Van Dyke, and then maybe Odle and Sparks.

Besides the Memphis rotation, I'm kinda diggin' on the possible Peoria starters, as I really like all of the initial 5 I mentioned. Seems like some good strikeout potential in all of those arms. And Springfield will be interesting just because of Doyle, more strikeout potential. I guess Lin has strikeout stuff, as well, I just hope the rest of his game improves.

Still hoping Boom brings in a few more arms before the season starts, really hoping to get back to the Cardinals old philosophy of pitching, pitching and more pitching, with some sprinkles of great defense, timely hitting and a little pop. Boring, but, affective.

I'm pretty sure those lists have at least 2-3 effective major league starting pitchers on them.

[craviduce]

I'm thinking the AA rotation may look like:
Doyle, Thompson, Winquest, Lin and Rincon.
A+ rotation: Clarke, Davis, Dohm, Franklin and Molina. I guess Savacool is probably in that mix.
And A is pretty hard to tell, maybe: Dutkanych, Sequera, Van Dyke, and then maybe Odle and Sparks.

Besides the Memphis rotation, I'm kinda diggin' on the possible Peoria starters, as I really like all of the initial 5 I mentioned. Seems like some good strikeout potential in all of those arms. And Springfield will be interesting just because of Doyle, more strikeout potential. I guess Lin has strikeout stuff, as well, I just hope the rest of his game improves.

Still hoping Boom brings in a few more arms before the season starts, really hoping to get back to the Cardinals old philosophy of pitching, pitching and more pitching, with some sprinkles of great defense, timely hitting and a little pop. Boring, but, affective.

it's tough guessing on the rotations....there's always more arms than slots (you assume most of the teams will go with a 6 man rotation for a 6 game work week). Your list is really good, can't argue against those guys...but what about the others? That's the tough parts

Where do Graham, Young and Crossland start (2025 picks). Maybe one of those is BP piece, but you'd assume they're all starters...all look promising (for now), especially Crossland. Is Holliday finally healthy? Does Findlay get a shot to Start? Does Herrera get a chance again in PMB rotation or does stay in the BP ; His stuff? Does Sequerra get held back after a really good go as a 18yo in Palm Beach? What of Saladin, Salas, Davila in Peoria? Where do Franco and Lopez fit in---do they make it to FCL or stay in the DSL?

There's some thinning that needs to occur. There's time. But I think the first 3 and Sequerra have spots...and need to be in some rotation.

Also.... Holiday, Hjerpe, Hence...all back from injury...in need of rehab

edit ~ Van Dyke is the Stetson kid? IIRC....I liked him last year after the draft. He was closer I think in college...so starting is new one for him. Looked better than Sparks did starting. Sparks btw, looked great in the BP in 2024...much better than starting in 2025.

[DewittDaman11]

I'm thinking the AA rotation may look like:
Doyle, Thompson, Winquest, Lin and Rincon.
A+ rotation: Clarke, Davis, Dohm, Franklin and Molina. I guess Savacool is probably in that mix.
And A is pretty hard to tell, maybe: Dutkanych, Sequera, Van Dyke, and then maybe Odle and Sparks.

Besides the Memphis rotation, I'm kinda diggin' on the possible Peoria starters, as I really like all of the initial 5 I mentioned. Seems like some good strikeout potential in all of those arms. And Springfield will be interesting just because of Doyle, more strikeout potential. I guess Lin has strikeout stuff, as well, I just hope the rest of his game improves.

Still hoping Boom brings in a few more arms before the season starts, really hoping to get back to the Cardinals old philosophy of pitching, pitching and more pitching, with some sprinkles of great defense, timely hitting and a little pop. Boring, but, affective.

it's tough guessing on the rotations....there's always more arms than slots (you assume most of the teams will go with a 6 man rotation for a 6 game work week). Your list is really good, can't argue against those guys...but what about the others? That's the tough parts

Where do Graham, Young and Crossland start (2025 picks). Maybe one of those is BP piece, but you'd assume they're all starters...all look promising (for now), especially Crossland. Is Holliday finally healthy? Does Findlay get a shot to Start? Does Herrera get a chance again in PMB rotation or does stay in the BP ; His stuff? Does Sequerra get held back after a really good go as a 18yo in Palm Beach? What or Saladin, Salas, Davila in Peoria? Where do Franco and Lopez fit in---do they make it to FCL or stay in the DSL?

There's some thinning that needs to occur. There's time. But I think the first 3 and Sequerra have spots...and need to be in some rotation.

Also.... Holiday, Hjerpe, Hence...all back from injury...in need of rehab

Oh yeah, forgot about Crossland and Young, probably destined for Palm Beach. I agree with all your points, Crav, especially that they will have to thin the heard, and I'm also wondering if we see a switch to the BP for maybe a Hjerpe or Hence when that return. Probably too early, but, I would switch Hence, for sure.

[Talkin' Baseball]

There will be more than one interesting name added to your list this winter. As you mention, at some point we will need to thin the herd. At that time we will probably start to trade some pitching prospects that other teams actually value for more established players to fill holes. It's a process. They are doing this correctly in my view.

[Hoosier59]

The Cardinals have so many lefties that it’s hard to imagine them not adding one or two of them in a deal to sweeten the return. There’s no way all of them will eventually be in the Cardinals rotation. It’s up to Bloom and his guys to figure out which ones to keep, and which ones to trade. Let’s hope they are better at it than the former regime.

[Hoosier59]

Rotation...

Mathews
Henderson
Mautz
Rajcic (maybe he improves?)

those are probably your only guaranteed 4...and that's if Mathews doesn't make the 26man out of camp. Also, Leahy might be stashed in AAA at any given time during
I don't think Hansen makes it through the R5 draft...if he does then he may join the AAA rotation. Don't forget about Bedell and Robberse (who was re-signed to a Minor League deal last week).

I wouldn't start Hjerpe's rehab in AAA, but it'll probably be done.

#1- IF I legitimately thought that Hansen would be claimed, I would try to include him in a deal first.
#2- I'd sure like to forget about Bedell and Robberse.

I've lost track, where is Winquest ready to play- AA or AAA?

if he's healthy he's back to AA depth...I'd imagine.

Thanks. It seems like a pretty safe bet that when the trades are done there will be other arms to consider for the rotation. It's early, but never to early to be Talkin' Baseball!

yeah...there's no finality to my list or any list for that matter. Trades, R5 Drafts, Injuries, Promotions, etc...all factor in.

I wish I was here for Spring Training this year. This is going to be fun one.

I’m going for the first, never could get away at that time of year before. Should be fun!
Anybody got any advice?

[cardstatman]

Inventory (2023-2025 stats all levels)

ERA WHIP IP Age Pitcher
3.99 1.293 496.2 25 McGreevy - incumbent
3.58 1.264 389.1 25 Hansen - questionable velocity; exposed to R5
3.92 1.299 385.2 24 Racjic - exposed to R5
3.65 1.166 367.0 24 Rincon - exposed to R5
4.52 1.410 378.0 27 Pallante - incumbent
3.78 1.225 371.1 26 Fitts - acquired
4.43 1.357 364.0 26 Liberatore - incumbent
3.97 1.295 351.1 24 Mautz
4.90 1.487 312.0 26 Graceffo
4.43 1.450 311.0 27 Cornwell - exposed to R5
4.73 1.299 266.1 26 Bedell - exposed to R5
2.43 1.148 251.2 24 Henderson
4.54 1.394 249.2 29 Leahy
3.16 1.209 242.1 25 Mathews
4.20 1.347 212.1 26 Winquest - exposed to R5
5.55 1.594 207.2 27 Thompson - exposed to R5
3.59 1.236 200.2 23 Hence
4.37 1.240 179.0 24 Roby
3.38 1.179 93.1 25 Hjerpe

My frontrunners for STL
3.99 1.293 496.2 25 McGreevy - incumbent
4.52 1.410 378.0 27 Pallante - incumbent
3.78 1.225 371.1 26 Fitts - acquired
4.43 1.357 364.0 26 Liberatore - incumbent
3.16 1.209 242.1 25 Mathews

My frontrunners for MEM
3.58 1.264 389.1 25 Hansen - questionable velocity; exposed to R5
3.92 1.299 385.2 24 Racjic - exposed to R5
3.65 1.166 367.0 24 Rincon - exposed to R5
3.97 1.295 351.1 24 Mautz
2.43 1.148 251.2 24 Henderson