Minor League Pitchers in the Cardinals System to Get Excited About

[Carp4Cy]

The Cardinals have a pretty good stash of exciting pitchers in the system who are close / getting close to being major league ready. In no particular order:

Brycen Mautz:

Had a really good season this past year at AA Springfield. He went 8-3 with a 2.98 ERA and 134k's in 114.2 Inning pitched. Definitely took a big step forward this year. Seems like he's destined for AAA in 2026, but I hope we get to see him in Spring training.

Ixan Henderson:

Was maybe the best pitcher in the Texas League (AA) this past season. He led the league in ERA. His stats: 9-7 with a 2.59 ERA with 134 k's in 132 innings. He was no slouch in 2024 either when he went 8-4 with a 2.34 ERA and 105 k's in 104 innings across A and A+. Career 2.44 ERA in the minors in 239.2 innings pitched.

Braden Davis:

Very nice strikeout pitcher with great success across A and A+ this past year. I assume he is destined for AA in 2026. in 2025 he went 5-3 with a 2.85 ERA and 153 k's in 110.1 innings pitched. That's a K per 9 of 12.5! His Hits per 9 was only 5.3 and Homeruns per 9 was 0.5 - All excellent. his struggle is BB per 9 which was 6.4. If he can dial the control in a little, he can be an all star level starter. 12.5 K/9 over a 200 inning season is 278K's!!!


Quinn Matthews:

The darling of 2024 took a little step backwards in 2025, but was still really good. He had some health problems whichi limited him to only 99.0 Innings, but he finished with a record of 4-7 with a 3.73 ERA and 115 K's. Hopefully a HEALTHY Matthews will fight hi way into a rotation spot in 2026 for the MLB team.


Tekoah Roby:

Health, or lack thereof, has been the story of Roby for the last few years. He took great strides this past year though across AA and AAA. He finished with a 7-4 record, a 3.10 ERA and 87 K's in 78.1 innings pitched. It seems he will have a chance in spring training to gun for the rotation as well.


Tink Hence:

Don't give up on him yet. He's still only 23 years old. Yes, health has been bad. Yes, maybe he's better suited for the bullpen. But when healthy he's still really good. Pitched this year across 4 levels Rookie - AA to the tune of a 2.95 ERA and 24 k's in 21.1 innings. Career ERA in the minors of 3.25 over 257.1 innings and 327 K's in that period. If healthy, 2026 could be a big step forward and he could find himself knocking on the door in St. Louis.


That's 6 arms not named Doyle that I am excited about. I think the Cardinals could find themselves in a nice position with some real homegrown talent int he rotation for the next 5 years.

Who would you add to the list?

Roby is hurt until 2027. Just had TJ

[hornetfb52]

Am I close here:
AAA: Matthews, Hence, Henderson, Mautz
AA: Doyle, Hjerpe, Rincon, Lin
A+: Clarke, Franklin, Davis, Saladin, Dohm

[craviduce]

Am I close here:
AAA: Matthews, Hence, Henderson, Mautz
AA: Doyle, Hjerpe, Rincon, Lin
A+: Clarke, Franklin, Davis, Saladin, Dohm

not sure where they start Hence...and if he's even healthy.

Davis might be in AA.

Other than that, you did well. Very, Very close....your list could be spot on. Just the Hence health Question Mark

[Talkin' Baseball]

Will Dutkanych start in low, or high A?

[rockondlouie]

Am I close here:
AAA: Matthews, Hence, Henderson, Mautz
AA: Doyle, Hjerpe, Rincon, Lin
A+: Clarke, Franklin, Davis, Saladin, Dohm

not sure where they start Hence...and if he's even healthy.

Davis might be in AA.

Other than that, you did well. Very, Very close....your list could be spot on. Just the Hence health Question Mark

Whereever they start him it shouldn't be starting but rather in the pen' as Closer!

Been saying this for over two years now (I couldn't resist duce ).

[wschreiber]

I saw where Crav mentioned Dutkanych yesterday. Thanks for that, you are the best Crav. Looked him up, Dutkanych has a lot of talent. Curious where he lands in 26.

[craviduce]

Will Dutkanych start in low, or high A?

the best he did last year was all PC monitored. I can see world where he starts Low A for 5 or 6 starts (April), then on to High A.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Will Dutkanych start in low, or high A?

the best he did last year was all PC monitored. I can see world where he starts Low A for 5 or 6 starts (April), then on to High A.

Thanks. He's a long way from the majors, but he is as interesting as anybody they have.

[hornetfb52]

Am I close here:
AAA: Matthews, Hence, Henderson, Mautz
AA: Doyle, Hjerpe, Rincon, Lin
A+: Clarke, Franklin, Davis, Saladin, Dohm

not sure where they start Hence...and if he's even healthy.

Davis might be in AA.

Other than that, you did well. Very, Very close....your list could be spot on. Just the Hence health Question Mark

Whereever they start him it shouldn't be starting but rather in the pen' as Closer!

Been saying this for over two years now (I couldn't resist duce ).

I’m in complete agreement. Pretty close for Hjerpe to start his career as a bullpener as well once he returns from injury

[hornetfb52]

Really want to see Matthews come out and show his 2024 self with regards to health and control. Would like to see him in the STL rotation around all star break time.

[rockondlouie]

Am I close here:
AAA: Matthews, Hence, Henderson, Mautz
AA: Doyle, Hjerpe, Rincon, Lin
A+: Clarke, Franklin, Davis, Saladin, Dohm

not sure where they start Hence...and if he's even healthy.

Davis might be in AA.

Other than that, you did well. Very, Very close....your list could be spot on. Just the Hence health Question Mark

Whereever they start him it shouldn't be starting but rather in the pen' as Closer!

Been saying this for over two years now (I couldn't resist duce ).

I’m in complete agreement. Pretty close for Hjerpe to start his career as a bullpener as well once he returns from injury

Let's also add Roby who can't seem to stay healthy either.

[Cusecards]

Great thread!
Always appreciate the minor league info you guys provide.

[TheFantasyStud]

Kind of fun to think of a rotation of


Doyle
Clarke
Liberatore
McGreevy
Mathews