Future pitching

[C-Unit]

By 2027-28, where could we stand?

Here's how I see it:

____________________________

Tier A (potential top of rotation starters):
- Doyle

Tier B (potential #3-5 starters):
- Liberatore
- McGreevy
- Fitts
- Dobbins

Tier C (mlb wildcards):
- May

---------

Tier D (minor league potential SP):
- Mautz
- Henderson
- Hansen
- Bedell

Tier E (minor league high ceiling arms):
- Brandon Clarke
- Fajardo
- Chen Wei-Lin

____________________________

Tier F (controllable relievers):
- O'Brien
- Svanson
- Graceffo

- Raquet?
- Pushard?
- Fernandez?

Tier G (minor league potential RP):
- Granillo
- Shuster
- Gastelum
- Findlay

______________________________

Tier H (minor league wildcards):
- Mathews
- Hjerpe
- Roby
- Hence

______________________________

Let's see:

- I'm sure I could have rattled off more names for Tier D (or Tier G).
- In Tier E, I see these as pitchers who it would be a bonus if they developed as SP, but they have good enough stuff that they should be effective anyway in an MLB pen one day. And it may be a likely outcome for them.
- In Tier H, my basecase is if we ever receive MLB contributions from 1 or 2 of these names we would be very fortunate. As Hjerpe and Roby come back from TJ, I keep a candle lit that one or both might become an effective reliever with their power stuff, similar to the pitchers in Tier E). I included Mathews in this group only because of how off he was last year with all the walks and the hinting of shoulder issues. It just does not sound like a sure thing at all with him, which is a shame.

It's a very rough list and names could be moved to other categories. But my bottomline is that by 2027-28, there seems to be a good spread of names, many with very high ceiling, that could indiscriminately serve to fillout various roles both rotation and bullpen. We might be very pleased. We may find ourselves a #2 starter (trade or sign) away from having a very outstanding pitching staff.

[Ozziesfan41]

By 2027-28, where could we stand?

Here's how I see it:

____________________________

Tier A (potential top of rotation starters):
- Doyle

Tier B (potential #3-5 starters):
- Liberatore
- McGreevy
- Fitts
- Dobbins

Tier C (mlb wildcards):
- May

---------

Tier D (minor league potential SP):
- Mautz
- Henderson
- Hansen
- Bedell

Tier E (minor league high ceiling arms):
- Brandon Clarke
- Fajardo
- Chen Wei-Lin

____________________________

Tier F (controllable relievers):
- O'Brien
- Svanson
- Graceffo

- Raquet?
- Pushard?
- Fernandez?

Tier G (minor league potential RP):
- Granillo
- Shuster
- Gastelum
- Findlay

______________________________

Tier H (minor league wildcards):
- Mathews
- Hjerpe
- Roby
- Hence

______________________________

Let's see:

- I'm sure I could have rattled off more names for Tier D (or Tier G).
- In Tier E, I see these as pitchers who it would be a bonus if they developed as SP, but they have good enough stuff that they should be effective anyway in an MLB pen one day. And it may be a likely outcome for them.
- In Tier H, my basecase is if we ever receive MLB contributions from 1 or 2 of these names we would be very fortunate. As Hjerpe and Roby come back from TJ, I keep a candle lit that one or both might become an effective reliever with their power stuff, similar to the pitchers in Tier E). I included Mathews in this group only because of how off he was last year with all the walks and the hinting of shoulder issues. It just does not sound like a sure thing at all with him, which is a shame.

It's a very rough list and names could be moved to other categories. But my bottomline is that by 2027-28, there seems to be a good spread of names, many with very high ceiling, that could indiscriminately serve to fillout various roles both rotation and bullpen. We might be very pleased. We may find ourselves a #2 starter (trade or sign) away from having a very outstanding pitching staff.

Tanner Franklin is considered high upside also

[hugeCardfan]

By 2027-28, where could we stand?

Here's how I see it:

____________________________

Tier A (potential top of rotation starters):
- Doyle

Tier B (potential #3-5 starters):
- Liberatore
- McGreevy
- Fitts
- Dobbins

Tier C (mlb wildcards):
- May

---------

Tier D (minor league potential SP):
- Mautz
- Henderson
- Hansen
- Bedell

Tier E (minor league high ceiling arms):
- Brandon Clarke
- Fajardo
- Chen Wei-Lin

____________________________

Tier F (controllable relievers):
- O'Brien
- Svanson
- Graceffo

- Raquet?
- Pushard?
- Fernandez?

Tier G (minor league potential RP):
- Granillo
- Shuster
- Gastelum
- Findlay

______________________________

Tier H (minor league wildcards):
- Mathews
- Hjerpe
- Roby
- Hence

______________________________

Let's see:

- I'm sure I could have rattled off more names for Tier D (or Tier G).
- In Tier E, I see these as pitchers who it would be a bonus if they developed as SP, but they have good enough stuff that they should be effective anyway in an MLB pen one day. And it may be a likely outcome for them.
- In Tier H, my basecase is if we ever receive MLB contributions from 1 or 2 of these names we would be very fortunate. As Hjerpe and Roby come back from TJ, I keep a candle lit that one or both might become an effective reliever with their power stuff, similar to the pitchers in Tier E). I included Mathews in this group only because of how off he was last year with all the walks and the hinting of shoulder issues. It just does not sound like a sure thing at all with him, which is a shame.

It's a very rough list and names could be moved to other categories. But my bottomline is that by 2027-28, there seems to be a good spread of names, many with very high ceiling, that could indiscriminately serve to fillout various roles both rotation and bullpen. We might be very pleased. We may find ourselves a #2 starter (trade or sign) away from having a very outstanding pitching staff.

Not sure why Tanner Franklin was left out of this equation, but, this is what TCN had to say about him:

Franklin is a special talent that the Cardinals organization spent years seemingly immune to. The big righty is meant to be on the mound, and he employs two pitches that are at least above average right now and one pitch that is elite, capable of carrying the rest. If Franklin can build up innings, develop more of a changeup, and live on the fringes of the zone then he’ll be a rotation mainstay in the near and foreseeable future. If not, then he’s at least a backend of the bullpen piece who will fire up a fanbase.

His FB is ML quality running upwards of 102, sitting upper 90's. His cutter was the highest velocity in NCAA last year at 93 mph. His slider/curve has significant vertical and horizontal movement. He could be a fast riser. His make up is exciting and at 6'5" he looks every bit the part.

[Cranny]

By 2027-28, where could we stand?

Here's how I see it:

____________________________

Tier A (potential top of rotation starters):
- Doyle

Tier B (potential #3-5 starters):
- Liberatore
- McGreevy
- Fitts
- Dobbins

Tier C (mlb wildcards):
- May

---------

Tier D (minor league potential SP):
- Mautz
- Henderson
- Hansen
- Bedell

Tier E (minor league high ceiling arms):
- Brandon Clarke
- Fajardo
- Chen Wei-Lin

____________________________

Tier F (controllable relievers):
- O'Brien
- Svanson
- Graceffo

- Raquet?
- Pushard?
- Fernandez?

Tier G (minor league potential RP):
- Granillo
- Shuster
- Gastelum
- Findlay

______________________________

Tier H (minor league wildcards):
- Mathews
- Hjerpe
- Roby
- Hence

______________________________

Let's see:

- I'm sure I could have rattled off more names for Tier D (or Tier G).
- In Tier E, I see these as pitchers who it would be a bonus if they developed as SP, but they have good enough stuff that they should be effective anyway in an MLB pen one day. And it may be a likely outcome for them.
- In Tier H, my basecase is if we ever receive MLB contributions from 1 or 2 of these names we would be very fortunate. As Hjerpe and Roby come back from TJ, I keep a candle lit that one or both might become an effective reliever with their power stuff, similar to the pitchers in Tier E). I included Mathews in this group only because of how off he was last year with all the walks and the hinting of shoulder issues. It just does not sound like a sure thing at all with him, which is a shame.

It's a very rough list and names could be moved to other categories. But my bottomline is that by 2027-28, there seems to be a good spread of names, many with very high ceiling, that could indiscriminately serve to fillout various roles both rotation and bullpen. We might be very pleased. We may find ourselves a #2 starter (trade or sign) away from having a very outstanding pitching staff.

Not sure why Tanner Franklin was left out of this equation, but, this is what TCN had to say about him:

Franklin is a special talent that the Cardinals organization spent years seemingly immune to. The big righty is meant to be on the mound, and he employs two pitches that are at least above average right now and one pitch that is elite, capable of carrying the rest. If Franklin can build up innings, develop more of a changeup, and live on the fringes of the zone then he’ll be a rotation mainstay in the near and foreseeable future. If not, then he’s at least a backend of the bullpen piece who will fire up a fanbase.

His FB is ML quality running upwards of 102, sitting upper 90's. His cutter was the highest velocity in NCAA last year at 93 mph. His slider/curve has significant vertical and horizontal movement. He could be a fast riser. His make up is exciting and at 6'5" he looks every bit the part.

Mathews, Hjerpe, and Roby are exciting possibilities.

[hornetfb52]

Matthews to tier B is my main argument. Hjerpe and Hence need to begin their trek to the bullpen.

[C-Unit]

By 2027-28, where could we stand?

Here's how I see it:

____________________________

Tier A (potential top of rotation starters):
- Doyle

Tier B (potential #3-5 starters):
- Liberatore
- McGreevy
- Fitts
- Dobbins

Tier C (mlb wildcards):
- May

---------

Tier D (minor league potential SP):
- Mautz
- Henderson
- Hansen
- Bedell

Tier E (minor league high ceiling arms):
- Brandon Clarke
- Fajardo
- Chen Wei-Lin

____________________________

Tier F (controllable relievers):
- O'Brien
- Svanson
- Graceffo

- Raquet?
- Pushard?
- Fernandez?

Tier G (minor league potential RP):
- Granillo
- Shuster
- Gastelum
- Findlay

______________________________

Tier H (minor league wildcards):
- Mathews
- Hjerpe
- Roby
- Hence

______________________________

Let's see:

- I'm sure I could have rattled off more names for Tier D (or Tier G).
- In Tier E, I see these as pitchers who it would be a bonus if they developed as SP, but they have good enough stuff that they should be effective anyway in an MLB pen one day. And it may be a likely outcome for them.
- In Tier H, my basecase is if we ever receive MLB contributions from 1 or 2 of these names we would be very fortunate. As Hjerpe and Roby come back from TJ, I keep a candle lit that one or both might become an effective reliever with their power stuff, similar to the pitchers in Tier E). I included Mathews in this group only because of how off he was last year with all the walks and the hinting of shoulder issues. It just does not sound like a sure thing at all with him, which is a shame.

It's a very rough list and names could be moved to other categories. But my bottomline is that by 2027-28, there seems to be a good spread of names, many with very high ceiling, that could indiscriminately serve to fillout various roles both rotation and bullpen. We might be very pleased. We may find ourselves a #2 starter (trade or sign) away from having a very outstanding pitching staff.

Not sure why Tanner Franklin was left out of this equation, but, this is what TCN had to say about him:

Franklin is a special talent that the Cardinals organization spent years seemingly immune to. The big righty is meant to be on the mound, and he employs two pitches that are at least above average right now and one pitch that is elite, capable of carrying the rest. If Franklin can build up innings, develop more of a changeup, and live on the fringes of the zone then he’ll be a rotation mainstay in the near and foreseeable future. If not, then he’s at least a backend of the bullpen piece who will fire up a fanbase.

His FB is ML quality running upwards of 102, sitting upper 90's. His cutter was the highest velocity in NCAA last year at 93 mph. His slider/curve has significant vertical and horizontal movement. He could be a fast riser. His make up is exciting and at 6'5" he looks every bit the part.

Thanks, I appreciate all the names people will add. Sounds like he belongs in Tier E.

[Jatalk]

I am hoping Libby can be a 1 or 2. He made some improvement last year.

[ramfandan]

I am hoping Libby can be a 1 or 2. He made some improvement last year.

Yes, and looking forward to seeing Doyle .. a lot of swing and miss
We haven’t seen that type pitcher on our staff for quite some time.

[2ninr]

It really is impossible to predict with any accuracy where these guys wind up. Look how far Hence has fallen

[rockondlouie]

By 2027-28, where could we stand?

Here's how I see it:

____________________________

Tier A (potential top of rotation starters):
- Doyle

Tier B (potential #3-5 starters):
- Liberatore
- McGreevy
- Fitts
- Dobbins

Tier C (mlb wildcards):
- May

---------

Tier D (minor league potential SP):
- Mautz
- Henderson
- Hansen
- Bedell

Tier E (minor league high ceiling arms):
- Brandon Clarke
- Fajardo
- Chen Wei-Lin

____________________________

Tier F (controllable relievers):
- O'Brien
- Svanson
- Graceffo

- Raquet?
- Pushard?
- Fernandez?

Tier G (minor league potential RP):
- Granillo
- Shuster
- Gastelum
- Findlay

______________________________

Tier H (minor league wildcards):
- Mathews
- Hjerpe
- Roby
- Hence

______________________________

Let's see:

- I'm sure I could have rattled off more names for Tier D (or Tier G).
- In Tier E, I see these as pitchers who it would be a bonus if they developed as SP, but they have good enough stuff that they should be effective anyway in an MLB pen one day. And it may be a likely outcome for them.
- In Tier H, my basecase is if we ever receive MLB contributions from 1 or 2 of these names we would be very fortunate. As Hjerpe and Roby come back from TJ, I keep a candle lit that one or both might become an effective reliever with their power stuff, similar to the pitchers in Tier E). I included Mathews in this group only because of how off he was last year with all the walks and the hinting of shoulder issues. It just does not sound like a sure thing at all with him, which is a shame.

It's a very rough list and names could be moved to other categories. But my bottomline is that by 2027-28, there seems to be a good spread of names, many with very high ceiling, that could indiscriminately serve to fillout various roles both rotation and bullpen. We might be very pleased. We may find ourselves a #2 starter (trade or sign) away from having a very outstanding pitching staff.

Good stuff, nice break down C-U!

C. Bloom has already done a great job landing some young, power arms that have some big upside potential IF they develop.

The odds are against the majority of them but if he hits on two or three who end up in the 2027-2028 SR w/one a #2 or higher, then he's well ahead in the re-build.

Then

Next up.........re-building the sorry, sorry outfield.

[sikeston bulldog2]

By 2027-28, where could we stand?

Here's how I see it:

____________________________

Tier A (potential top of rotation starters):
- Doyle

Tier B (potential #3-5 starters):
- Liberatore
- McGreevy
- Fitts
- Dobbins

Tier C (mlb wildcards):
- May

---------

Tier D (minor league potential SP):
- Mautz
- Henderson
- Hansen
- Bedell

Tier E (minor league high ceiling arms):
- Brandon Clarke
- Fajardo
- Chen Wei-Lin

____________________________

Tier F (controllable relievers):
- O'Brien
- Svanson
- Graceffo

- Raquet?
- Pushard?
- Fernandez?

Tier G (minor league potential RP):
- Granillo
- Shuster
- Gastelum
- Findlay

______________________________

Tier H (minor league wildcards):
- Mathews
- Hjerpe
- Roby
- Hence

______________________________

Let's see:

- I'm sure I could have rattled off more names for Tier D (or Tier G).
- In Tier E, I see these as pitchers who it would be a bonus if they developed as SP, but they have good enough stuff that they should be effective anyway in an MLB pen one day. And it may be a likely outcome for them.
- In Tier H, my basecase is if we ever receive MLB contributions from 1 or 2 of these names we would be very fortunate. As Hjerpe and Roby come back from TJ, I keep a candle lit that one or both might become an effective reliever with their power stuff, similar to the pitchers in Tier E). I included Mathews in this group only because of how off he was last year with all the walks and the hinting of shoulder issues. It just does not sound like a sure thing at all with him, which is a shame.

It's a very rough list and names could be moved to other categories. But my bottomline is that by 2027-28, there seems to be a good spread of names, many with very high ceiling, that could indiscriminately serve to fillout various roles both rotation and bullpen. We might be very pleased. We may find ourselves a #2 starter (trade or sign) away from having a very outstanding pitching staff.

Have you noticed. The Dodgers big claims to fame is their endless pitching staff. They have more pitchers on the IL than we do the staff.

Bloom is collecting pitchers. He’s following the Dodgers model. Saturation. Doesn’t matter their pedigree, what matters is a healthy arm.

I see this as clear as the driven snow.

[moose-and-squirrel]

It really is impossible to predict with any accuracy where these guys wind up. Look how far Hence has fallen

hence has fallen because of one ability.. availability

[Cranny]

It really is impossible to predict with any accuracy where these guys wind up. Look how far Hence has fallen

Or how good a pitcher can get with increased velocity, further developed secondary pitches, etc. How about a Cardinal prospect in 2017 who had an ERA of 4.31 and WHIP of 1.428 at Springfield? Gave up a hit per inning and struck out only 106 in 125 innings. Wasn’t considered a top pitching prospect in the season?

[2ninr]

It really is impossible to predict with any accuracy where these guys wind up. Look how far Hence has fallen

hence has fallen because of one ability.. availability

True. And in this case it COULD have been predicted because of his size. In fact It was mentioned by some sources. But he was still highly ranked.

[Cusecards]

By 2027-28, where could we stand?

Here's how I see it:

____________________________

Tier A (potential top of rotation starters):
- Doyle

Tier B (potential #3-5 starters):
- Liberatore
- McGreevy
- Fitts
- Dobbins

Tier C (mlb wildcards):
- May

---------

Tier D (minor league potential SP):
- Mautz
- Henderson
- Hansen
- Bedell

Tier E (minor league high ceiling arms):
- Brandon Clarke
- Fajardo
- Chen Wei-Lin

____________________________

Tier F (controllable relievers):
- O'Brien
- Svanson
- Graceffo

- Raquet?
- Pushard?
- Fernandez?

Tier G (minor league potential RP):
- Granillo
- Shuster
- Gastelum
- Findlay

______________________________

Tier H (minor league wildcards):
- Mathews
- Hjerpe
- Roby
- Hence

______________________________

Let's see:

- I'm sure I could have rattled off more names for Tier D (or Tier G).
- In Tier E, I see these as pitchers who it would be a bonus if they developed as SP, but they have good enough stuff that they should be effective anyway in an MLB pen one day. And it may be a likely outcome for them.
- In Tier H, my basecase is if we ever receive MLB contributions from 1 or 2 of these names we would be very fortunate. As Hjerpe and Roby come back from TJ, I keep a candle lit that one or both might become an effective reliever with their power stuff, similar to the pitchers in Tier E). I included Mathews in this group only because of how off he was last year with all the walks and the hinting of shoulder issues. It just does not sound like a sure thing at all with him, which is a shame.

It's a very rough list and names could be moved to other categories. But my bottomline is that by 2027-28, there seems to be a good spread of names, many with very high ceiling, that could indiscriminately serve to fillout various roles both rotation and bullpen. We might be very pleased. We may find ourselves a #2 starter (trade or sign) away from having a very outstanding pitching staff.

Interesting breakdown and appreciate the effort!
Fun stuff to think about/discuss as opposed to the gloom/doom/whining.

[hugeCardfan]

It really is impossible to predict with any accuracy where these guys wind up. Look how far Hence has fallen

Or how good a pitcher can get with increased velocity, further developed secondary pitches, etc. How about a Cardinal prospect in 2017 who had an ERA of 4.31 and WHIP of 1.428 at Springfield? Gave up a hit per inning and struck out only 106 in 125 innings. Wasn’t considered a top pitching prospect in the season?

Was that Sandy?