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Winn on Oquendo: “He’s a wizard, man. He’s actually Yoda.”
When it comes individuals throughout the Cardinals’ group who Masyn Winn seems like helped him enhance his protection, one identify got here to thoughts: Jose Oquendo. Oquendo — a former Cardinal and present minor-league fielding teacher with the identical group he performed 10 seasons for — owns the second highest fielding proportion (.9919) all-time for second baseman in Main League Baseball historical past.
Winn, who is understood for his sturdy throwing arm, ended the 2022 MiLB season with a .968 fielding proportion and dedicated 14 errors in 948 1/3 innings in comparison with the 24 errors he dedicated in 718 2/3 innings in 2021.
“It is superb. I believe every time he talks, everybody listens.” Winn mentioned. “The day I met him was the day I fell in love together with his teaching and the way he did issues. You bought guys from Yadier Molina, who performed for 20 years (and) Albert Pujols who has been taking part in endlessly, these guys hearken to Cheo the identical means I do. When you see legends like that listening to him, you actually to soak every thing up. I am a sponge round that man. All the things he has to say is I am making an attempt to take it in.” Daniel Guerrero (2:56 p.m.)
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2021 AFL success offers Thomas hope for MLB call-up after sturdy 2022 AFL displaying
The usage of a cutter he developed through the season with Class AAA Memphis and debuted within the Arizona Fall League led Connor Thomas to develop into the AFL Pitcher of the Yr and a spot on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster. He’ll have an opportunity to earn a spot within the Cardinals’ bullpen come spring and the trail that final yr’s rookie class had has given the lefty some promise for a call-up to the majors in 2023.
In 2021, prospects Nolan Gorman, Zack Thompson, Brendan Donovan, Andre Pallante, Jake Walsh, and Juan Yepez have been among the many gamers despatched to the prospects league alongside. All these prospects made their MLB debut the next season.
This previous AFL class for the Cardinals included Thomas, Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, Tink Therefore, Mike Antico, Kyle Leahy, Pedro Pages, and Ryan Loutos. Thomas is the one one of many group who was added to the 40-man roster heading into spring coaching.
“After I began that stat, I began liking my probabilities,” Thomas mentioned. “I believe that the mixing of younger guys for our crew subsequent yr is so large. And it is good that these guys final yr did so properly after they bought their alternatives as a result of it retains the door open for us developing. So I owe them quite a bit, too.” — Daniel Guerrero (2:36 p.m.)
New guidelines for pitchers are coming to Main League Baseball in 2023, and the St. Louis Cardinals catchers imagine the newly carried out pitch clock will make issues harder for his or her teammates each on the mound and the batter’s field.
Prime catching prospect Ivan Herrera had some expertise with the foundations that shall be carried out to main league play final season whereas taking part in with the Memphis Redbird. The minor leagues utilized the brand new rule set final season.
“I needed to get used to it,” the Panamanian catching prospect mentioned, “the toughest factor for me was ending an inning after which having to alter into my gear…it is good for some pitchers. However it’s not even about me. It is about successful, so I might relatively have my pitcher snug.”
Andrew Knizner, who’s poised to be the backup catcher for the Cardinals on opening day, is much less anxious concerning the affect on his pitching workers and extra about his teammates who hit.
“It will likely be more durable for hitters. That is simply my prediction.” Knizner mentioned on day one among Winter Heat-up, “Hitters appear to have extra of a slower pre-pitch routine. They step out, alter, argue a couple of name after which should get again within the field. So I believe wanting into subsequent season, the hitting aspect would be the largest adjustment…it’s going to be a studying curve.”
“I believe our pitchers do job managing tempo and tempo,” Knizner added, “I do not assume there will be many issues from a recreation calling aspect now the pitch comm, that is fairly environment friendly.” — Carter Chapley (2:06 p.m.)
Arenado: Rotation will form Cardinals probabilities
The query to Nolan Arenado was concerning the catcher the Cardinals added this offseason, however his reply flipped the script and mentioned what is going to form the season shall be who Willson Contreras catches.
What is going to carry the Cardinals as contenders is their arms, he mentioned.
“I believe all of it comes all the way down to our beginning pitching staying wholesome,” Arenado mentioned throughout his assembly with the media on the twenty sixth Winter Heat-up, his first with the Cardinals. “These guys are good. When you might have Jack (Flaherty) wholesome, he’s among the finest pitchers within the recreation. And I believe if we will get him proper – he says he feels nice, and he seems nice once I noticed him. Simply having that man go on the market and provides us a fantastic likelihood to win each time. Clearly Miles (Mikolas) is a horse. Mont (Jordan Montgomery). (Steven) Matz is wholesome.
“Dakota – I believe goes to have a bounce-back yr,” Arenado continued. “These guys are all working arduous and we want them. We’d like them to remain wholesome. Like I mentioned, lots of these groups which might be successful it looks as if their starters are capable of keep wholesome all year long or if they’ve any individual who is available in they’ve any individual who is available in and helps out and sustains successful for a little bit bit.
“If we will hold these guys wholesome – Waino (Adam Wainwright) simply doing his factor – we’re going to be alright.”
After electing to not meet the costs of beginning pitchers within the open market, the Cardinals have wager on the rotation they already had in place. Six starters from the earlier season return: Wainwright, Mikolas, Montgomery, Hudson, and two starters who completed the yr within the bullpen on account of accidents, Matz and Flaherty. On Saturday, John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations, mentioned his confidence in Flaherty was at an “all-time excessive.” He additionally added that Drew VerHagen shall be getting back from hip surgical procedure and given an opportunity to start out.
Jake Woodford, Matthew Liberatore, and a handful of different prospects like Connor Thomas and Michael McGreevy may also get ample innings this spring as a number of veterans depart for the World Baseball Traditional.
From amount, the Cardinals are banking on high quality rising.
The power of the crew is the help they’ve in place for that pitching.
“Our protection,” Arenado mentioned when requested concerning the power of the roster. “Our protection is, I believe, the very best within the recreation, and it has been the previous two years, in my eyes. I believe that’s our largest power proper now. We’ll see. Offense, we may actually take an enormous stride this yr. We’ve bought some younger guys who’re good ballplayers, and we want them to take huge strides. After which hopefully me and Goldy (Paul Goldschmidt) can do our factor.”
After which he introduced the reply again to the place the query began.
“Having Contreras is clearly going to make us so significantly better,” Arenado mentioned.
Wainwright and Mikolas will be part of Workforce USA for the WBC in March, and that frees up innings and begins throughout Grapefruit League play for Hudson and others to make their bids for a spot on the rotation. The Cardinals intend to enter the yr with Wainwright, Mikolas, Montgomery, Flaherty, and Matz because the five-man rotation. Mozeliak has lauded what is predicted from Montgomery in his first full season with the Cardinals and final season earlier than free company. Flaherty is on the identical level in his profession however coming off three abbreviated seasons.
Internally, the Cardinals imagine a wholesome Flaherty can lead a rotation.
The 2023 Cardinals go the place their arms level them.
“Nolan is spot on,” supervisor Oliver Marmol echoed. “A variety of it is going to come all the way down to that.”
— Derrick Goold (12:51 p.m.)
Donovan, who gained Gold, says Edman is ‘higher defender’
The Nationwide League’s first winner of the utility fielder Gold Glove Award recommended there was an excellent higher defender at his place — and on he is on the identical crew.
Brendan Donovan, the Cardinals’ versatile rookie who capped his first season within the majors because the inaugural winner of Rawlings’ latest defensive honor, mentioned he didn’t name or contact teammate Tommy Edman to brag about successful.
“Tommy is a greater defender,” Donovan mentioned, smiling Sunday as he cycled by the media room at this weekend’s Winter Heat-up. “You hit it to him, you are out.”
Edman and Donovan have been each finalists for the utility Gold Glove Award. Edman gained the Gold Glove at second base in 2021, however splitting his time between shortstop and second base made him eligible at two spots for the Gold Glove honor. Total, Edman led all major-league infielders in defensive runs saved, and he had one of many highest plus-minus scores of any fielder.
The place Donovan had the sting for the award was versatility.
As Rawlings, a St. Louis-based firm that has given out defensive hours for six a long time, sought to acknowledge utility fielders and the expanded use of gamers everywhere in the discipline, they did make a component of the award taking part in quite a few positions. With sturdy defensive metrics at third base and the outfielder, Donovan added to his time at second base. The looks at so many positions and regular play there put him forward of different candidates.
Donovan lauded Rawlings for beginning the award as a result of as he approached the majors he questioned if there can be a means gamers who dealt with a number of positions might be honored.
Shortly earlier than Rawlings introduced the creation of a utility Gold Glove, the Post-Dispatch had a story asking if it was time for such an award.
Rawlings will current the Gold Glove awards to Cardinals winners and the Platinum Glove Award to Nolan Arenado at Sunday evening’s St. Louis Baseball Writers’ Dinner. — Derrick Goold (12:10 p.m.)
Bat is essential, however DeJong will play a number of positions
Whether or not Paul DeJong leaves spring coaching on the Cardinals’ opening day roster shall be decided by his manufacturing on the plate, however to make it potential for him to contribute the All-Star shortstop will see time at different positions.
Cardinals supervisor Oliver Marmol mentioned that DeJong must work at positions across the infield in order that he can serve within the position had beforehand by Tommy Edman and Brendan Donovan. DeJong superior by the minors as a 3rd baseman earlier than a shift to shortstop at Class AA. He has expertise on the proper aspect of the bottom from the drills the Cardinals do for shifting gamers, and in faculty DeJong performed everywhere in the discipline.
Requested if DeJong would possibly get time within the outfield too, Marmol mentioned that DeJong will see time “everywhere in the infield. Within the filth.”
“By rule,” Marmol nodded.
DeJong has spent the winter in Jupiter, Fla., working intently with the Cardinals’ hitting coaches on the crew’s facility. He has been transforming each his swing and his strategy whereas additionally addressing a few of the power and well being that sophisticated latest years. Marmol mentioned he receives a report every day that provides the information obtain on DeJong’s exercise and the place the features or adjustments are being made in his swing. — Derrick Goold (12:21 p.m.)
Herrera headed to WBC with Panama
Add one other Cardinal to the rising record of gamers who shall be leaving spring coaching to compete within the World Baseball Traditional, and may have an extended journey forward. Catching prospect Ivan Herrera shall be on Panama’s nationwide crew, he confirmed Sunday.
“I am excited to see what occurs,” Herrera mentioned. “I am completely happy to signify by nation. Taking part in for Panama is among the finest issues on the earth.”
Panama opens the event in Taiwan, and if it advances out of pool play the quarterfinals shall be in Tokyo. Panama’s pool consists of Italy, Chinese language Taipei, Cuba, and a robust Netherlands membership. — Derrick Goold (12:16 p.m.)
Michael McGreevy hopes to capitalize on World Baseball Traditional exodus
Cardinals pitching prospect Michael McGreevy plans to reap the benefits of the numerous Cardinals main leaguers leaving spring coaching for the World Baseball Traditional. “With the chance presenting itself, I undoubtedly wish to take benefit.” McGreevy, 22, mentioned, “Going into spring coaching, I am going to eat the crumbs if I’ve to. I wish to get as a lot publicity to huge league time as I can.”
McGreevy, 22, was a breakout star within the minor leagues final season, marking his first full yr as an expert. The 18th choose within the 2021 draft, McGreevy jumped from excessive A Peoria to AA Springfield after a wonderful begin to the season.
Whereas McGreevy was on a restricted pitch depend, he nonetheless pitched 144 innings in 28 video games final season, putting out 117 batters and earned a pitcher of the month award in April. —Carter Chapley (11:15 a.m.)
First Winter Heat-up ‘surreal’ for Therefore
For 20-year-old right-hander Tink Therefore, his introduction to Cardinals followers by the membership’s caravan stops and Winter Heat-up throughout the midwest has been a heat embrace for one of many group’s prime pitching prospects. Therefore pitched 52 1/3 innings with Class Low-A and posted a 1.39 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, and struck out 81 batters, however has but to pitch above the Low-A degree. Therefore is predicted to see a gradual improve in his workload by 2023 and the next degree of competitors in what shall be his second full season of minor-league baseball since getting drafted in 2020 behind Jordan Walker and Tink Therefore.
“You see lots of issues on Twitter concerning the followers,” Therefore mentioned. “I am going to watch the video games. I see the followers, however to simply to truly be there and simply be there and simply see they means embrace you and present love, there is no higher feeling than that.” — Daniel Guerrero (11:07 a.m.)
Nolan Arenado sees development in Lars Nootbaar, even inside winter
The thrill about Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar has unfold from St. Louis to Southern California to throughout the Pacific to Japan (and again to St. Louis, the place LA-based Japanese media flew in for Winter Heat-As much as write about “Noot”).
Nootbaar’s plan is to play for Team Japan within the World Baseball Traditional. The 25-year-old SoCal native, maybe you heard, broke out within the second half final season. In 200 at-bats he hit 10 homers and tallied an .846 OPS. Total, his 2022 OPS was .788.
The younger participant has befriended Cardinals celebrity Nolan Arenado. They’ve frolicked collectively within the sunny LA space, the place they each prepare.
“I’ve seen Noot work this offseason, and I simply assume he seems so significantly better swinging and hitting,” Arenado mentioned Sunday at Winter Heat-Up. “I imply, I believe he is bought an opportunity to be actually good on this recreation. I do. He is bought to exit and do it, he is aware of that. However the steps he’s made this offseason together with his swing and the way in which he seems? I bear in mind we hit earlier within the offseason, he seemed positive, seemed like ‘Noot.’ After which I used to be with him a pair weeks in the past, and I used to be like — wow, it seems a little bit bit totally different, you recognize? Sounds a little bit bit totally different. Strikes a little bit totally different. So I anticipate him to be an enormous piece for us.” – Benjamin Hochman (10:52 a.m.)
Intro to stay Cardinals protection at Heat-up
After a profitable first day of Winter Heat-up at Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village, day two is off to a quick begin. These anticipated to talk at the moment embrace Platinum Glove winner Nolan Arenado, supervisor Oliver Marmol, Gold Glove winner Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, prime prospect Tink Therefore, Dylan Carlson, and extra.
Verify again in all through the day for updates supplied by all members of the Publish-Dispatch crew. — Carter Chapley (10:03 a.m.)
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