Cardinals Add Pitchers Ramirez and Waddell; Promote Gorman, Other Up a Level
CARDINALS ADD PITCHERS RAMÍREZ & WADDELL; ELLEDGE & WOODFORD SENT TO MEMPHIS (AAA), NOGOWSKI IS D.F.A.
ST. LOUIS, MO., June 28, 2021 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced this afternoon that they have selected the contract of right-handed rookie pitcher Roel Ramirez from Memphis (AAA) and recalled rookie left-hander Brandon Waddell (pronounced wah-DELL) from Memphis. The team also optioned pitchers Seth Elledge and Jake Woodford to Memphis and designated first baseman John Nogowski for assignment.
Ramírez, 26, who debuted with the Cardinals in 2020, has worked 18 games in relief for the Memphis Redbirds this season, going 0-1 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in his 27.0 innings pitched. The 6-0, 220-pound Texas native has been especially good of late, posting a 0.63 ERA and 0.63 WHIP in nine June contests (14.1 IP) with 15 strikeouts and just three walks. Ramirez was acquired by the Cardinals from Tampa Bay on July 31, 2018 in a deal that also included Genesis Cabrera and Justin Williams.
Waddell, 27, was claimed on waivers from Baltimore on June 6. He has appeared in seven career games in the majors with Pittsburgh (2020), Minnesota (2021) and Baltimore (2021). In five relief appearances with Memphis this month, the 6-3, 180-pound Waddell has logged 7.0 innings pitched with a 2.57 ERA.
Ramírez wears uniform no. 77 and Waddell no. 70.
— STL —
My Thoughts: The Cardinals are scrambling to see what they have to help the pitching. The rotation isn’t going deep into games and the bullpen is struggling to make up the innings and hold leads. Fresh arms could help, but they need quality arms over quantity right now.
It’s too bad Nogowski didn’t work out; the former Indy League product didn’t get many chances, but was blocked at his primary position of first base. He probably will return to Memphis, as I don’t see a team claiming him on waivers.
CARDINALS PROMOTE THREE TOP MINOR LEAGUE HITTING PROSPECTS
Trio of Infielders Nolan Gorman, Malcom Nunez & Jordan Walker to Move Up One Level on Tuesday
ST. LOUIS, Mo., June 28, 2021 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that minor league infielders Nolan Gorman, Malcom Nuñez, and Jordan Walker have been promoted and will report to their respective teams on Tuesday. Nolan Gorman will advance to Triple-A Memphis, Malcom Nuñez to Double-A Springfield, and Jordan Walker to High-A Peoria.
Gorman, the organization’s top offensive prospect and number two overall player, was the club’s first round selection in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Sandra Day O’Connor HS (AZ). The 21-year-old, left-handed power hitter has played in 43 games for the Springfield Cardinals (AA) this season and has hit .288 (51-for-177) with 11 HR, 27 RBI and a .862 OPS. Since June 1, he has batted .301 with 8 HR and 17 RBI and earned Double-A Central Player of the Week honors for the weeks of June 7. The number 28 overall prospect in all of baseball has split his time between third base (23 starts) and second base (16 starts) this season.
Nuñez, signed as an international free agent out of Havana, Cuba in July 2018, ranks as the organization’s seventh-best hitting prospect and 13th overall. In 35 games with the Peoria Chiefs (A+) this season, the 20-year-old third baseman has batted .285 (39-for-137) with 15 extra-base hits, 20 RBI, 5 stolen bases and a .804 OPS. Nuñez and Gorman spent the 2020 season at the team’s Alternate Training Site in Springfield, Mo. during the pandemic that resulted in the cancellation of the minor league season.
Walker, the Cardinals’ 1st round selection in last year’s MLB Draft out of Decatur HS (GA), was recently named a Top 100 prospect by Baseball America in his first season of professional baseball. The 19-year-old third baseman has had a blistering start, slashing .374/.475/.687/1.162 in his first 27 games for the Palm Beach Cardinals (A) with 11 doubles, a triple, 6 HR, 24 runs scored and 18 RBI, despite missing 19 games from May 21-June 11 with a wrist injury. The 6-5, 220-pound Stone Mountain-native has twice been selected as Low-A Southeast Player of the Week this season (weeks of May 10 and June 14).
Fans won’t have to wait long to see all three prospects in action at their respective home ballparks as Memphis, Springfield and Peoria will play their upcoming series at home this week.
— STL —
My Take: It was only a matter of time. All 3 could have started the season where they are now, but the team wanted to be patient. It’ll be curious to see what position Gorman will play for Memphis; he’s seen time at second, third, and the outfield with Springfield.
