# Gomez, Walker, & Graceffo Named 2022 Cardinals Minor League Co-Players and Pitcher of the Year

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/gomez-walker-graceffo-named-2022-cardinals-minor-league-co-players-and-pitcher-of-the-year/
- Published: 2022-12-13T14:05:23-06:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

**MOISÉS GÓMEZ_, JORDAN WALKER, & GORDON GRACEFFO NAMED 2022 CARDINALS MINOR LEAGUE
CO-PLAYERS & PITCHER OF THE YEAR_**

**ST. LOUIS, Mo., December 13, 2022 **– The St. Louis Cardinals announced today 
their 2022 Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year selections, honoring outfielder**
[Moises Gomez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=gomez-003moi,gomez-002moi&search=Moises+Gomez&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)**,
third baseman/outfielder **[Jordan Walker](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=walker000jor&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)**
and right-handed starting pitcher **[Gordon Graceffo](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gracef000gor&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)**
for their accomplishments on the field. This marks the second straight year, and
the second time overall since the award’s inception in 1995, that co-recipients 
have been selected for Player of the Year honors.

“We are pleased to recognize Gordon Graceffo, Moisés Gómez, and Jordan Walker as
our organizational minor league Pitcher and co-Players of the Year,” said **John
Mozeliak**, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations. “Jordan and Moisés were 
standouts at the plate this season, putting up historic offensive numbers while 
Gordon quickly turned heads with his velocity and command in his first full professional
season. We are proud of how each player competed and developed this season and congratulate
them on their numerous accomplishments in 2022.”

Gómez, 24, had a breakout season slashing .294/.371/.624 with 39 home runs, 25 doubles,
94 RBI, 10 stolen bases and a .996 OPS across 120 games between Memphis (AAA) and
Springfield (AA). The Venezuelan native led all Cardinals minor league players in
home runs, RBI, extra-base hits (66), total bases (276), slugging and OPS and ranked
in the Top 5 in runs (89, 3rd), hits (130, 4th) and doubles (25, T5th). Gómez’s 
39 home runs led all of Minor League Baseball and were the most in a single-season
by a Cardinals minor league player since the minor league system was reorganized
prior to the 1963 season, surpassing the 37 homers hit by OF **_Tyrone Horne_** 
between Memphis (AAA) and Arkansas (AA) in 1998.

After hitting .321 with 23 home runs, 54 RBI, and a 1.106 OPS in 60 games to start
the season at Springfield, Gómez was promoted to Memphis on June 28. At the time
of his promotion, Gómez led the Texas League in homers, RBI, slugging percentage(.
705), OPS, extra-base hits (40) and total bases (158), while ranking among league
leaders in average (4th), on-base percentage (7th, .401), doubles (T6th, 17) and
runs (5th, 53). He continued to put up solid numbers in his first stint at the Triple-
A level, hitting .266 with 16 home runs, 40 RBI, and a .882 OPS in 60 games. He 
was named the Cardinals April Minor League Player of the Month and the Texas League
April Player of the Month.

Following the season, Gómez was named the 2022 Texas League MVP and a Texas League
All-Star, becoming the fourth player in Springfield Cardinals history to capture
the league’s Player of the Year award, joining OF **_[Dylan Carlson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=carlsdy01,carlso001dyl&search=Dylan+Carlson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
2019), OF **_[Oscar Taveras](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=taveros01,tavera003osc&search=Oscar+Taveras&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
2012), and 1B **_[Matt Adams](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=adamsma01,y-----000mat&search=Matt+Adams&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
2011). In addition to being the 2022 MiLB Home Run King, he finished the season 
ranked among all minor leaguers in slugging (2nd), OPS (6th), and total bases (T6th).

Gómez is the sixth Latin-born Cardinals minor leaguer to win Player of the Year 
honors, joining 1B/OF **_[Juan Yepez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yepezju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
2021), OF **_[Magneuris Sierra](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sierrma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
2014), OF **_Oscar Taveras_** (2012), 3B **_[Albert Pujols](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
2000) and SS **_[Pablo Ozuna](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ozunapa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
1998). He was signed as a minor league free agent in November 2021 after spending
seven seasons in the Tampa Bay minor league system and joins 1B/OF **_Juan Yepez_**(
2021) and OF **_Tyler O’Neill_** (2018) as only the third Cardinals minor leaguer
who was not originally drafted or signed by the club to win the award. Entering 
2023, _Baseball America_ named him as the organization’s “Best Power Hitter” in 
their Best Tools Survey.

Walker, 20, slashed .306/.388/.510 with 19 home runs, 31 doubles, 22 stolen bases,
100 runs, 68 RBI and a .898 OPS across 119 games for Springfield (AA). The club’s
top prospect and _Baseball America’s_ seventh overall prospect ranked among Cardinals
minor league leaders in batting average (3rd), on-base percentage (9th), slugging(
7th), OPS (7th), hits (141, T2nd), extra-base hits (53, 3rd), home runs (5th), doubles(
T3rd), total bases (235, 2nd), runs (1st) and stolen bases (T5th). Walker’s 100 
runs scored led all Texas League players, set a Springfield franchise record and
were the most in a single-season by a Cardinals minor league player since 1998.

At just 19 years old, Walker opened the 2022 season as the youngest player in the
Texas League and was one of only two teenagers on an Opening Day Double-A roster.
He finished the season one homer shy of authoring Springfield’s first 20 HR/20 SB
season in team history. After manning the hot corner for the first 80 games of the
season, Walker started exclusively across all three outfield positions over his 
final 39 games, registering an impressive 10 assists. Following the season, Walker
was named the 2022 Texas League Top MLB Prospect and a Texas League All-Star and
was selected as the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year by _Baseball 
America_.

Walker was selected to the 2022 MLB All-Star Futures Game where he batted fourth
and started at third base. He also represented the Cardinals in the 2022 Arizona
Fall League, earned a selection to the AFL Fall Stars Game and was one of three 
outfielders named to the All-AFL Team after slashing .286/.367/.558 with five home
runs, six doubles, three stolen bases, 17 runs, 16 RBI and a .925 OPS across 21 
games for the Salt River Rafters.

Walker is the third Cardinals minor leaguer to win back-to-back Player of the Year
honors joining 1B **_[John Gall](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/galljo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
2002-03) and former top prospect OF **_[Colby Rasmus](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rasmuco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
2006-07). Entering 2023, _Baseball America_ ranked him as the organization’s top
overall prospect for the second consecutive season and named him as having the “
Best Outfield Arm” in their Best Tools Survey.

“Congratulations to both Jordan Walker and Moisés Gómez, selected as our 2022 co-
Players of the Year,” said Director of Player Development & Assistant General Manager,**
Gary LaRocque**. “Both Jordan and Moisés turned in outstanding seasons in Springfield
with Jordan selected as the Texas League All-Star at 3B and voted the Top Prospect
in the Texas League. Moisés earned All-Star honors as the DH and was voted the Texas
League MVP for 2022 before his promotion to Memphis in late June.”

Graceffo, 22, finished his first full professional season with a 10-6 record and
a 2.97 ERA with 139 strikeouts and a 0.94 WHIP across 26 starts (139.1 IP) split
between Springfield (AA) and Peoria (High-A). The 6’4” right-hander ranked among
all Cardinals minor league pitchers in wins (2nd), strikeouts (4th), ERA (4th), 
WHIP (2nd), innings (4th), games started (T2nd), opponents average (.202, 8th) and
strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.96, 3rd).

After posting a 0.99 ERA with 56 strikeouts to just four walks in 45.2 innings across
eight starts (five quality) at Peoria to begin the season, Gordon was promoted to
Springfield on May 23. At the time of his promotion, Graceffo led all qualified 
High-A pitchers in ERA, WHIP (0.68) and ranked second in innings and fifth in strikeouts.
He continued his strong start at Double-A, winning five of his first nine games 
with Springfield and tallying a 3.21 ERA.

Graceffo was named the Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April, posting
a 2-0 record with a 0.83 ERA in four starts. He won the award again in May after
posting a 1.45 ERA across five starts, all quality starts, becoming the first Cardinals
pitcher to win back-to-back Pitcher of the Month honors since LHP **_[Austin Gomber](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gombeau01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
August 2017 & April 2018) and first to do so in the same calendar year since LHP**_
[Bud Smith](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithbu02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)_**(
July & August 2000).

“Gordon had an impressive 2022 season, earning a promotion from Peoria to Springfield
in May and was productive at both levels, pitching 139.1 innings over 26 starts,”
stated LaRocque.

The New Jersey native finished the season strong allowing zero runs and just five
hits over his final three starts (16.2 IP), including his final start where he retired
the first 17 batters before allowing his only baserunner to earn his 10th win of
the season. For his efforts, he was named Texas League Pitcher of the Month for 
September.

Drafted by the Cardinals in the 5^(th) round (150th overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft
out of Villanova University, Graceffo ended the season ranked as the 66^(th) best
overall prospect according to _Baseball America_. He enters the 2023 season as the
organization’s seventh ranked prospect and second-best right-handed pitching prospect
per _Baseball America_.

**— STL —****

**ST. LOUIS CARDINALS MINOR LEAGUE AWARD WINNERS**

|  | Player of the Year |  | Pitcher of the Year |  | 
| Year | Name, Pos | Level | Name, Pos | Level | 
| 1995 | **[Mike Gulan](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gulanmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), 3B** | Louisville (AAA)/Arkansas (AA) | **[Mike Busby](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/busbymi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Louisville (AAA)/Arkansas (AA) | 
| 1996 | **[Dmitri Young](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/youngdm01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), INF** | Louisville (AAA) | **[Britt Reames](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reamebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Peoria (A) | 
| 1997 | **[Brent Butler](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/butlebr02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), INF** | Peoria (A) | **[Cliff Politte](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/politcl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Arkansas (AA)/Prince William (A+) | 
| 1998 | **[Pablo Ozuna](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ozunapa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), INF** | Peoria (A) | **[Rick Ankiel](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ankieri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), LHP** | Prince William (A+)/Peoria (A) | 
| 1999 | **[Adam Kennedy](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kennead01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), INF** | Memphis (AAA) | **[Rick Ankiel](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ankieri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), LHP** | Memphis (AAA)/Arkansas (AA) | 
| 2000 | **[Albert Pujols](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), 3B** | Potomac (A+)/Peoria (A) | **[Bud Smith](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithbu02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), LHP** | Memphis (AAA)/Arkansas (AA) | 
| 2001 | **[Coco Crisp](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crispco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), OF** | Potomac (A+) | **[Jimmy Journell](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/journji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | New Haven (AA)/Potomac (A+) | 
| 2002 | **[John Gall](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/galljo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), 1B** | New Haven (AA) | **[Tyler Johnson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=johnsty01,johnso028tyl,johnso026tyl,johnso021tyl,johnso020tyl,johnso014tyl,johnso005tyl,johnso025tyl,johnso024tyl,johnso023tyl,johnso018tyl&search=Tyler+Johnson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), LHP** | Peoria (A) | 
| 2003 | **John Gall, 1B** | Memphis (AAA)/Tennessee (AA) | **[Dan Haren](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harenda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Memphis (AAA)/Tennessee (AA) | 
| 2004 | **[Reid Gorecki](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gorecre01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), OF** | Tennessee (AA)/Palm Beach (A+) | **[Anthony Reyes](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=reyesan01,reyes-004ant&search=Anthony+Reyes&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Tennessee (AA)/Palm Beach (A+) | 
| 2005 | **Travis Hanson, 3B** | Springfield (AA) | **[Mark Worrell](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/worrema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Palm Beach (A+) | 
| 2006 | **[Colby Rasmus](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rasmuco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), OF** | Palm Beach (A+)/Quad Cities (A) | **[Blake Hawksworth](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hawksbl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Springfield (AA)/Palm Beach (A+) | 
| 2007 | **Colby Rasmus, OF** | Springfield (AA) | **[P.J. Walters](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/waltepj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Springfield (AA)/PB (A+)/QC (A) | 
| 2008 | **Daryl Jones, OF** | Springfield (AA)/Palm Beach (A+) | **[Jess Todd](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/toddje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Memphis (AAA)/Spr. (AA)/PB (A+) | 
| 2009 | **[Allen Craig](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/craigal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), OF** | Memphis (AAA) | **[Lance Lynn](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lynnla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Memphis (AAA)/Spr. (AA)/PB (A+) | 
| 2010 | **[Matt Carpenter](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carpema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), 3B** | Springfield (AA)/Palm Beach (A+) | **[Shelby Miller](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/millesh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Quad Cities (A) | 
| 2011 | **[Matt Adams](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=adamsma01,y-----000mat&search=Matt+Adams&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), 1B** | Springfield (AA) | **[Shelby Miller](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/millesh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Springfield (AA)/Palm Beach (A+) | 
| 2012 | **Oscar Tavares, OF** | Springfield (AA) | **[Seth Maness](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/manesse01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Springfield (AA)/Palm Beach (A+) | 
| 2013 | **[Kolten Wong](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wongko01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), 2B** | Memphis (AAA) | **Zach Petrick, RHP** | Springfield (AA)/PB (A+)/Peo. (A) | 
| 2014 | **[Magneuris Sierra](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sierrma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), OF** | GCL Cardinals (R) | **[Marco Gonzales](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzama02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), LHP** | Memphis (AAA)/Spr. (AA)/PB (A+) | 
| 2015 | **[Stephen Piscotty](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/piscost01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), OF** | Memphis (AAA) | **[Austin Gomber](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gombeau01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), LHP\***
**[Alex Reyes](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=reyesal02,reyes-001ale&search=Alex+Reyes&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP\*** | Peoria (A)Springfield (AA)/Palm Beach (A+) | 
| 2016 | **[Carson Kelly](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=kellyca02,kelly-004car&search=Carson+Kelly&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), C** | Memphis (AAA)/Springfield (AA) | **[Luke Weaver](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=weavelu01,weaver001luk&search=Luke+Weaver&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Memphis (AAA)/Springfield (AA) | 
| 2017 | **[Harrison Bader](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/baderha01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), OF** | Memphis (AAA) | **[Jack Flaherty](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/flaheja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Memphis (AAA)/Springfield (AA) | 
| 2018 | **[Tyler O’Neill](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=oneilty01,oneill001tyl&search=Tyler+O%27Neill&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), OF** | Memphis (AAA) | **[Dakota Hudson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hudsoda02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Memphis (AAA) | 
| 2019 | **[Dylan Carlson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=carlsdy01,carlso001dyl&search=Dylan+Carlson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), OF** | Memphis (AAA)/Springfield (AA) | **[Angel Rondón](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rondoan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), RHP** | Springfield (AA)/Palm Beach (A+) | 
| 2020 | No MiLB Season | N/A | No MiLB Season | N/A | 
| 2021 | **Juan Yepez, 1B\*****Jordan Walker, 3B\*** | Memphis (AAA)/Springfield (AA)Peoria (A+)/Palm Beach (A) | **[Matthew Liberatore](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liberma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), LHP** | Memphis (AAA) | 
| 2022 | **Moisés Gómez, OF\*****Jordan Walker, 3B/OF\*** | Memphis (AAA)/Springfield (AA)Springfield (AA) | **Gordon Graceffo, RHP** | Springfield (AA)/Peoria (A+) |

_*Co-winners_

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