MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Three players have made their major-league debut for the Cardinals so far this season — Victor Scott II, Pedro Pages and Chris Roycroft — but they likely won’t be the only ones to do that this year.
There are at least four players currently at Triple-A Memphis who appear to be on the radar for a promotion to the majors at some point before the end of the season.
Cesar Prieto
The infielder who turned 25 last week was acquired by the Cardinals as part of the return that sent Jack Flaherty to the Orioles. A native of Cuba, Prieto had a combined total of 161 hits last season, including posting a .270 average with Memphis after the trade.
After impressing the Cardinals’ major-league staff with a strong spring training, Prieto has come out this season and posted a .323 average with six homers and 21 RBIs in 34 games.
“He’s really swinging the bat well, which we knew he was going to do,” said manager Ben Johnson. “He’s a hitter. I needed him to improve on defense and he’s done just that. He’s coming out and working. He’s serious about how he goes about his business. He’s improving every day.”
Prieto has split time between second base, third base and shortstop in his career but his primary position this season has been third base.
Thomas Saggese
After winning MVP honors in the Texas League last season, Saggese, who was acquired from Texas in the Jordan Montgomery trade, has made a quick impression on Johnson.
“He’s a ballplayer,” Johnson said. “This kid loves the game.”
The 22-year-old Saggese is the second youngest player on the Memphis roster, one month older than Jordan Walker.
In his first 35 games this season, Saggese has a .252 average with four homers and 19 RBIs in his transition to the Triple-A level.
Saggese has logged most of his innings at shortstop but can also play second base and third.
“He wants it badly,” Johnson said. “His work ethic pushes the other kids too, which is great.”
Sem Robberse
A native of the Netherlands, Robberse was one of two pitchers the Cardinals acquired from the Blue Jays in exchange for Jordan Hicks. He made seven starts for Memphis following the trade, giving Johnson his first chance to watch him pitch.
In the eight starts that Robberse, a 22-year-old righthander, has made so far this season, Johnson has seen a different pitcher.
“He’s really thrown the ball well for us, he’s been a bright spot,” Johnson said. “What I needed to see from him from last year to this year we are seeing. You kind of talk about the developmental piece and for me, Sem needed to get a better feel for putting hitters away when he was ahead in the count and he’s doing that.
“It’s just that little nugget that you want to see in their development and we are seeing that with him, which is really great.”
Robberse has held opponents to no more than two runs in seven of his eight starts, lowering his ERA from 4.84 with Memphis last year to 2.64 this year. He has 47 strikeouts in 47 innings while issuing only 12 walks.
Ryan Loutos
A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis who signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent, Loutos has been pitching much better in his second season in Memphis.
Loutos, 25, has lowered his ERA from 6.40 to 1.98. The righthander is 4-of-4 in save opportunities over his 11 appearances. He has 17 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings, holding opponents to a .167 average.
“He’s throwing the ball well,” Johnson said. “It’s good to see him gaining confidence. I felt that was something I needed to see from him. Everybody kind of has a little something different.
“I just want him to believe in his ability because he’s got good stuff. He’s just got to pitch with conviction and he’s starting to do that.”
Other options
Two other players at Memphis who could find themselves in the mix for their first promotion to the majors at some point this season are righthander Gordon Graceffo and outfielder Matt Koperniak.
“I think he’s going to wind up hitting his way to the big leagues too,” Johnson said of Koperniak. “He can hit. He works his tail off defensively, he makes all the plays he should make. Sometimes you get hot at the right time and there’s a need and it can be you.”
Photo of Cesar Prieto courtesy of Memphis Redbirds
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
