New Rules, Rich Returns: Hindsight From 2012's 'Michael Wacha Draft' Shows Cardinals Can Maximize Many Picks In 2020's Reduced Rounds

Even under the cloak of dark, cloudy skies and chilly conditions, the Cardinals’ brand new director of amateur scouting couldn’t hide his crew’s presence that February night eight years ago that would add to the club’s history within 20 months.

Post-Dispatch

Fifth Round A Struggle In Cardinals Draft History

The five-round major league amateur draft begins on Wednesday and the Cardinals have had notable success in the first round with the likes of Ted Simmons, Andy Van Slyke, J.D. Drew, Jack Flaherty, Garry Templeton, Matt Morris, Kolten Wong, Todd Worrell, Michael Wacha, Lance Lynn, Terry Kennedy, Brian Jordan, Stephen Piscotty, Dakota Hudson and a dozen or so others who had big-league success.

Post-Dispatch

Investment Startups: Matthew Liberature, Zack Thompson Bring New-Look, Left-Left Combo To Cardinals Pitching Revival

Manager Mike Shildt insisted, at least twice, it wasn’t preplanned on the first day of live batting practice to have the final pitcher on the mound be Matthew Liberatore, the Cardinals’ prized prospect acquisition in a trade one rival official called “potentially a coup.”

Birdland

Zack Thompson Works To Maximize Whatever Summer Lies Ahead

It’s a short drive from his parents’ home to where Cardinals prospect Zack Thompson went Wednesday to get in his throws. Already there waiting when he arrived stood the net he planned to meet, and his only company was the dozens of well-worn and scuffed baseballs he stuffed into a backpack.

Post-Dispatch

MLB Players Team Up, Offer Kids Millions Of Meals

Children’s hunger has become a dire situation, and an initiative by Major League Baseball to address it now during the pandemic came about after a chance encounter between Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and country music superstar Garth Brooks on social media.

St. Louis Official Site

The New Fantasy Baseball? Having Fun With Plans To Start The Season!

The “Arizona Plan” didn’t fly very well when MLB tried to gauge public reaction by floating a potential plan for starting the 2020 season. This hot air balloon was intriguing for a little while but got shot down by agitated media.

101 ESPN

A Look At The 'All-Dewitt' Cardinals Pitching Staff, 1996 Through 2019

In Part One of our look at the Dewitt-Era Cardinals (1996-present), I chose eight starting position players and constructed a six-player bench.

101 ESPN

Cardinals Capsules, Vol.14: Michael Wacha Delivers A Gem In Pittsburgh To Save The Season, 2013

Welcome back to Cards Capsules, the series in which we take a look back at memorable Cardinals games from the last 20 years in St. Louis baseball history. Without any baseball to watch in the present due to the spread of coronavirus, what better way to fill the time, eh?

KMOV

Michael Wacha Learns To Embrace Technology With Help From His Dad

For Michael Wacha and his offseason transformation, it all started with videos, mechanics and his dad.

NY Daily News

Power Pack: Six Cardinals Prospects Who Took Strong Strides This Spring

Most of their once and future teammates scattered home the previous day. So as a parade of major-league players filed out of the clubhouse clutching their gear, several of the Cardinals’ minor-leaguers still in camp watched and wondered.

Post-Dispatch

Former Cardinals Randy Arozarena, Mike Mayers Sizzled This Spring With New Teams, While Others Made Chilly First Impressions

The coverage and box scores spilling out of the Tampa Bay Rays’ spring training provided confirmation for the most consistent thing I heard year after year about a young, speedy, Cuban outfielder scaling his way toward the Cardinals.

Birdland

Keep An Eye On Zack Thompson In 2020

The St. Louis Cardinals’ first-round draft pick in 2020, Zack Thompson, will be a fast riser. The only question is how fast he will hit the MLB. He’s one player to watch in 2020.

Redbird Rants

Jack Flaherty Is Willing To Bet On Himself & His Future. That's Admirable. And Risky.

I have a few thoughts on ace starter Jack Flaherty, his 2020 contract, the St. Louis Cardinals, and what’s to come.

101 ESPN

Michael Wacha's Focus Is To 'Get People Out'

With six starters vying for five spots in the Mets' rotation, there will be an odd man out.

New York-N Official Site

Jack Flaherty Set To Push Cardinals' Salary Formula To New Heights, But Will He Avoid A Renewal?

By the time he’d thrown his eighth pitch Wednesday against the New York Mets, Cardinals ascending ace Jack Flaherty had allowed a run, twice pitched with runners at the corners and had yet to get an out. He was in a fix, the parameters of the game stacked against him.

Post-Dispatch

Former Cardinals Playing In MLB Spring Training 3-1-2020: Michael Wacha Strikes Out One Over Three Scoreless Innings; Magneuris Sierra Doubles & Drives In One Run; Chasen Shreve Strikes Out Two Over One Scoreless Inning For The Hold

A strong showing from @MichaelWacha today. 💪

3 IP
2 H
0 R
1 K

Final in Jupiter: #Mets 1 - Miami 7 pic.twitter.com/LOB8VhroUz

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 1, 2020

Pete Kozma (former St. Louis-Atlanta) entered late in the game at second base and batted second.  One run and one hit by pitch.
Marcell Ozuna (former St. Louis-Atlanta) started in left field and batted third.  0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Rafael Ortega (former Memphis-Atlanta) started as designated hitter and batted eighth.  1-for-2 at the plate.

Boston beat Atlanta 4-2

Luke Voit (former St. Louis-New York-A) started at first base and batted second.  1-for-3 with one two-out RBI, one strikeout, and grounded into one double play.

Detroit beat New York-A 10-4

Michael Wacha (former St. Louis-New York-N) started and pitched three innings.  He allowed two hits, no runs, one walk, threw one wild pitch, and struck one out.  (p-s:33-22)(g/f:5-0)

Magneuris Sierra (former St. Louis-Miami) entered late in the game in left field and batted third.  1-for-1 with one double, one RBI, and one run.

Miami beat New York-N 7-1

Ramon Urias (former Memphis-Baltimore) entered late in the game at second base and batted second.  0-for-2 and one throwing error.

Matt Vierling (former 2015 draft selection-Philadelphia) entered late in the game in right field and batted sixth.  1-for-1 with one walk.

Baltimore beat Philadelphia 3-2

Charlie Tilson (former Memphis-Pittsburgh) entered late in the game in left field and batted fourth.  0-for-1 with one run and one walk.

Pittsburgh beat Toronto 13-9

Randy Arozarena (former St. Louis-Tampa Bay) started in right field and batted fifth.  0-for-1 with one walk.
Ryan Sherriff (former St. Louis-Tampa Bay) entered in the eighth and pitched one inning.  He allowed one hit and no runs.  (g/f:2-0)

Tampa Bay beat Minnesota 8-2

Jacob Wilson (former Memphis-Washington) entered late in the game at second base and batted seventh.  One walk at the plate.

Chasen Shreve (former St. Louis-New York-N) entered in the sixth and pitched one inning.  He allowed one hit, no runs, and struck two out for the hold (1).  (g/f:1-0)

New York-N beat Washington 3-1

Brian O'Keefe (former Springfield-Seattle) entered late in the game at catcher and batted fifth.  One run, one walk, one stolen base, assisted in one double play, and threw out one base runner.
Patrick Wisdom (former St. Louis-Seattle) started at third base and batted seventh.  0-for-2 with one strikeout.

Jason Heyward (former St. Louis-Chicago-N) started in right field and batted fourth.  0-for-1 with two walks.
Daniel Descalso (former St. Louis-Chicago-N) started as designated hitter and batted eighth.  1-for-3 with one strikeout.
Trevor Megill (former 2014 draft selection-Chicago-N) entered in the fifth and pitched one inning.  He allowed two hits, no runs, and struck one out for the hold (1).  (g/f:0-2)

Chicago-N beat Seattle 7-3

Ildemaro Vargas (former Springfield-Arizona) started at second base and batted eighth.  1-for-3 with one stolen base and one strikeout.
Andy Young (former Springfield-Arizona) entered late in the game at second base and batted eighth.  0-for-1 at the plate.

Cleveland beat Arizona 10-6

Anthony Garcia (former Memphis-Los Angeles) started in right field and batted eighth.  0-for-1 with one walk and one strikeout.
Edubray Ramos (former VSL-Los Angeles) entered in the seventh and pitched one inning.  He allowed two hits, one earned run, one home run, and struck two out.  (g/f:1-0)

Texas beat Los Angeles 8-6

Francisco Pena (former St. Louis-Cincinnati) entered late in the game as designated hitter and batted third.  0-for-2 with two strikeouts.
Matthew Bowman (former St. Louis-Cincinnati) entered in the sixth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck one out.  (g/f:1-1)
David Carpenter (former Palm Beach-Cincinnati) entered in the eighth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck one out.  (g/f:1-0)

Milwaukee beat Cincinnati 5-4

Albert Pujols (former St. Louis-Anaheim) started at first base and batted fifth.  2-for-3 with one run and assisted in one double play.

Chicago-A beat Anaheim 8-7

Tommy Pham (former St. Louis-San Diego) started as designated hitter and batted second.  1-for-3 with one two-out RBI.
Breyvic Valera (former St. Louis-San Diego) entered late in the game as designated hitter and batted second.  1-for-1 with one run.
Luis Perdomo (former Palm Beach-San Diego) entered in the fifth and pitched two innings.  He allowed four hits, two earned runs, one home run, threw one wild pitch, and struck three out for the winning decision (2-0).  (g/f:1-0)

San Diego beat San Francisco 7-5

Oscar Mercado (former Memphis-Cleveland) started in centerfield and batted second.  0-for-3 with one strikeout.

Oakland beat Cleveland 8-5

Michael Wacha Flashes Improved Velocity In First Mets Puting

Michael Wacha’s two scoreless innings Tuesday were a nice way to start his Mets career, but it’s the 94-96 mph he consistently flashed that resonated loudest.

NY Post

Former Cardinals Playing In MLB Spring Training 2-25-2020: Albert Pujols Singles & Drives In Two Runs; Michael Wacha Strikes Out Two Over Two Scoreless Innings; Jacob Wilson Singles, Doubles, Walks, & Knocks In One Run

Albert Pujols sigue produciendo y produciendo carreras. 🔥🔥🔥#AngelsBéisbol pic.twitter.com/B0u9MSojDB

— Angels Béisbol (@AngelsBeisbol) February 25, 2020

Peter Mooney (former 2010 draft selection-Minnesota) entered late in the game at shortstop and batted third.  0-for-2 with one strikeout.

Pete Kozma (former St. Louis-Atlanta) entered late in the game at second base and batted second.  0-for-2 and assisted in one double play.
Marcell Ozuna (former St. Louis-Atlanta) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Shane Robinson (former St. Louis-Atlanta) entered late in the game in centerfield and batted sixth.  0-for-1 with one walk.
Rafael Ortega (former Memphis-Atlanta) entered late in the game in left field and batted eighth.  1-for-1 with one double, one run, one walk, and one stolen base.

Minnesota and Atlanta tied 4-4

Jose Martinez (former St. Louis-Tampa Bay) started at first base and batted fourth.  0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
Randy Arozarena (former St. Louis-Tampa Bay) entered late in the game in right field and batted eighth.  2-for-2 with one two-out RBI and two runs.

Tampa Bay beat Baltimore 15-2

Ramon Urias (former Memphis-Baltimore) entered late in the game at second base and batted ninth.  0-for-1 with one strikeout.
Hunter Cervenka (former Memphis-Baltimore) entered in the fifth and pitched to six batters.  He allowed two hits, five earned runs, two walks, and hit one batter for the losing decision (0-1).  (g/f:0-1)

Boston beat Baltimore 12-4

Matt Adams (former St. Louis-New York-N) started at first base and batted fourth.  0-for-3 and assisted in one double play.
Michael Wacha (former St. Louis-New York-N) started and pitched two innings.  He allowed one hit, no runs, two walks, and struck two out.  (g/f:2-1)

Detroit beat New York-N 9-6

Magneuris Sierra (former St. Louis-Miami) entered late in the game in centerfield and batted sixth.  0-for-2 with one strikeout.

Aledmys Diaz (former St. Louis-Houston) started at second base and batted second.  0-for-1 with one hit by pitch.

Miami beat Houston 7-4

Matt Vierling (former 2015 draft selection-Philadelphia) entered late in the game in centerfield and batted leadoff.  1-for-2 with one RBI and two runs.

Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh 6-2

Jacob Wilson (former Memphis-Washington) entered late in the game at first base and moved to third, batting leadoff.  2-for-3 with one double, one two-out RBI, one run, one walk, one strikeout, one fielding error, and assisted in one double play.

Washington beat St. Louis 9-6

Luke Voit (former St. Louis-New York-A) started at first base and batted fourth.  1-for-3 with one double, one strikeout, and assisted in one double play.
Tyler Lyons (former St. Louis-New York-A) entered in the fifth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck two out for the hold (1).  (g/f:1-0)

Randal Grichuk (former St. Louis-Toronto) started as designated hitter and batted second.  0-for-2 at the plate.

New York-A beat Toronto 4-1

Jason Heyward (former St. Louis-Chicago-N) started in right field and batted fourth.  1-for-1 with one double and one walk.
Daniel Descalso (former St. Louis-Chicago-N) started at third base and batted sixth.  0-for-1 with one walk.

Colorado beat Chicago-N 12-6

Donovan Solano (former Memphis-San Francisco) started at second base and batted fifth.  1-for-2 with one caught stealing.

Steve Cishek (former St. Louis-Chicago-A) entered in the fourth and pitched one inning.  He allowed two hits and no runs.  (g/f:1-1)

Chicago-A beat San Francisco 4-3

Brian O'Keefe (former Springfield-Seattle) entered late in the game at catcher and batted seventh.  1-for-2 with one RBI and one strikeout.

Seattle beat Milwaukee 2-1

Jose Adolis Garcia (former St. Louis-Texas) entered late in the game in right field and batted third.  0-for-2 with one RBI and one strikeout.

Kansas City beat Texas 5-4

Anthony Garcia (former Memphis-Los Angeles) entered late in the game in right field and batted eighth.  0-for-1 with one strikeout.

Jon Jay (former St. Louis-Arizona) started in left field and batted second.  2-for-4 with one run and one strikeout.
Andy Young (former Memphis-Arizona) entered late in the game as designated hitter and batted fourth.  0-for-2 with one strikeout.

Arizona beat Los Angeles 7-3

Francisco Pena (former St. Louis-Cincinnati) entered late in the game as a designated hitter and batted ninth.  0-for-2 with one strikeout.

Albert Pujols (former St. Louis-Anaheim) started at first base and batted sixth.  1-for-2 with two two-out RBIs.

Anaheim beat Cincinnati 7-3

Greg Garcia (former St. Lous-San Diego) started at second base and batted leadoff.  1-for-3 at the plate.
Breyvic Valera (former St. Louis-San Diego) entered late in the game as designated hitter and batted fifth.  0-for-1 with one walk and one stolen base.

San Diego beat Oakland 9-6

Can Adam Wainwright Defy Father Time Again? The Cardinals Hope So

Adam Wainwright was determined in his quest to reclaim his form after the 2018 season, so he decided to broaden his search for answers.

Belleville News Democrat

Start Of Something? Carlos Martinez Begins Bid For Rotation With Performance On (& Off) The Mound

As he detailed what he does to get ready in the days and hours leading up to a start, Michael Wacha realized, even now on his own as a New York Met, how much of his regimen is inspired by watching Adam Wainwright, right down to his pregame meal.

Post-Dispatch