The St. Louis Cardinals are preparing for a rebuild after several years of struggling to reach the postseason, with a key focus on refreshing the roster by moving on from underperforming veterans like Miles Mikolas and Nolan Arenado. While Mikolas’ contract is ending, Arenado remains under contract for the foreseeable future unless the team decides to trade or release him. Amid these changes, infielder Thomas Saggese is emerging as a hopeful candidate to fill Arenado’s role, bringing renewed energy to the Cardinals’ roster.
Progress and Potential Displayed by Thomas Saggese
According to Scott Plaza of Redbird Rants, Saggese was initially considered a utility infielder candidate to make the Cardinals’ roster out of Spring Training but started the season in Triple-A Memphis. This season, he has been called up to the major league team three separate times, but he only recently began receiving substantial playing time. Plaza explained,
“Utility infielder Thomas Saggese was seen as a candidate to make the team out of Spring Training, but ended up starting the year in Memphis. He has been up with the big league team three separate times this season, but he has not received as much playing time in his previous promotions as he has with this current one,”
highlighting Saggese’s increased opportunities after injuries to Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan opened up playing time.
During August, Saggese has had 50 at-bats, showing strong contact skills despite lacking in power and plate discipline. Notably, he has yet to draw a walk this month but is maintaining a .300 batting average with two doubles and seven runs scored. Defensively, Saggese has experience at both second and third base, with most of his time spent at second. Over the past two seasons across major and minor leagues, he has hit 47 home runs and 59 doubles, yet this year he has collected only 21 extra-base hits in over 300 at-bats, resulting in a .340 slugging percentage. Plaza added,
“If he can draw a handful of walks this month and find a couple of gaps, Saggese could become a right-handed complement to Alec Burleson in the order.”
Comparisons and Future Outlook for the Cardinals’ Infield
Though Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt is gaining attention for excelling against Triple-A pitching, Saggese is carving out a role with the major league club. With Masyn Winn securing shortstop duties and Wetherholt projected to take over at second base, Saggese stands poised as the next logical replacement for Arenado at third base. If Saggese continues to impress in the weeks ahead, the Cardinals could consider trading or releasing Arenado in the offseason to provide Saggese full-time playing opportunities.
The transition represents a strategic shift for the Cardinals as they aim to invest in younger players who can contribute consistently. Saggese’s development could be instrumental in the team’s efforts to rebuild and return to postseason contention. His ability to adjust at the major league level signifies potential stability for a position long held by Arenado. This emerging talent brings cautious optimism to Cardinals fans awaiting the team’s next chapter.