Cardinals supporters are prepared for the future after Quinn Mathews’ clash with the future Hall of Famer.
With spring training just a few days away, the St. Louis Cardinals’ best prospects are stealing the show in Florida right already.
Just the other day, Cardinals fans were dreaming and speculating about when they could see JJ Wetherholt in St. Louis, since he was widely regarded as the team’s best prospect. On Tuesday, the Cardinals’ second-best prospect in their system hit the mound, and his stuff was as explosive as
When future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer took the field to challenge MVP contender Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Quinn Mathews was put in charge of navigating the Toronto Blue Jays order. Mathews appeared to be an experienced veteran in that game.
Mathews struck out three hitters in two innings of work while giving up no runs on two hits and a walk. One of those strikeouts came with the bases loaded to get Guerrero Jr. out of the jam, and another came after he made a stupid appearance with a wicked change-up.
The excitement around Quinn Mathews’ 2024 campaign was maintained with his first spring training start.
Most prospect publications named Mathews the Minor League Pitcher of the Year after he advanced four minor league levels in his first campaign last year and struck out more than 200 hitters. Though they would need to make some place in their rotation if they wanted to go to Mathews immediately, the Cardinals are obviously interested in seeing what he can do this spring. If he is unable to make the team out of camp, he will undoubtedly be in a position to move into that group early in the season.
As names like Mathews, Tekoah Roby, Gordon Graceffo, and Cooper Hjerpe have impressed on the mound thus far, I don’t think it is a coincidence that we are now hearing rumors that Erick Fedde may be dealt during camp. Michael McGreevy will make his debut tomorrow, while Tink Hence should also make an appearance at some time.
With good reason, Mathews has the highest rating of all of them. Given his experience in St. Louis last season, McGreevy probably has the upper hand, but Mathews’ potential and outstanding play thus far in his nascent professional career have the Cardinals speculating about what he may mean for their rotation going ahead.
Wetherholt is undoubtedly the Cardinals’ top prospect, but it will take him at least a short time to make an impression in St. Louis. However, if he continues to play well, Mathews has the ability to pressure the Cardinals, which would be a huge revelation for this team.
I boldly put Mathews #2 out of every player on the squad and close to the MLB level in my personal rankings of the most significant Cardinals for the 2025 season. The Cardinals’ potential in 2025 will be greatly impacted if Mathews is what we believe he can be this season. I don’t say that to put undue pressure on him. Together with Andre Pallante and any other starts that are in the rotation, you would now have two dynamic arms in Mathews and Sonny Gray.
One was all last season in the lower leagues, as fans had heard.
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