The Cardinals may not need to look far for their next bullpen answer. In fact, the organization already drafted him.
St. Louis used its fifth-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft on UCLA right-hander Cal Randall, and the appeal is obvious. Randall punched out 16.5 hitters per nine innings in his junior season, and he did it with what amounts to one overwhelming weapon: a fastball that can touch triple digits and plays up because of his elite extension and low release point.
That pitch is the whole story, and it’s a pretty compelling one. Randall doesn’t have secondary offerings that stand out, which is why he looks built for relief work in the pros. But for a Cardinals team that could use a fast-moving arm, that profile may actually be the point.
MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo sees a path that could move quickly. “That fastball alone is a ticket to a fast track. Maybe you start him in Double-A, and then if he's dominating, you do not waste any time, and I think could very much see him impacting the Cardinals' bullpen next year.”
Randall has already signed for full slot value, so the clock is ticking on his pro debut. The exact assignment is still unclear, but there’s little doubt his fastball is too much for lower-level minor league hitters to handle for long.
5th-rder Cal Randall signs w/ @Cardinals for $501,300 (full slot 146 value). @UCLABaseball RHP, rated as one of best relievers & best fastball in @MLBDraft.
Up to 100 mph with low release, extension & carry. Should get to St.
Louis quickly. pic.twitter.com/C3y1iYXH3N
- Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 21, 2026
There is still reason to keep expectations in check until he actually takes the mound in the minors. The jump from college to pro ball is no joke, even for pitchers with big-time stuff.
Tanner Franklin, the Cardinals’ second-round pick in 2025, is already missing bats at High-A with a 28.1% strikeout rate, but he’s also carrying a 4.62 ERA and 5.16 FIP. Franklin, a Tennessee product, is being developed as a starter, which makes his path more demanding than the one Randall is likely to follow.
Still, Randall’s fastball grades out as an 80, while Franklin’s was a 70. That kind of pure velocity and carry gives Randall a chance to move faster than most.
And the need is real. With JoJo Romero expected to leave via free agency or trade soon, the Cardinals need another late-inning partner for All-Star closer Riley O'Brien.
If Randall becomes that arm from within, it would give St. Louis a lot more flexibility to address the rest of the roster next season.
In Other News...
Cardinals Just Got A Left Field Bullpen Lifeline To Consider
The Cardinals are still looking for ways to shore up a bullpen that can use more depth, and Dennis Santana has surfaced as a name worth monitoring. The right-hander has had a rough season, but his track record is enough to keep him on the radar, especially for a club trying to find low-cost help without making a major commitment.
Santanas appeal comes from what he has shown before, when he was finishing games and missing bats at a much higher level. Even with the present struggles, that kind of recent history can make a pitcher intriguing for a team willing to bet on a rebound, and St. Louis may be weighing whether the upside is worth the gamble as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]
Former Brewers Reliever Already Resurfaced With An NL Central Team
Peter Strzelecki did not stay on the market long after leaving Milwaukee, and now he is back in familiar NL Central territory. The right-hander has agreed to a minor league deal with the Cardinals, giving St. Louis another experienced arm to stash in the system as it looks to shore up bullpen depth without making a bigger commitment.
The move fits the kind of low-risk pitching shuffle contending clubs often make in late July, especially with a reliever who has already logged major league time for multiple teams since 2022. Strzeleckis path has taken him through St. Louis before, and the Cardinals will now see whether a fresh stop can turn into a useful option if they need help later on. [Read more 🡒]
Joe Buck Just Reached A Cardinals Legacy Moment Fans Will Feel
Joe Bucks place in baseball broadcasting has long been secure, but Baseball Hall of Fame Weekend added a layer of meaning that goes well beyond the usual resume line. Receiving the 2026 Ford C. Frick Award put him in a category that fits naturally with the Cardinals own broadcasting history, and for Buck it stood above the World Series and Super Bowl moments that made his name familiar far beyond St. Louis.
The honor also carried a personal weight tied to the family name Cardinals fans know so well. Buck has spent decades around the game, from his start on Cardinals broadcasts in the 1990s to becoming Foxs lead baseball voice, and this latest recognition connects his career back to the booth he grew up around. It is the sort of milestone that invites a look back at Jack Buck, and at the path that made this one feel different from all the rest. [Read more 🡒]