The St. Louis Cardinals are entering a new era - and the roster is starting to reflect that.
After a winter that saw cornerstone names like Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras shipped out in a major reset, the door is now wide open for a wave of young talent to step in and make their mark. Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson are already positioned to take on larger roles, but they’re far from the only ones who stand to benefit.
One name to keep an eye on? Thomas Saggese.
Saggese, just 23 years old, could be a key piece in the Cardinals’ evolving puzzle - and maybe even in the outfield, a position he's never played in a professional game. That might sound like a stretch, but dig a little deeper, and it starts to make a lot of sense.
A Look Back at the Trade That Brought Saggese to St. Louis
The Cardinals acquired Saggese at the 2023 trade deadline in the deal that sent left-hander Jordan Montgomery to the Texas Rangers. Along with pitching prospect Tekoah Roby, Saggese came over and immediately made a statement.
He caught fire at Double-A Springfield, slashing .318 with 25 home runs and 107 RBIs en route to being named Texas League MVP. His OPS in just 33 games?
A jaw-dropping 1.064.
That kind of production turned heads and raised expectations. While his next two seasons in Triple-A didn’t quite match those heights - he posted a .752 OPS in 2024 and .847 in 2025 - Saggese still proved himself as a steady, productive bat.
He’s also been a versatile defender, logging innings at second base, shortstop, and third base. Of those, second base has looked like his most natural fit so far.
The Outfield Opportunity
Now, with the Cardinals looking to round out their roster, there’s a growing possibility that Saggese could expand his defensive portfolio even further. Team president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has indicated that the club is still in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder. But the answer might already be in-house.
Saggese started taking reps in the outfield last summer, working pregame to get a feel for the position. While he hasn’t yet logged a single inning in the outfield during a game - minors or majors - there’s reason to believe he could handle the transition.
He’s got the athletic tools: his sprint speed last season clocked in at 28.4 MPH, good for the 78th percentile across MLB. That’s solid range for someone who might be asked to cover ground in center or hold down a corner spot.
His arm strength is a bit more of a mixed bag. From second base, he averaged 76.6 MPH, which isn’t eye-popping.
But at shortstop, he was up to 83 MPH - and more importantly, he showed year-over-year improvement, adding 3.5 MPH from 2024 to 2025. That upward trend suggests he’s still developing physically and could continue to grow into the role.
Managerial Confidence and Coaching Support
Manager Oli Marmol spoke on Saggese’s potential at Winter Warm-Up, and he didn’t hesitate to include him in the outfield conversation. “I’d like to see a combination of (Thomas Saggese and Blaze Jordan in the outfield),” Marmol said.
“We have some interesting players. This is why, when I say excitement, it will be fun to show up every day and see what these guys are capable of.”
That’s not just coach-speak - it’s a sign that Saggese is firmly in the mix for real playing time. He could find himself in a platoon role with Victor Scott II in center field, or potentially see time in the corners if his bat plays the way the Cardinals believe it can.
And when it comes to defensive development, Saggese will be in good hands. Outfield coach Jon Jay earned high praise last season from players like Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker, both of whom made noticeable strides defensively.
Walker, in particular, credited Jay with helping him trust his instincts in the outfield. “I’d rather go hard and maybe misread that first step and still have time to adjust than hesitate,” Walker said last April.
“My main goal every time now is to trust my first step and go from there.”
That kind of coaching could be crucial for someone like Saggese, who’s trying to learn on the fly at a new position.
A Path Forward in 2026
What makes Saggese such an intriguing breakout candidate isn’t just his versatility - it’s his bat. He’s shown the ability to hit for average and power, and he’s done it at multiple levels. If he can rediscover some of that 2023 magic at the plate, he’ll force his way into the lineup one way or another.
The Cardinals have a long history of turning utility players into everyday contributors - from Matt Carpenter to Tommy Edman to Brendan Donovan. Saggese could be next in that lineage.
He’s got the skillset. He’s got the opportunity.
Now it’s about execution.
In a season where the Cardinals are embracing youth, flexibility, and upside, Thomas Saggese checks all the boxes. Don’t be surprised if 2026 becomes the year he goes from fringe piece to everyday presence.