As the St. Louis Cardinals gear up for opening day, they're facing some intriguing roster decisions.
At the heart of these is the quest to find a versatile starter akin to Brendan Donovan. The two frontrunners in this battle are Thomas Saggese and Jose Fermin.
While neither may fully replicate Donovan's impact, their potential flexibility makes them compelling options.
Let's dive into the details. Jose Fermin might not have the flashy prospect background, but his performance last year was impressive.
In 70 plate appearances with the Cardinals, Fermin posted a 129 wRC+, making him 29% better than the average MLB hitter. Though he's nearing 27, often considered a make-or-break age for MLB regulars, Fermin's late bloom could be just what the Cardinals need.
With a .913 OPS in Memphis over nearly 300 plate appearances, he's shown he can contribute at the plate. While he may not bring significant power, his ability to hit for average and get on base could be valuable at the bottom of the lineup.
Fermin's versatility is another asset. The Cardinals have hinted at using him more in the outfield, even though he's traditionally a shortstop who can handle second and third base. This adaptability makes him reminiscent of a right-handed Brendan Donovan, potentially with a dash of Tommy Edman thrown in.
On the other side, we have Thomas Saggese, who seems to be the favorite in this race. With a solid prospect pedigree, Saggese came to the Cardinals in the Jordan Montgomery trade.
His standout moment so far was winning the Texas League MVP in 2023, where he posted a 131 wRC+ with 25 homers in Double-A. Although he hasn't consistently replicated those numbers, his sporadic playing time due to frequent moves between Memphis and St.
Louis might have played a role.
Defensively, Saggese mirrors Fermin's flexibility, capable of covering shortstop, second, third, and even outfield positions. This versatility is a valuable trait, especially for a team in a rebuilding phase.
Both players are likely to make the opening day roster, with one potentially stepping in as left fielder while Lars Nootbaar recovers. Saggese, at 24, is three years younger, offering a bit more developmental upside.
The smart play for the Cardinals? Utilize both players.
With opportunities in the outfield, the chance to rest players like Masyn Winn, and rotating through second base and DH, there's room for both to shine. Who knows, they might just uncover a right-handed version of Donovan in the process.
And that wouldn't be too shabby, would it?