St. Louis Cardinals News

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Kyle Leahy • SP • Cardinals

Kyle Leahy Emerging as a Must-Roster Starting Pitcher

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy notched his 10th win of 2026 on Tuesday, throwing five scoreless innings with six strikeouts in his team's 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Across 122 1/3 innings (24 starts) this season, the 29-year-old has recorded a 10-4 record with a 3.24 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts. Leahy has been particularly hot of late, as he's logged wins in each of his last three outings and has not allowed more than two earned runs in a start since June 17. The right-hander generates a lot of ground balls, which can lead to a higher batting average on balls in play and an elevated WHIP. However, he's difficult to barrel up (0.88 HR/9) and has allowed a solid 6.8% walk rate. In his last 36 innings pitched, Leahy has walked just two batters. Particularly given his pitcher-friendly home environment in St. Louis, Leahy should be viewed as a priority waiver wire candidate in any league where he remains available.

21 hours ago

Quinn Mathews • SP • Cardinals

Pitching Prospect Quinn Mathews to Start Game 1 of Doubleheader

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports that St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews will be called up from Triple-A Memphis to start Game 1 of the team's doubleheader on Monday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Right-hander Andre Pallante will get the nod for Game 2 for the Cards. Mathews, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was called up on Aug. 1 to make his major-league debut and allowed two earned runs with three walks and three strikeouts in five innings in a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on the road. The 25-year-old southpaw and former fourth-rounder from Stanford University has gone 5-4 this year with a 3.27 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 120:61 K:BB in 99 innings and 21 starts for Memphis. Mathews will face a Reds squad that ranks 24th in the league in team OPS, but the young lefty could be sent right back down to Memphis following his second major-league start. In the long-term at the MLB level, Mathews projects as more of a back-end starter in St. Louis than an ace.

3 days ago

Quinn Mathews • SP • Cardinals

Quinn Mathews Looking for Path Back to Major-League Rotation

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews got one start for St. Louis this season before being called back down to Triple-A Memphis. In two starts back with Memphis, Mathews has allowed four earned runs in seven innings pitched with nine combined strikeouts in the two starts. In his lone big-league start, Mathews took a hard-luck loss to the Toronto Blue Jays with two earned runs in five innings pitched. Mathews has looked sharp all year long in the minors for Memphis and the left-hander is the No. 8 prospect for St. Louis with a 60-grade slider and changeup in his four-pitch mix. The Cardinals rotation is very young so Mathews will look for another shot at the MLB level. He is worth holding onto in redraft leagues because he does have good strikeout potential with a strong four-pitch arsenal.

3 days ago

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Joshua Baez Blasts Three Home Runs in Historic Debut

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Joshua Baez made history during his big league debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Baez did something no other MLB player has done before, which is homer in his first three plate appearances. He took the first pitch he saw as a big leaguer deep to center field for a solo homer off Matthew Boyd. He continued his success off Boyd with another long ball in the fourth inning. Baez came up for his third plate appearance in the sixth inning and blasted a ball over the right field wall. Overall, Baez went 3-for-4 with three homers and five RBI in his debut. The power and speed potential make Baez worth snagging in all fantasy formats right now after his incredible MLB debut.

4 days ago

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Cardinals Promote Top Outfield Prospect Joshua Baez to Major Leagues

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the St. Louis Cardinals are promoting top outfield prospect Joshua Baez to the major leagues. Baez has enjoyed a dominant showing at the Triple-A level and is finally being rewarded with a promotion to The Show. Baez has spent the entire 2026 season at the Triple-A level, where he has flashed elite power and speed upside. Across 103 games with the Memphis Redbirds, the No. 44-ranked prospect in the sport (per MLB.com) has held a .256/.328/.573 line with 22 doubles, 34 home runs, and 21 stolen bases. Last summer, Baez hit just 20 home runs but swiped 54 bags over 117 games shared between High-A and Double-A. While his hefty 29.6% K% could translate to some going pains in the majors, his five-category profile makes him a top waiver wire target across all formats ahead of his debut.

5 days ago

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Joshua Baez Continues to Slug His Way to Major-League Call-Up

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has done nothing but hit for power all year long at Triple-A Memphis and he is hoping it leads soon to an MLB debut. At Memphis, Baez has 34 homers and 90 RBI with 79 runs scored and 21 steals while hitting .256. Not many players in the minors can boast 30-plus homers and 20-plus stolen bases. The power-speed combination is elite and the Cardinals seem to have an opening in the outfield outside regulars Jordan Walker and Nathan Church. Baez is the No. 3 prospect for the Cardinals and has 60-grade power with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade speed. At 23 years old, Baez is primed to make his MLB debut this season and it would be wise for fantasy managers to stock up on Baez shares in redraft leagues as he could be a game-changer late in the season.

5 days ago

José Fermín • LF • Cardinals |

José Fermin • RP • Angels

Jose Fermin Emerging as a Potential Deep-League Saves Source

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jose Fermin has been an emergent young arm in his team's bullpen in 2026. Across 39 innings (36 games), the 24-year-old has recorded a 3.23 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts. Fermin is averaging 96.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 26.5% of the batters he's faced this year. He also picked up the first save of his big-league career on Friday. With the Angels having traded right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, Fermin could be poised to step into more regular save opportunities in Los Angeles. The Angels have other high-leverage options in right-hander Ben Joyce and left-hander Samy Natera Jr., so fantasy managers should not expect Fermin to exclusively work in the ninth inning. Still, Fermin could be a worthy flier to target on the waiver wire in deeper leagues.

Aug 11

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Joshua Baez Holds Must-Stash Upside Amid Open Role on MLB Roster

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez enters Week 20 as a top stash target, with a clear path to the major leagues. Ahead of the trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals parted ways with veteran corner outfielder Lars Nootbaar. As a result, Baez faces even less competition for a spot on the MLB roster down the stretch. Additionally, the young outfielder has seen his production take another step forward, suggesting he could be on the verge of a call-up. Over his last 15 games at the top club in the system (since July 21), Baez has posted a dominant .293/.354/.603 slash line with six doubles, four home runs and three stolen bases. On the season, he has gone deep 33 times and swiped 18 bags. His five-category upside makes him a must-stash ahead of Week 20.

Aug 10

Jordan Walker • RF • Cardinals

Jordan Walker Back In Cardinals Lineup Friday

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (right knee) is back in the starting lineup Friday against the Colorado Rockies. Walker was scratched shortly before Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees because of right knee inflammation and remained out Wednesday before the Cardinals had Thursday off. The 24-year-old was batting .285 with 22 home runs and 81 RBI when the issue surfaced. He had also collected two hits, including a triple, in Monday's series opener at Yankee Stadium. Walker's return after missing only two games is good news for fantasy managers, who can get him back into their lineups Friday.

Aug 7

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Joshua Baez A Priority Stash Target With Viable Path To Starting Job

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has performed all season at Triple-A Memphis, and it is starting to look like there is a realistic opportunity for him to make his MLB debut. Baez has 32 homers and 84 RBI at Memphis this season and has added 75 runs scored and 18 stolen bases with a .252 batting average. Baez is the No. 3 prospect in the Cardinals organization and is graded out at 60 for his power with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade run tool. St. Louis has an opening in the outfield, Baez's position, and they will likely add Baez to their outfield among Jordan Walker and Nathan Church. A highly productive power-speed combination, Baez makes an elite stash candidate, and given a chance to debut, he could produce in a big way for fantasy managers.

Aug 7

Jordan Walker • RF • Cardinals

Jordan Walker Remains Out With Knee Injury

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (knee) will remain sidelined for Wednesday's tilt in the Bronx against the New York Yankees, per MLB.com. Jose Fermin will man right field and bat cleanup for the Cards against Yankees right-hander Will Warren. Walker will sit out a second straight game after he was scratched from the starting nine on Tuesday with inflammation in his right knee. Hopefully, it's nothing that keeps the right-handed slugging All-Star out for too much longer. The 24-year-old former top outfield prospect took a while to deliver on his power/speed potential, but he has finally come through in 2026, slashing .285/.343/.491 with an .834 OPS, 22 home runs, 81 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 111 games and 432 plate appearances in a career year. Walker even won the Home Run Derby over Kyle Schwarber in his first All-Star experience. His underlying metrics support Walker's 2026 breakout as well, so if healthy, fantasy managers should expect more of the same the rest of the way.

Aug 5

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Joshua Baez a Must-Stash with Open Role on MLB Roster

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez remains one of the top bats to stash in fantasy, and with the departure of Lars Nootbaar at the trade deadline, there is one less roadblock to playing time with the big league club. The Cardinals' third-ranked prospect is 11-for-30 (.367) over his last eight games, with eight of those 11 hits going for extra bases (five doubles, three home runs), while adding three more steals to his season total. On the year, the former second-round draft pick is slashing .251/.325/.573 with 32 home runs, which are the most at Triple-A this season; he's also added 18 steals. While the strikeout rate remains elevated at 29.9 percent, the power is undeniable, and along with his speed, the 6-foot-3 slugger makes for a highly coveted waiver wire stash in all fantasy leagues, who should make his MLB debut in the coming weeks.

Aug 5

Jordan Walker • RF • Cardinals

Jordan Walker Scratched on Tuesday With Knee Inflammation

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (knee) has been scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the New York Yankees in the Bronx due to right-knee inflammation, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. With Walker sitting out, Nelson Velazquez will start in right field for the Red Birds and will bat cleanup against Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers. Until we know more about Walker's condition, the 24-year-old right-handed power hitter will be deemed day-to-day. Fantasy managers will be crossing their fingers that it's not a serious injury that will send the former first-rounder to the injured list, as he's been one of the most valuable outfielders in the game in what has been a breakout campaign for him in 2026. Walker entered Tuesday's action with a .285/.343/.491 slash line, .834 OPS, 22 home runs, 81 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 111 games across 475 plate appearances. While Walker has still been valuable all year, he has just seven home runs in June and July compared to 15 long balls in the first two months of the year. Check back on Walker's status on Wednesday.

Aug 4

Alec Burleson • 1B • Cardinals

Alec Burleson Hits Three Homers, Drives in Six Runs in Win Over Yankees

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman/outfielder Alec Burleson was nearly all the offense the Cardinals needed in Monday's 13-7 win over the hosting New York Yankees in the Bronx. Burleson had a day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three home runs, six RBI, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .288 and his OPS to .830. As a controllable young slugger, Burleson was getting calls from other teams on the trade deadline on Monday, but the Cardinals elected not to move him, and they're probably pretty happy with that decision. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger is now up to a .288/.350/.480 slash line this year with 18 home runs and 77 RBI for the Red Birds. Burleson was money in July, going 31-for-106 (.293) with two home runs, seven doubles, 14 RBI, 15 runs scored, and a stolen base in 28 games played, but the knock against him is that he's hitting just .194 (26-for-134) with three of his 18 homers against lefties and his poor defensive metrics. His advanced hitting metrics support his overall production, though, as he comes in with a .296 expected batting average and .379 xwOBA.

Aug 3

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Joshua Baez has Clear Path to MLB At-Bats Following Trade

St. Louis Cardinals top outfield prospect Joshua Baez could now find himself on the fast track to the big leagues for the remainder of the 2026 season after the team traded outfielder Lars Nootbaar to the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Aug. 3 deadline on Monday. Baez is considered St. Louis' No. 3 prospect and the No. 44 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. The 23-year-old former second-rounder in 2021 has hit .251/.324/.577 with a .901 OPS, 32 home runs, 83 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 73 runs scored in 95 games and 426 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis this year. Baez can play center field and right field, which will give the Cardinals more options when they decide to bring him up, but with Nootbaar now out of the picture in center, it would not be a surprise if Baez is called up from the farm sooner rather than later. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound right-handed hitter's raw power and speed upside make him worth stashing in even single-year formats if you have room on your bench. Baez is an obvious candidate for 30 homers and 20 steals at the big-league level.

Aug 3

Alec Burleson • 1B • Cardinals

Alec Burleson a Trade Candidate at the Deadline?

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman/outfielder Alec Burleson is one of "the most popular controllable bats on the trade market," a source told Jon Morosi of the MLB Network. There is still time for Burleson to get traded before Monday's Aug. 3 deadline, but it remains to be seen if a contending team will offer the Cardinals enough to get something done. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger is under team control for two more years after 2026, which makes him pretty attractive, especially since he goes into Monday's action with a .284/.347/.458 slash line, .805 OPS, 15 home runs, 71 RBI, 57 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 111 games and 472 plate appearances in 2026 in his fifth year in the majors with the Cardinals. Burleson needs only seven more home runs to set a new career high in that department, and his .805 OPS is a career best. The former second-rounder from East Carolina University hit .293 (31-for-106) with a .751 OPS in 28 games in July, but he's batting just .194 (26-for-134) with two of his 15 homers on the year against left-handers, and his future is likely as a full-time DH.

Aug 3

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Joshua Baez Crushes Home Run No. 32 as MLB Debut Nears

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez launched his 32nd home run of the Triple-A regular season on Thursday evening. Facing Jacksonville, the outfielder went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Baez has enjoyed a recent power surge at Memphis, hitting four long balls over his last 11 contests. On the season, the No. 48-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline's recent update has carried a .251/.323/.577 slash line with a dominant .900 OPS. He has swiped an impressive 16 bags and added another 19 doubles with three triples. With the Cardinals now expected to entertain offers on some veteran pieces, including outfielder Lars Nootbaar, Baez's MLB debut could come shortly after the deadline. His five-category appeal makes him a top stash target across all formats.

Jul 31

Quinn Mathews • SP • Cardinals

Quinn Mathews a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Ahead of Saturday Debut

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect Quinn Mathews is a priority target on the waiver wire ahead of his MLB debut on Saturday. Mathews is currently viewed as the team's No. 6 prospect on MLB.com and is outside the current top-100 rankings on MLB Pipeline. However, the southpaw has enjoyed a dominant stretch at Triple-A, which prompted the promotion. Over his last 56 1/3 innings at the top club (since May 28), the southpaw has been near-perfect, posting a 1.60 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, with a 67:22 K:BB. Before this noted stretch, Mathews struggled against the top hitters of the minor leagues, carrying a hefty 5.55 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings of work. While it is still unknown if he will remain with the major-league club for the long-term, his recent Triple-A production makes him a worthy target in all standard leagues ahead of his debut.

Jul 31

Quinn Mathews • SP • Cardinals

Cardinals Top Prospect Quinn Mathews to Make MLB Debut on Saturday

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews will be called up from Triple-A Memphis to make his major-league debut and start on Saturday in Toronto against the Blue Jays, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The 25-year-old 6-foot-5, 188-pounder should immediately be in play as a waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers in all league formats as the Cardinals' No. 7 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The former fourth-round pick in 2023 from Stanford University is getting the call to the Show after going 5-3 with a 3.13 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 111:52 K:BB in 92 innings across 19 starts at Memphis this year. Mathews has been particularly effective since June, posting a sharp 1.55 ERA in his 52 1/3 innings. He features a fastball, sinker, slider, and a changeup, and he'll occasionally mix in a curveball for good measure. Mathews has plenty of strikeout upside with an 11.5 K/9 in his three minor-league seasons, but mechanical issues have hurt his command/control at times. He could have a strong MLB debut this weekend against a Blue Jays offense with the second-worst OPS (.684) in all of baseball in 2026.

Jul 30

Quinn Mathews • SP • Cardinals

Quinn Mathews Deals Gem in Latest Triple-A Start

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews is coming off a superb start at Triple-A Memphis in which he hurled seven shutout innings with three hits and an unearned run with 10 strikeouts against three walks. Mathews picked up a win for his efforts, moving his overall record this season to 5-3. The left-hander has spent the entire season at Memphis, compiling a 3.13 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP with 111 strikeouts in 92 innings pitched. In four July starts, Mathews has racked up a 1.04 ERA and 0.77 WHIP as he has raised the level of his game as the summer months have heated up. The No. 7 prospect on the Cardinals' list, Mathews boasts a 60-grade changeup and a 55-grade slider. After four years at Stanford, the 25-year-old is nearing big league ready and it would be wise to add him now before a potential late-season promotion.

Jul 30

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