Sadly, we have reached the last minor league update of the 2026 season. These are a bit time-consuming, so I suppose it’s not that sad for me, but it’s just another reminder that there’s no more baseball to follow. Technically, the AFL is there, but it doesn’t scratch the same itch. At least this year there’s some interesting prospects to follow.
Memphis
Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP – 23 (#6 VEB prospect)
Stats: 11 GS, 52.2 IP, 27.1 K%, 11.8 BB%, 49.6 GB%, .343 BABIP, 4.61 ERA/3.22 FIP/4.21 xFIP
Cijntje played his
first game at Memphis on July 19th and a day later was my first half update for pitchers. He had better stats at Memphis than Springfield, so score one for the scouting department on knowing when to promote him.
Jimmy Crooks, C – 24 (#8 VEB prospect)
Stats (since 9/1): 13 G, 59 PAs, .408/.492/.592, 15.3 BB%, 25.4 K%, .184 ISO, .545 BABIP, 185 wRC+
We all knew he had good AAA stats when the Cardinals decided to promote him to the big leagues. So instead of the full season stats, why not share how he did in September in response to getting demoted? Better than Nolan Gorman, that’s for sure.
Tink Hence, RHP – 24 (#10 VEB prospect)
Didn’t pitch after July 19th, was very bad when he did pitch. Had surgery of some sort. Not even Jeff Jones knew what surgery he had, so your guess is as good as mine.
Ixan Henderson, LHP – 24 (#16 VEB prospect)
Only ended up pitching in one game at Memphis after a monthlong rehab process. He walked four and struck out none, although he didn’t allow a run. He was shut down after that one start however.
Chase Davis, OF – 24
Stats: 50 G, 200 PAs, .229/.315/.377, 11 BB%, 26 K%, .149 ISO, .286 BABIP, 81 wRC+
Once again, his Springfield stats predated my halftime update, so I don’t feel the need to share those stats as well. It was only a 106 wRC+, but did come with a somewhat low BABIP. He also got hurt in his last game at AA, missed some time, played rehab games in the lower levels and when he was deemed ready, was sent to AAA.
Mason Molina, LHP – 22
Stats: 13 GS, 54.2 IP, 28.2 K%, 11.2 BB%, 41.2 GB%, .338 BABIP, 4.45 ERA/4.29 FIP/4.36 xFIP
At some point, I’m sure I’ll cover a player who wasn’t promoted midseason. Easier on me not to have to transcribe stats for two different levels though. He didn’t really pitch better in Memphis, but it would be accurate to say he didn’t miss a step.
Brandt Thompson, RHP – 23
Stats: 16 G (11 GS), 67.2 IP, 22.4 K%, 9.4 BB%, 50.7 GB%, .378 BABIP, 4.79 ERA/3.99 FIP/4.15 xFIP
This 17th rounder adapted fairly well to his midseason promotion to Memphis – of course – with the exception of a really high BABIP. Whether unlucky or not, his pro career started in 2025, so hard to complain about a 17th rounder with mediocre stats in AAA.
Colton Ledbetter, OF – 24
Stats: 113 G, 477 PAs, .269/.338/.429, 8.8 BB%, 27.5 K%, .159 ISO, .355 BABIP, 100 wRC+
Ledbetter’s season started extremely slow, but he recovered in the 2nd half. His xwOBA was just .299 (actual wOBA .343), so safe to say the batted ball metrics aren’t supportive of him.
Ramon Mendoza, IF – 25
Stats: 115 G, 463 PAs, .291/.380/.437, 10.6 BB%, 18.4 K%, .146 ISO, .350 BABIP, 118 wRC+
Look babe, another Jose Fermin. I jest…. kind of.
Pete Hansen, LHP – 25
Stats: 26 (20 GS), 101.1 IP, 21.6 K%, 8 BB%, 41.7 GB%, .315 BABIP, 4.53 ERA/4.18 FIP/4.49 xFIP
The most boring prospect alive. Everything is average. Wouldn’t be as big of a deal if he was younger.
Matt Svanson, RHP – 27
Stats: 22 G, 23.1 IP, 30.4 K%, 5.4 BB%, 50 GB%, .304 BABIP, 1.54 ERA/2.11 FIP/3.20 xFIP
Well he dominated the hell out of AAA at least. Certainly pitched well enough to avoid a DFA and some hope that he’ll recover what he lost.
Ryan Fernandez, RHP – 28
Stats: 35 G, 38.2 IP, 22.3 K%, 9 BB%, 44.4 GB%, .269 BABIP, 3.26 ERA/4.24 FIP/4.35 xFIP
I will repeat it is amazing how long it took the Cardinals to send down Fernandez last season, but once they did, he became persona non grata. He was okay in Memphis, better in St. Louis, but I never really got the impression the Cardinals ever wanted to use him.
Sandro Santana, LHP – 21 (Traded in a package for Lars Nootbaar)
Stats (High A): 20 G, 30.2 IP, 37.4 K%, 10.7 BB%, 45.3 GB%, .359 BABIP, 2.93 ERA/2.94 FIP/2.94 xFIP
AA: 19 G, 24.1 IP, 44.3 K%, 10.2 BB%, .179 BABIP, 65 GB%, 0.74 ERA/2.14 FIP/2.17 xFIP
AAA: 7 G, 9 IP, 36.1 K%, 22.2 BB%, .067 BABIP, 40 GB%, 2.00 ERA/3.26 FIP/4.47 xFIP
He will be in the MLB next year.
Skylar Hales, RHP – 24
Stats: 39 G, 44 IP, 21.7 K%, 14.3 BB%, 49.6 GB%, .374 BABIP, 6.34 ERA/5.37 FIP/4.84 xFIP
Well, the Mason Molina part of the Phil Maton trade is working out really well at least. Not so much this part of the trade. But it was for 2 months of Maton so feels like found money either way.
Springfield
Liam Doyle, LHP – 22 (VEB’s #2 prospect)
Stats: 23 G, 103 IP, 30 K%, 12.5 BB%, 36.3 GB%, .301 BABIP, 3.76 ERA/4.10 FIP/4.66 xFIP
Does not include his two postseason appearances. Pitched 3.2 IP with 8 Ks and 5 BBs with one earned run and then later 5 IP with 6 Ks and 2 BBs and no earned runs. Kind of surprised, even with the playoff innings, that he didn’t throw more innings. Followed up a 95.2 IP college season with 111.2 IP.
Rainiel Rodriguez, C – 19 (VEB’s #3 prospect)
Stats: 87 G, 402 PAs, .328/.408/.591, 10.2 BB%, 19.2 K%, .264 ISO, .359 BABIP, 151 wRC+
Meh
Brandon Clarke, LHP – 23 (VEB’s #9 prospect)
Stats (High A): 5 GS, 18.2 IP, 36.5 K%, 12.2 BB%, 61.8 GB%, .235 BABIP, 3.44 ERA/3.56 FIP/3.51 xFIP
I should have posted his stats in the last update, because he only actually pitched in one game in Springfield. It was a very good 4 inning appearance with seven strikeouts and one walk and no runs allowed.
Tanner Franklin, RHP – 22 (VEB’s #12 prospect)
Stats (High A): 19 GS, 72.2 IP, 29.4 K%, 10.3 BB%, 45.1 GB%, .292 BABIP, 4.21 ERA/4.54 FIP/4.43 xFIP
AA: 6 GS, 32.1 IP, 30.9 K%, 9.6 BB%, .351 BABIP, 3.34 ERA/3.30 FIP/4.33 xFIP
Franklin also threw 6.1 IP in the playoffs with 9 strikeouts and one walk. I do not know why they don’t just include playoff stats in their overall stats, I get it for the majors, but not the minors.
Deniel Ortiz, 1B/3B – 22 (VEB’s #18 prospect)
Stats: 62 G, 288 PAs, .279/.392/.474, 15 BB%, 18.4 K%, .195 ISO, .309 BABIP, 123 wRC+
Slipped way under the radar thanks to being hurt for most of the first half, but he very quietly had a solid season.
Yhoiker Fajardo, RHP – 19 (VEB’s #19 prospect)
High A: 18 G (16 GS), 76.1 IP, 32.1 K%, 7.9 BB%, 41.5 GB%, .359 BABIP, 4.01 ERA/4.18 FIP/3.75 xFIP
AA: 5 GS, 25 IP, 22.9 K%, 6.7 BB%, 49.3 GB%, .342 BABIP, 3.24 ERA/3.14 FIP/4.20 xFIP
He didn’t really pitch better in Springfield – he wasn’t great in his two postseason starts, although he did strike out 7 in one of them. But he certainly pitched well overall as a 19-year-old in AA, which is crazy.
Daniel Eagen, RHP – 23 (Traded in a package for Lars Nootbaar)
Stats: 26 GS, 122 IP, 30.7 K%, 8 BB%, 44.7 GB%, .291 BABIP, 4.72 ERA/4.82 FIP/4.10 xFIP
Eagen also pitched 9 innings with 12 strikeouts, 2 walks, and 2 earned runs in the playoffs. Pitched noticeably better overall in his five starts (and seven appearances) as a Cardinal.
Jack Gurevitch, 1B – 22
Stats (High A): 59 G, 273 PAs, .302/.375/.566, 8.8 BB%, 27.5 K%, .264 ISO, .371 BABIP, 135 wRC+
AA: 32 G, 141 PAs, .258/.298/.500, 3.5 BB%, 39 K%, .362 BABIP, 95 wRC+
Well, the power is for real, let’s get those plate discipline numbers in a better place though, cause that strikeout rate won’t play.
Jesus Baez, SS – 21
Stats: 59 G, 257 PAs, .316/.354/.679, 3.9 BB%, 16 K%, .363 ISO, .282 BABIP, 149 wRC+
I’m in a pickle, because I can’t say anything in the vicinity of negativity in these posts, so I will just say factually speaking, he had a 92 wRC+ in High A and his 3.9 BB% would not rank very highly on the MLB leaderboards.
Josiah Ragsdale, OF – 22 (traded in a package for Dustin May)
Stats (High A): 54 G, 243 PAs, .247/.300/.489, 7.4 BB%, 16 K%, 24.2 K%, .201 ISO, .438 BABIP, 152 wRC+
AA: 56 G, 260 PAs, .263/.388/.545, 16.2 BB%, 27.3 K%, .282 ISO, .307 BABIP, 138 wRC+
He had a dead average hitting line as a Cardinal, so most of greatness was actually as a Brewer.
Won-Bin Cho, OF – 22
Stats: 54 G, 221 PAs, .272/.389/.516, 15.8 BB%, 20.4 K%, .245 ISO, .297 BABIP, 131 wRC+
In the first half, he had a near identical hitting line in High A, but he actually had a much better BABIP than in Springfield. Because he struck out less and had more power in AA.
Chen-Wei Lin, RHP – 24
Stats: 26 G (17 GS), 102.2 IP, 26 K%, 11.2 BB%, 48 GB%, .319 BABIP, 5.00 ERA/4.61 FIP/4.81 xFIP
Presented without comment
Tai Peete, OF – 20 (Traded in a package for Brendan Donovan)
Stats (High A): 42 G, 200 PAs, .300/.370/.611, 10 BB%, 28.5 K%, .311 ISO, .389 BABIP, 141 wRC+
AA: 21 G, 100 PAs, .319/.360/.489, 6 BB%, 23 K%, .170 ISO, .397 BABIP, 116 wRC+
Crazy that hitting line is only a 116 wRC+. Gives you an idea of the run environment
Blake Aita, RHP – 23 (Traded in a package for Willson Contreras)
Stats: 10 G, 54 IP, 17.8 K%, 5.8 BB%, 35.8 GB%, .319 BABIP, 6.00 ERA/6.35 FIP/5.67 xFIP
He made 14 starts in High A, which featured a much higher strikeout rate, but also a higher walk rate. Hunter Dobbins and Fajardo were also in the trade for Contreras, so think of Aita as a bonus.
Travis Honeyman, OF – 24
Stats: 79 G, 329 PAs, .273/.374/.404, 11.2 BB%, 16.4 K%, .131 ISO, .309 BABIP, 106 wRC+
Honeyman seems to have gotten injured on July 21st, played in a week’s worth of rehab games a Low A a month later, appeared in precisely one game at Springfield at the beginning of September and then missed the rest of the season.
Cade McGee, 3B – 23
Stats (High A): 86 G, 363 PAs, .220/.366/.426, 13.2 BB%, 25.6 K%, .267 BABIP, 108 wRC+
I should have listed him in the lower level section, but he did actually get promoted to AA for the last 10 games of the year (and the playoffs). He must have been on a hot streak, because he absolutely killed it in Springfield with three homers in 10 games for a 177 wRC+.
Braden Davis, LHP – 23
Stats: 26 GS, 110 IP, 28.3 K%, 14.4 BB%, 41.5 GB%, .328 BABIP, 5.15 ERA/5.12 FIP/4.90 xFIP
Still missing bats and the strike zone on a frequent basis.
Tre Richardson, IF – 24
Stats: 59 G, 241 PAs, .269/.357/.429, 11.2 BB%, 25.3 K%, .160 ISO, .343 BABIP, 104 wRC+
He rose from the dead in High A, delivering unexpected power, so power to him for being average at AA. He also seems quite good defensively from the few games I watched.
Ryan Campos, C – 23
Stats: 111 G, 477 PAs, .259/.379/.398, 14.5 BB%, 23.3 K%, .140 ISO, .327 BABIP, 106 wRC+
Campos’ bat has never been the question with him, it has been his defense. Which eye test-wise, did not look particularly good in the AA playoffs.
Randal Clemente, RHP – 24
Stats: 43 G, 49.1 IP, 40.7 K%, 19.9 BB%, 48.8 GB% .370 BABIP, 5.29 ERA/4.21 FIP/3.81 xFIP
Very weird line.
Michael Watson, LHP – 24
Stats: 46 G, 52.2 IP, 29.1 K%, 15 BB%, 42.1 GB%, .355 BABIP, 4.96 ERA/5.18 FIP/5.12 xFIP
Definitely thought he had a chance to be in St. Louis this season after his 2025, but he didn’t even make it to Memphis.
Nolan Sparks, RHP – 24
Stats: 17 G, 19.1 IP, 34.6 K%, 11.1 BB%, 34.1 GB%, .268 BABIP, 2.79 ERA/3.70 FIP/4.19 xFIP
He spent the first half of the season in High A and all you need to know is that he wasn’t really that good – he had a considerably lower strikeout rate. Hopefully, something clicked.
Jack Findlay, LHP – 23
Stats: 37 G, 45.2 IP, 26.6 K%, 12.1 BB%, 44.3 GB%, .342 BABIP, 4.53 ERA/4.49 FIP/4.54 xFIP
He proved too good for High A almost immediately, but AA proved to be more of a challenge. In the context of the run environment, these are closer to mediocre numbers than they might appear.
