What Spring Training is telling us about the Cardinals
Early performances are starting to sketch out who might make the 26-man roster in April. There’s also a sense of who could be waiting in the wings as the season rolls on.
BP contacts, evaluators, and clubhouse chatter all point to a few things: disciplined hitting, some real mid-rotation upside, and a crowd of versatile youngsters fighting for a shot. With a lean roster and a farm system full of talent, every spring at-bat and inning feels like it matters just a bit more.
Top Prospect JJ Wetherholt: a batting eye that speaks loudly
JJ Wetherholt has squeezed a lot out of a tiny sample size, showing off both plate discipline and power. He’s drawn walks, kept his contact rate steady, and launched a 422-foot homer with a 105.4 mph exit velocity.
He’s playing with confidence and making it clear he belongs in camp, maybe even on the Opening Day roster. We’ll have to see how he handles tougher pitching, but the base skills are there.
- Disciplined at the plate with a patient approach
- Power already translating to game impact
- Defensive versatility and readiness under the Cardinals’ watchful eye
Richard Fitts: velocity gains and a potential return on the Sonny Gray trade
Richard Fitts is adding some upside to the Cardinals’ rotation deeper in camp. He’s had limited action, but his stuff looks dominant, with fastball velocity jumping from last season’s 95.9 mph up to about 97.6 mph.
That kind of jump makes the Sonny Gray trade look smarter, and it’s giving Fitts a real shot at more opportunities as spring rolls on.
- Fastball command fluctuates, but velocity is enticing
- Secondary offerings need consistency to translate to major-league success
- Fit for a bullpen role if inning constraints demand
Joshua Baez: top-15 prospect pressing for a major-league look
Joshua Baez is another name to watch in the Cardinals’ pipeline. He’s hitting .286 through 14 at-bats and playing with a kind of aggression that could force the roster conversation.
If there’s an opening, Baez’s performance might just earn him a Major League call early in the season—especially if he keeps showing that raw power and presence at the plate.
- Solid contact with occasional power
- Competitive at-bats against premium pitching
- Roster decisions hinge on space and service-time considerations
Matthew Liberatore: building a case for a top-of-the-rotation ceiling
Matthew Liberatore is starting to look like a potential top-of-the-rotation starter in his spring outings. Over five innings, he’s allowed one walk and struck out seven, and there’s a visible uptick in velocity that hints at more effectiveness.
If Liberatore keeps moving forward, the Cardinals might see him as a long-term rotation piece, maybe even beyond Opening Day. Durability and depth like that? Pretty valuable in a crowded rotation.
- Gradual velocity increase adds ceiling
- Efficient strikeout-to-walk ratio
- Innings cap and health will dictate true role in 2026
Packy Naughton: a bullpen surprise gaining traction
Lefty Packy Naughton has been a pleasant surprise, tossing three scoreless innings and racking up four strikeouts. He’s making a case for the bullpen, showing the kind of late-inning versatility teams love.
If he keeps commanding his stuff against live hitters, his spring could turn into a real shot at the roster once the season starts.
- Low-era outings in controlled settings
- Left-handed flexibility adds utility
- Competition for bullpen spots remains open
Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman: flashes, but swing-and-miss persists
Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman have shown tools that excite, but swing-and-miss issues still hang around. The pair brings raw power and athleticism that can change games, yet the spring numbers also show where they’ll have to adjust to really stick at the highest level.
- Raw power on display; swing decisions under review
- Adjustments necessary to maximize upside
- Part of a larger youth movement aiming for impact in 2026
Victor Scott II, Jimmy Crooks, Nathaniel Church: optimism meets inconsistency
Victor Scott II, Jimmy Crooks, and Nathaniel Church have all had some solid moments this spring. There’s a sense of cautious optimism, but also plenty of inconsistency that’s hard to ignore.
Sometimes they flash real potential, then just as quickly, things get shaky.
- Execution has been all over the place from at-bat to at-bat
- They’re showing off some defensive versatility, which definitely adds value
- Their development is still ongoing—nobody’s a finished product yet
The Cardinals are watching this new wave of young players push for chances. There’s a tricky balance between giving the kids a shot and leaning on veteran experience.
Honestly, it’s tough to say who’s going to stick with the big league club this year—small sample sizes and roster crunches make it a guessing game. Who’s caught your eye so far? Drop your thoughts below and let’s see which names everyone’s rooting for as the roster starts to shift toward 2026.
Here is the source article for this story: Who’s Been Most Impressive in St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training So Far?
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