FEED Validator

for Atom and RSS and KML

Congratulations!

This is a valid Atom 1.0 feed.

Recommendations

This feed is valid, but interoperability with the widest range of feed readers could be improved by implementing the following recommendations.

line 49, column 0: content should not contain data-has-syndication-rights attribute (12 occurrences) [help]
```
						<img src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1 ...
```
line 49, column 0: content should not contain data-caption attribute (12 occurrences) [help]
```
						<img src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1 ...
```
line 49, column 0: content should not contain data-portal-copyright attribute (12 occurrences) [help]
```
						<img src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1 ...
```

line 748, column 0: content should not contain data-dnt attribute [help]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A W ...

Source: https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/rss/index.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><feed
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
xmlns:thr="http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0"
xml:lang="en-US"
>
<title type="text">Viva El Birdos</title>
<subtitle type="text">Your best source for quality St. Louis Cardinals news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.</subtitle>
<updated>2025-10-14T23:25:34+00:00</updated>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/rss/index.xml</id>
<link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/rss/index.xml" />
<entry>
<author>
<name>scooter</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers – A NLCS Game 2 thread for October 14, 2025]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-cardinals-game-threads/65176/los-angeles-dodgers-at-milwaukee-brewers-a-nlcs-game-2-thread-for-october-14-2025" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/65176/los-angeles-dodgers-at-milwaukee-brewers-a-nlcs-game-1-thread-for-october-13-2025</id>
<updated>2025-10-14T19:25:34-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-14T19:25:34-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="St. Louis Cardinals Game Threads" />
<content type="html">
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Jake Wood</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Break Out the Bats!]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-cardinals-sabermetrics-analysis/65165/break-out-the-bats" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/?p=65165</id>
<updated>2025-10-14T00:38:00-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-14T09:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="VEB Daily" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The third and final part in my mini series looking at some names to keep in mind as the Cardinals head into an offseason full of question marks. We’ve “Armed the rotation” and “built the bullpen,” now let’s turn our attention to the players responsible for scoring runs on a nightly basis for this team. […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<img src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/10/gettyimages-2237226515.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Iván Herrera #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a single that scored a run against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning at Oracle Park on September 24, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
The third and final part in my mini series looking at some names to keep in mind as the Cardinals head into an offseason full of question marks.
We’ve “Armed the rotation” and “built the bullpen,” now let’s turn our attention to the players responsible for scoring runs on a nightly basis for this team. This will be a challenging area to predict what the team will do, given the plethora of paths, varying performances from everyday regulars, and the new crew evaluating talent on the roster. Let’s get after it! I’ll start with the Catchers and work my way around the horn, and offer some thoughts or possibilities as we cross them.
Catchers
Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pages, and Yohel Pozo are the incumbents in this group, and youngster Jimmy Crooks had a shaky start to his big league career. The Cardinals also have to add fellow catching prospect Leonardo Bernal to the 40-man roster this offseason or risk exposing him to the Rule 5 draft! Five catchers on the roster does not exactly make the most sense. The Cardinals are going to give Ivan Herrera every chance to stick at catcher this winter and spring, but who knows beyond that. Pedro Pages draws the ire of a large portion of the fan base due to his light-hitting nature. Though I would contend he was simply exposed in the role he was thrust into, given the nature of Herrera’s injury problems this season. As a 77 wRC+ hitter for the season, that’s not a guy you want playing 120 games a year, but could he play 60-70 games and not hurt you? Sure!
Then there’s the lethal right-handed bat off the bench in Yohel Pozo. He seemed to fill the offensive role Luken Baker was intended to at the beginning of the season. Pozo doesn’t swing and miss very often and is completely allergic to walks. That said, if the Cardinals kept him as a potential bench bat/AAA depth, I think that would be fine. But, if they decided to trade or release him, I could also under the logic behind that as well. 
Jimmy Crooks is the true wild card of the group in my eyes. He was solid defensively but had no offense to speak of. Crooks posted a wRC+ of 5 in his 46 PA sample size. SMALL SAMPLE ALERT! Maybe, though if you follow other Cardinals content creators, who focus on the minor leagues, theyd tell you that Crooks struggles to control the strike zone from an offensive perspective have been well documented and that it is a chronic concern for him. Pages July was abysmal resluting in -19 wRC+ but outside of that and his random incredible month of August posting a 200 wRC+ he hovered between 50-80 wRC+ which is an acceptable back up, glove first, catcher. Given that Bernal should spend the entirety of 2026 in AAA there really isnt room for Crooks to return there and there isnt really room at the big league level knowing that the Cardinals love Pages, despite fan reservations, which leads me to believe Crooks will be trade bait this offseason, perhaps in search of young controllable pitching who could also be struggling to break through to a teams big league staff.
Infield
<img src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/10/gettyimages-2237927027.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0.0041284782429187,100,99.991743043514" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 28: Thomas Saggese #25 of the St. Louis Cardinals turns a double play as Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs slides into second base during the third inning at Wrigley Field on September 28, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
I do expect a lot of pushback from this section, and that’s okay, so let’s just start where we can all agree or at least 90% + of us agree. Nolan Arenado is going to (actually) be traded this offseason, Masyn Winn is your starting Shortstop, and barring the stars aligning Willson Contreras will be your first basemen. That leaves 2nd and 3rd base as openings on the infield for JJ Wetherholt, Brendan Donovan, Thomas Saggese, Nolan Gorman.
It is yet to be discovered, though I do intend on finding out from internal sources one way or another, what the new regime values MORE. Is it going to be service time or opportunity to earn additional draft capitol? If the Cardinals view themselves as multiple seasons away from true contention that an additional year of service time from holding JJ back at the begining of the season would be unpopular, but, strategically sound in keeping him in the birds on the bat for an additional season. Or, if JJ is as good as we all think he is capable of being in his rookie season. He has to be early odds on favorite for the NL ROTY which would net the Cardinals additional draft capitol for a team that is vigorously leaning into the “draft and develop” strategy moving forward. Finding out which ideology Chaim Bloom subscribes to helps us determine further clarity on this position group. If you hold JJ back there is room for all 3 players on the roster. If you push him to the majors on opening day you have a log jam and would need to move on from one of Donovan or Gorman.
This is where I expect significant pushback, so Jdog break out the torches and pitchfork GIF’s because Id keep Donovan in that scenerio thats possible to playout this offseason. We saw both players take steps forward the first half of this season. Donovan regressed because of injury and Gorman because I believe this is just who Gorman is. At the time he was traded, Dylan Carlson had more than 1500 PA as a Cardinal and pretty much universally we all felt comfortable saying we knew what he was and it wasnt what the Cardinals, or the fans, hoped he would be. Nolan Gorman has 1581 career plate appearances and was barely above replacement level this season and was below replacement level in 2024. You have to go back to 2023 when he post 2.3 fWAR the last time he was an actual productive player.
Meanwhile, you have a player in Brendan Donovan who is the heart and soul of this club, earned his first of what I expect to be multiple All Star appearances, even in the middle of injury stricken seasons has yet to post a wRC+ below 115, and has been a 3 win player each of the last 2 seasons and you could make an argument he had a chance to be that in 2023 if not for injury shortening his season and in 2022 had he had the full season on the roster not being called up until early May. Donovan is consistent, solid, and a steady presence that is BENEFICIAL to a culture trying to usher in young talent. I know he’s getting closer to free agency but I would extend Donovan and buy out his remaining 2 years of arbitration and 3 of his free agency years. That would take him up to his age 33 season and you can then make a decision to keep him longer or walk away knowing you got the prime years of his career before the agining curve could potentially start to cause a decline in play. If he’s willing to take a hometown discount and live in the 12 to 15 million AAV range I think the Cardinals would be shrude to lock him up. If Donnie wants market rate I think you trade him and cash out on the asset. But, lets not pretend that a below market value contract that still compensates Donovan well wouldnt be the ideal outcome for a team trying to build itself back up and has stated it doesnt intend to concede anything.
Not to make Saggese the afterthought in this whole process but you get a solid part time right handed hitting high bat to ball skill infielder who can play multiple positions and if he can take a step forward like Burleson did this season in pitch selection and not just hitting the ball because he can get to it there is more damage potential in his bat that could be a welcome surprise. His glove is average and may flash above at times but he’s a solid complimentary player as is.
OUTFIELD
<img src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/09/gettyimages-2237019503.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0.61728395061728,100,98.765432098765" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates after he scored against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fourth inning at Oracle Park on September 22, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
Lars Nootbaar, Victor Scott II, Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, Nathan Church. Those are the 5 names that comprised the majority of the outfield reps last season. With 2 season remaining until free agency I think its safe to say that the Cardinals will move on from Lars Nootbaar this offseason and Alec Burleson will be your primary left fielder/DH going into next season with Victor Scott in CF and Chaim Bloom recently spoke on the Gashouse Gang on KMOX and made it sound as though the Cardinals are going to give Jordan Walker the offseason to get himself right and run it back in RF. Nathan Church is your ideal 4th outfielder/pinch runner possesing high end defensive traits and above average speed but didnt display much with the bat and perhaps a full season of big league exposure could lead to more but for now he appears destined for that role breaking camp.
It’s no secret that the Cardinals are currently projected short on the pitching side and the one of the local sports talk radio shows suggested an idea that is stuck in my head. On BK and Ferrario on 101.1 ESPN they suggested using Lars Nootbaar the same way that Cincinnati used Jonathon India last offseason to acquire Brady Singer. Perhaps, in a hypothetical swap the Cardinals could send Lars Nootbaar to Atlanta (who just outrighted Jarred Kelenic and Marcell Ozuna is a FA) for SP Grant Holmes (not a free agent until 2031) and AAA LHP Hayden Harris (t-95 MPH FB from a 17 degree arm angle) to replace John King as your 2nd lefty in your bullpen. I wont dive too deeply into this hypothetical I’ll let you all feast on the meat remaining of that bone.
There aren’t obvious holes on the positon player side to address when it comes to adding external talent but there are places on the roster it will be fascinating to see how they value them internally. The Cardinals could conceivably add a RHH player who can play the outfield (Michael Helman was a good identified player the Cardinals gave up on too soon.) Im sure we can discuss those names when non tenders and rule 5 names become clearer but for now thats a vast chasm of names that is litteraly throwing a dart into a black hole hoping to hit something. But, as far as sexy pazzazz names the Cardinals could add it really should be addition by subtraction for the offensive side of the roster and perhaps they go further on that endeavor than we all expect which would create an opening for an unexpected opportunity type player, who knows! I hope this little series helped to shape expectations rationally enough as to what direction the tea leaves are reading right now. I dont forsee anything earth shattering taking place this offseason for the birds on the bat but I do expect them to be active and should give us plenty of bird seed to chew on this offseason.
-Thanks for reading
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>scooter</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers – A NLCS Game 1 thread for October 13, 2025]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-cardinals-game-threads/65161/los-angeles-dodgers-at-milwaukee-brewers-a-nlcs-game-1-thread-for-october-13-2025" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/65161/seattle-mariners-at-toronto-blue-jays-an-alcs-game-1-thread-for-october-12-2025</id>
<updated>2025-10-13T19:59:35-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-13T19:59:35-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="St. Louis Cardinals Game Threads" />
<content type="html">
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Gabe Simonds</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[End of season minor league update: rookie leagues (and some pitchers)]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-cardinals-sabermetrics-analysis/65145/end-of-season-minor-league-update-rookie-leagues-and-some-pitchers" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/?p=65145</id>
<updated>2025-10-13T09:19:45-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-13T08:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="VEB Daily" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you’ve been following along, I have been sharing the final season stats of the relevant Cardinal minor leaguers. Relevant being something that is admittedly determined by me, but I’ve also certainly shared players who I personally don’t think will make an impact too. I covered so many high minors pitchers that I was forced […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/10/gettyimages-2208481639.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
If you’ve been following along, I have been sharing the final season stats of the relevant Cardinal minor leaguers. Relevant being something that is admittedly determined by me, but I’ve also certainly shared players who I personally don’t think will make an impact too. I covered so many high minors pitchers that I was forced to push the High A pitchers and Low A pitchers and combine it with my planned rookie league post. Which is probably for the best because I think just the rookie leagues would be a short post. Let’s begin.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Peoria</h2>
Darlin Saladin, 22 – RHP (VEB’s #16 prospect)
Stats: 26 G (13 GS), 19.8 K%, 11.5 BB%, 48.2 GB%, .293 BABIP, 4.85 ERA/4.38 FIP/4.15 xFIP
An undeniably disappointing season since he made 12 pretty good starts at this same level last season. Weirder still, he threw over 5 innings per start at Peoria last year and was well under that this season. And yes being in the bullpen did affect his innings per appearance, but he mostly threw between 4 and 5 innings when he started. His high was 5 innings, which he only did three times.
Zack Showalter, 21 – RHP (VEB’s #17 prospect)
Stats (Low A): 7 G, 10 IP, 14 K%, 25.6 BB%, 47.4 GB%, .167 BABIP, 2.70 ERA/6.25 FIP/6.67 xFIP
High A: 13 G (GS), 18 IP, 26.7 K%, 24.4 BB%, 28.9 GB%, .225 BABIP, 4.50 ERA/4.69 FIP/5.99 xFIP
There’s no way he didn’t pitch hurt this season. I mean these are not the stats of a healthy pitcher. He struck out over 38% of batters in Low A last season. How do you go from that to these stats without being compromised in some way?
Jack Findlay, 22 – LHP
Stats (Low A): 28 G, 51.1 IP, 23.4 K%, 15.9 BB%, 42.8 GB%, .329 BABIP, 5.44 ERA/4.27 FIP/4.71 xFIP
High A: 5 G, 9.1 IP, 31.4 K%, 8.6 BB%, 50 GB%, .286 BABIP, 1.93 ERA/2.01 FIP/2.43 xFIP
The Cardinals have so many pitchers where I will be very interested in knowing both where they are posted and what their role will be. Findlay is a prime example. He struggled in Low A for most of the season, but his arm came into focus when he was promoted to High A, where he dominated. Presumably, he will transition to more of a starter workload, but will that be in High A? Will he still work out of the bullpen but throw more innings per appearance? Or will he be sent to AA? They literally do not have the space to send all these pitchers to AA and start, so we may see some creative usage to keep them as starting pitching prospects for as long as possible.
Nate Dohm, 22 – RHP (Amazin Avenue’s #14 prospect)
Stats (Low A): 7 GS, 28.1 IP, 27.9 K%, 8.2 BB%, 43.4 GB%, .351 BABIP, 3.18 ERA/2.66 FIP/3.14 xFIP
High A: 16 G, 46.2 IP, 27.9 K%, 10.9 BB%, 39 GB%, .289 BABIP, 3.28 ERA/4.27 FIP/3.52 xFIP
Dohm only threw 29.1 innings in 8 appearances while at Mississippi State in 2024. The Mets then drafted him in the 3rd round, he got traded as part of a package for Ryan Helsley, and then he didn’t do very well with the Cardinals, but only threw 12.1 IP in 5 “starts.” But he ended up with 75 innings, which is quite a jump from 29 innings. So I’d probably not pay too much attention to his Cardinals performance.
Frank Ellisalt, 23 – RHP
Stats (Low A): 18 G (7 GS), 50.2 IP, 28.4 K%, 10.4 BB%, 30.2 GB%, .222 BABIP, 3.02 ERA/3.69 FIP/3.64 xFIP
High A: 6 G (3 GS), 15.1 IP, 22.2 K%, 12.7 BB%, 35 GB%, .282 BABIP, 4.70 ERA/4.19 FIP/4.26 xFIP
I don’t know if he had an injury, but he legitimately did not pitch from August 16th until September 5th, and then the season was effectively over. Ellisalt too was in the Helsley trade, and was also drafted last year by the Mets, but he was in the 19th round. He sadly does not have the innings excuse, as he threw 51 innings out of Nova Southeastern in 2024.
Mason Molina, 21 – LHP
Stats (Low A): 11 GS, 46.2 IP, 32.3 K%, 8.3 BB%, 43.6 GB%, .298 BABIP, 3.86 ERA/3.87 FIP/2.94 xFIP
High A: 12 G, 49 IP, 28.1 K%, 13.3 BB%, 36.3 GB%, .270 BABIP, 2.39 ERA/3.38 FIP/4.03 xFIP
I get why Dohm was ranked by Amazin Avenue – 3rd round pick, pretty decent stats, good stuff. I also get why Eillsalt wasn’t – old for his level and 19th round pick. I am surprised to find that Molina was not ranked by Lone Star Ball at midseason – purely based on scouting the stat line. He’s pretty young, he was a 7th round pick, and those are great stats. Too many walks, especially when he got to High A, but swing and miss stuff and he’s just 21. He’s pretty much the only guy who performed the same when he got traded, maybe because he’s been traded before (he was drafted by the Brewers).
Braden Davis, 22 – LHP
Stats (Low A): 17 G (14 GS), 33.9 K%, 17.1 BB%, 53.7 GB, .273 BABIP, 3.18 ERA/3.66 FIP/3.45 xFIP
High A: 8 GS, 33.6 K%, 15.4 BB%, 28.2 GB%, .205 BABIP, 2.21 ERA/2.81 FIP/3.88 xFIP
I find it kind of fascinating that the main evidence of Davis advancing a level is his GB rate. It was almost cut in half. Otherwise, he maintained his K rate and lowered his BB rate. I’m curious if he’s put in Springfield to begin the year, which is only a question because of his walk rate and the amount of pitchers who might get sent to (or stay in) Springfield already. 
Jason Savacool, 23 – RHP
Stats (Low A): 11 G, 21.5 K%, 7.5 BB%, 58.5 GB%, .235 BABIP, 1.61 ERA/3.28 FIP/3.49 xFIP
High A: 12 G (10 GS), 22.6 K%, 12.5 BB%, 48.1 GB%, .352 BABIP, 4.66 ERA/4.38 FIP/4.17 xFIP
I can squint and see a future long reliever in Savacool based upon his ability to generate groundballs, although I think he’ll have to do better than a 48% rate if he’s not going to strike out many hitters.
Jose Davila, 22 – RHP
Stats: 24 G (22 GS), 19.4 K%, 11 BB%, 45.3 GB%, .334 BABIP, 6.06 ERA/5.03 FIP/4.67 xFIP
Fangraphs ranked Davila the 20th prospect in the system and they shared those rankings mid-season, which means they were aware of these stats when they put him there. I don’t get it, but at least someone believes in him.
Gerardo Salas, 22 – RHP
Stats: 25 G (19 GS), 20.3 K%, 8.8 BB%, 41.2 GB%, .378 BABIP, 8.10 ERA/5.05 FIP/4.28 xFIP
It’s really weird to see reasonable stats – slightly below average K rate, average-ish walk rate, gets groundballs at a decent rate – and then see the 8.10 ERA. The BABIP is partially to blame, but he almost allowed half the men who got on base to score too. Whether this is completely deserved or somewhat unlucky, we should find out next season.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Palm Beach</h2>
Leonel Sequera, 19 – RHP
Stats: 24 GS, 108 IP, 20.9 K%, 8.7 BB%, 50.8 GB%, .330 BABIP, 4.33 ERA/3.45 FIP/3.94 xFIP
A perfectly respectable season that is only slightly more exciting than it should be, because he did it at 19-years-old. He will presumably pitch in Peoria next season.
Andrew Dutkanych IV, 21 – RHP
Stats: 6 GS, 14.1 IP, 35.6 K%, 16.9 BB%, 46.4 GB%, .269 BABIP, 2.51 ERA/4.52 FIP/3.22 xFIP
He also threw 3 innings in the complex leagues, but that was really more rehab appearances. He only ended up with 17.2 IP all year, so let’s throw him into the pile of pitchers where I’m curious what the plan will be. Definitely on the starter track, but at what level and how many innings?
Jacob Odle, 21 – RHP
Stats (CPX): 4 GS, 8.2 IP, 41.7 K%, 5.6 BB%, 37.5 GB%, .211 BABIP, 4.15 ERA/0.80 FIP/1.36 xFIP
Low A: 13 GS, 43 IP, 27.7 K%, 17.9 BB%, 41.7 GB%, .373 BABIP, 6.28 ERA/3.99 FIP/4.50 xFIP
A 14th round pick from 2023, who missed all of 2024 to injury, Odle has flew way under the radar, but for his first real pro action (aside from 2 innings in 2023), this is a pretty promising season.
Tyler Van Dyke, 21 – RHP
Stats: 5 GS, 14 IP, 21.8 K%, 5.5 BB%, 43.6 GB%, .256 BABIP, 2.57 ERA/3.40 FIP/3.30 xFIP
The Cardinals 10th round pick from the 2025 draft had a very good pro debut season, admittedly not really being asked to throw more than a few innings per appearance. But still!
Nolan Sparks, 22 – RHP
Stats: 18 G (12 GS), 72.1 IP 24.1 K%, 14.2 BB%, 43.4 GB%, .291 BABIP, 4.85 ERA/4.54 FIP/4.37 xFIP
Sparks had better stats for most of the season. He missed about two weeks in the middle of July, then made two starts before his season ended. In those starts, he walked 9 batters in 6.1 IP and allowed 7 runs. And then his season was over on August 2nd. So maybe due to getting injured.
Yadiel Batista, 21 – LHP
Stats (CPX): 12 G (5 GS), 22.5 K%, 4.8 BB%, 35.5 GB%, .285 BABIP, 3.06 ERA/3.59 FIP/3.45 xFIP
Low A: 7 G, 27.2 IP, 16.4 K%, 10.9 BB%, 46.7 GB%, .348 BABIP, 6.18 ERA/4.70 FIP/4.79 xFIP
An amaetur free agent signed out of Cuba in 2023, Batista repeated Low A and managed to improve his BB rate. In fact, that seems to be a feature of him. He walked 1.3% of hitters in the DSL in 2023. His Low A performance was a bit of anomaly with the walk rate.
Alan Reyes, 21 – RHP
Stats (CPX): 14 G, 25.2 IP, 23.6 K%, 8.2 BB%, 40 GB%, .211 BABIP, 0.70 ERA/3.06 FIP/3.76 xFIP
Low A: 13 G, 21.2 IP, 28 K%, 7.5 BB%, 51.7 GB%, .368 BABIP, 2.49 ERA/3.45 FIP/3.03 xFIP
Signed out of Mexico, Reyes had the better ERA in the complex leagues, but arguably pitched better after he got promoted.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Complex League</h2>
Yairo Padilla, 18 – SS (#15 VEB prospect)
Stats: 38 G, 148 PAs, .283/.396/.367, 12.2 BB%, 14.2 K%, .083 ISO, .340 BABIP, 119 wRC+
Good contact skills, would love it if he had more power. He’s definitely getting overshadowed by what Raniel Rodriguez did despite rating as the better prospect before the season.
Keiverson Ramirez, 19 – RHP
Stats (CPX): 10 G (5 GS), 18 K%, 8.6 BB%, 50 GB%, .337 BABIP, 3.86 ERA/5.08 FIP/4.41 xFIP
Low A: 3 G (GS), 11.1 IP, 8.3 K%, 12.5 BB%, 50 GB%, 263 BABIP, 2.45 ERA/4.46 FIP/4.84 xFIP
I mostly share his stats because he got promoted to Low A with somewhat underwhelming stats at 19. The Cardinals pushing him is a good sign.
Bernard Mack, 19 – LHP
Stats (CPX): 12 G (7 GS), 28.8 K%, 20.6 BB%, 37.3 GB%, .313 BABIP, 5.70 ERA/4.28 FIP/4.48 xFIP
Low A: 4 G (2 GS), 27.9 K%, 23 BB%, 39.3 GB%, .259 BABIP, 2.63 ERA/5.52 FIP/5.57 xFIP
See I’m more excited by a guy like Mack than Ramirez. Mack can miss bats. Also the strike zone.
Ronny Oliver, 21 – RHP
Stats: 11 G (6 GS), 30.2 IP, 30.3 K%, 11.4 BB%, 46.9 GB%, .271 BABIP, 4.11 ERA/3.44 FIP/3.57 xFIP
Given his age, this is what you expect of him. He actually repeated this level and these are way better stats than last year. It’s his fifth season in the Cardinals’ system, so you know not really a prospect.
Bracewell Taveras, 19 – 2B
Stats: 54 G, 205 PAs, .254/.318/.316, 7.2 BB%, 23.6 K%, .062 ISO, .336 BABIP, 80 wRC+
Well, the good news is that Taveras showed an ability to walk this season. He didn’t walk at all in the DSL and if you’ve seen the average BB rate in that league, it means that he was a very free swinger. The bad news is the not being a good hitter part.
Heriberto Caraballo, 20 – C
Stats (CPX): 14 G, 50 PAs, .256/.420/.333, 16 BB%, 18 K%, .077 ISO, .333 BABIP, 124 wRC+
Low A: 20 G, 71 PAs, .148/.254/.197, 11.3 BB%, 26.8 K%, .049 ISO, .190 BABIP, 41 wRC+
The Cardinals must believe in his defense, because those 50 PAs in the complex league is the only time he has hit in his three seasons in the Cardinals’ organization.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dominican Summer League</h2>
Sebastian Dos Santos, 17 – SS
Stats: 38 G, 166 PAs, .313/.452/.570, 18.1 BB%, 17.5 K%, .258 ISO, .367 BABIP, 164 wRC+
I’ve shared DSL stats before, and let me tell you this year has by far the most amount of great performances by hitters. 8 hitters had at least 100 PAs with a 116 wRC+ or greater. That is not a typo. Dos Santos had the best hitting performance on the team, which is saying something.
Yeferson Portolatin, 17 – OF
Stats: 40 G, 174 PAs, .226/.483/.374, 29.3 BB%, 17.8 K%, .148 ISO, .289 BABIP, 150 wRC+
This is the most Padres name the Cardinals have ever had in their system. Portolatin has one of the more extreme walk rates I think I’ve seen. It came with a bit of pop and not striking out much. Really curious how much his plate discipline numbers transfer to the States.
Yaxson Lucena, 17 – OF
Stats: 42 G, 190 PAs, .299/.442/.469, 15.8 BB%, 10.5 K%, .170 ISO, .323 BABIP, 146 wRC+
Seriously, this team was ridiculous. How is this the third best hitting performance? Also another name I’d really love to see in the big leagues.
Kenly Hunter, 17 – OF
Stats: 37 G, 173 PAs, .314/.442/.400, 13.9 BB%, 11.6 K%, .086 ISO, .367 BABIP, 136 wRC+
It is worth pointing out that Hunter primarily played CF, which certainly makes him a little more interesting. Lucena was exclusively corner outfield and DH so I’m thinking his defense isn’t going to provide much.
Miguel Hernandez, 17 – SS
Stats: 36 G, 169 PAs, .281/.408/.444, 14.8 BB%, 20.7 K%, .163 ISO, .337 BABIP, 129 wRC+
Hernandez also stole 15 bases and got caught stealing 4 times as well. Would love to have another legit SS prospect in the system, a system that has been very light on SS prospects since Masyn Winn made the big leagues. 
Juan Pablo Rujano, 17 – C
Stats: 35 G, 148 PAs, .279/.405/.418, 12.8 BB%, 23 K%, .139 ISO, .365 BABIP, 126 wRC+
Don’t you kind of love it that the stats are getting gradually worse, but the defensive importance keeps rising. And what do we have here? Another catching prospect!
Royelny Strop, 17 – OF
Stats: 24 G, 110 PAs, .226/.345/.355, 12.7 BB%, 30.9 K%, .129 ISO, .345 BABIP, 94 wRC+
I’m mostly sharing his stats because he’s Pedro Strop’s son and also that he went 12-23 with 5 doubles, a triple, and a homer plus an additional three walks in his final five games of the season. He may very well have been one of the best hitters if the season were a month longer.
Cristofer Lebron, 2B/CF – 18
Stats: 47 G, 194 PAs, .277/.402/.428, 14.9 BB%, 20.1 K%, .151 ISO, .342 BABIP, 126 wRC+
He’s here for a couple reasons despite being 18. I wanted to share the potential difference between a 17-year-old playing in the DSL and an 18-year-old. Lebron had a 60 wRC+ last year at 17. The second reason was his name because just saying Lebron is in the DSL is funny. Third though, he played CF and 2B and no other positions, which I find pretty fun.
Juan Pablo Cabrera, C – 18
Stats: 27 G, 104 PAs, .247/.385/.400, 14.4 BB%, 16.3 K%, .153 ISO, .288 BABIP, 116 wRC+
He’s here because he’s another catcher. Yes, another catcher. He actually had a 99 wRC+ last season, but significantly improved his power.
Michael Cordero, 1B/3B – 16
Stats: 32 G, 128 PAs, .212/.359/.356, 16.4 BB%, 32 K%, .144 ISO, .317 BABIP, 100 wRC+
The stats themselves are not notable, but the fact that he didn’t turn 17-years-old until August 24th is very notable. He held his own while being essentially a sophomore competing against a bunch of juniors and seniors and some college guys.
Lucas Takahashi, OF – 16
Stats: 12 G, 48 PAs, .103/.438/.103, 35.4 BB%, 20.8 K%, .000 ISO, .150 BABIP, 102 wRC+
Is this not the craziest above average hitting line you’ve ever seen? Of course I have to share this and of course he has to be 16.
Gabriel Chinchilla, 18 – RHP
Stats: 12 G (10 GS), 48.1 IP, 23.1 K%, 9.7 BB%, 39.4 GB%, .385 BABIP, 4.84 ERA/3.60 FIP/4.07 xFIP
I mean I have to represent for the Gabes. There’s a dominant Gabe who just pitched in relief for the Mariners last night, but I don’t think I’ve watched a Gabe on the Cardinals. Change that Chinchilla.
Daniel Gomez, 17 – RHP
Stats: 12 G (6 GS), 44 IP, 22.1 K%, 6.7 BB%, 41.5 GB%, .366 BABIP, 5.11 ERA/4.22 FIP/3.81 xFIP
Yeah the pitching is a lot less interesting than the hitting for the DSL team.
Juan Garcia, 17 – RHP
Stats: 12 G (10 GS), 47.2 IP, 19.8 K%, 2.1 BB%, 41.1 GB%, .322 BABIP, 3.40 ERA/2.75 FIP/3.51 xFIP
Garcia by far led the team in BB%. He had an incredible amount of control which is fairly rare in a league where the Cardinals alone had three pitchers with more than a 25% BB rate.
Reiner Lopez, 19 – RHP
Stats: 13 G, 26 IP, 19.5 K%, 9.7 BB%, 50.8 GB%, .313 BABIP, 4.85 ERA/3.61 FIP/4.14 xFIP
He would not be here were it not the fact that he generated some publicity when he got signed and in fact almost made the VEB top 20 without having thrown a single inning. How he’s pitched since then is why you don’t rank a 17-year-old who hasn’t thrown a single inning in your top 20. (Bad last year, okay this year as an old guy)
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Guys I missed</h2>
Ramon Mendoza, 24 – 3B
Stats (AA): 105 G, 404 PAs, .275/.390/.452, 14.9 BB%, 19.8 K%, .177 ISO, .320 BABIP, 134 wRC+
Yeah I just missed this guy the first time around and he was mentioned in the comments by CardsRanger. I don’t know if I thought he was older than he was or felt like I was listing too many names, but yeah he deserves to be mentioned.
Cade Winquest, 25 – RHP
Stats (High A): 17 G (15 GS), 23.9 K%, 9.5 BB%, 55.6 GB%, .331 BABIP, 4.52 ERA/3.69 FIP/3.70 xFIP
AA: 8 GS, 42.1 IP, 23.9 K%, 6.8 BB%, 36.7 GB%, .333 BABIP, 3.19 ERA/3.38 FIP/3.59 xFIP
I’m sure I was tired of listing names (and also just tired) when I neglected to mention Winquest. And he’s easy to dismiss because he was 25. But I’m a little intrigued by his improvement at a harder level.
Brandt Thompson, 22 – RHP
Stats (Low A): 16 G, 79.2 IP, 19.8 K%, 5.2 BB%, 39.5 GB%, .246 BABIP, 3.84 ERA/5.03 FIP/3.67 xFIP
High A: 4 G, 15 IP, 39 K%, 6.8 BB%, 20 GB%, .310 BABIP, 4.20 ERA/2.41 FIP/2.72 xFIP
AA: 2 GS, 9 IP, 15.6 K%, 9.4 BB%, 37.5 GB%, .250 BABIP, 1.00 ERA/3.34 FIP/4.18 xFIP
This guy is a 17th rounder from the 2024 draft, who pitched in AA in his first professional season. He doesn’t even need to make the majors for this to be a home run from the scouting department.
I kind of forgot that part of the reason I didn’t do more in the last post was because there were so many High A pitchers, so this ended up being longer than I expected. But this concludes the minor league updates for the season.


]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>scooter</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays – An ALCS Game 1 thread for October 12, 2025]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-cardinals-game-threads/65142/seattle-mariners-at-toronto-blue-jays-an-alcs-game-1-thread-for-october-12-2025" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/?p=65142</id>
<updated>2025-10-12T12:49:54-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-12T19:07:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="St. Louis Cardinals Game Threads" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Probable Pitchers (postseason stats): Bryce Miller, RHP | #500-0 | 4018 ERA | 2 K Kevin Gausman, RHP | #341-0 | 1.59 ERA | 3 K]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
Probable Pitchers (postseason stats):
Bryce Miller, RHP | #50 0-0 | 4018 ERA | 2 K
Kevin Gausman, RHP | #34 1-0 | 1.59 ERA | 3 K
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Scott Plaza</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Is it time for the Cardinals sell out for power at the plate?]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-cardinals-sabermetrics-analysis/65077/is-it-time-for-the-cardinals-sell-out-for-power-at-the-plate" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/?p=65077</id>
<updated>2025-10-11T20:47:30-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-12T09:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="VEB Daily" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Those of us that can either stay up past 9pm or live on the West coast have been treated with some phenomenal postseason baseball. Unfortunately, I don’t fall in either of those categories so most of my playoff baseball experience has been through social media or conversation at work. What I didn’t need help to […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/10/gettyimages-2237226515.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
Those of us that can either stay up past 9pm or live on the West coast have been treated with some phenomenal postseason baseball. Unfortunately, I don’t fall in either of those categories so most of my playoff baseball experience has been through social media or conversation at work. What I didn’t need help to realize, though, is that the St. Louis Cardinals are yet again not playing in October. 
For the third straight season, the Cardinals have missed the postseason so I wanted to do a surface level scouring of some team stats since the beginning of the 2023 season to see if there were any glaring shortcomings compared to those that get to the playoffs. What I ended up coming across unintentionally was pretty interesting, and probably discussed by some before. But the Cardinals’ offense and pitching are almost built in the same way. More analysis incoming but basically, the St. Louis batters “hit for contact” and their hurlers “pitch to contact,” neither of which have been strategies to sustain success since the use of analytics around the league became more widespread.
Since the beginning of the 2023 season, the Cardinals rank 12th in baseball in hits and batting average, while sitting in the top half of the league in OBP (14th) while sitting top-1o in strikeout rate (9th). However, by measure of FanGraphs offensive value, the Cardinals hitters rank 18th in the league with a -30.3 value. So with those rate stats sitting above average, what gives?
We have known for a bit that the Cardinals lacked power, but the presence of Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and even Nolan Gorman covered up how bad it was. Since the start of 2023, the Cardinals rank 22nd in homers with 522 over three seasons. Of the 21 teams ahead of the Cardinals, only the Angels and Athletics have not been in the playoffs since 2023. Fine no homers, other extra-base hits? Not really. 785 doubles puts them in 16th, and their 42 triples is third-to-last in baseball. Have no fear, the single is here! The Cardinals rank 6th in all of baseball with 2,721 singles to help push up to the team’s .247 average over that span.
Besides the power, the team also sits 17th in walks but they are 9th in strikeouts. While singles are well and good, the lack of power to drive a runner in from first makes it more of a problem. Especially since the team also sits 24th in baseball in stolen bases, there is a lot of station to station baserunning going on. Maybe we can’t fault Pop Warner too much for some of his ridiculous sends?
However you want to look at it, the St. Louis offense has not been able to get it done, thanks to underperforming veterans or prospects who haven’t yet taken the next step. That has led to the team sitting 20th in runs scored and overall checking in at a 99 WRC+. Probably right where they belong as they have a 232-254 record over those three seasons. Their top three offensive contributors in that span based on that measure are Ivan Herrera (133), Contreras (129), and Brendan Donovan (117).
<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">So, my question: Even in a true rebuild year, should the Cardinals opt for power over anything else at the plate?</h4>
Of those three names above, Contreras paces the team with 55 homers since 2023. The actual team leader is Nolan Gorman, with 60, but he checks in along with the team at a 99 WRC+. From the current roster (scratching Arenado’s 54 homers, assuming he is traded), Alec Burleson is next with 47 homers, ahead of Lars Nootbaar’s 39. If you’re keeping track at home, Cal Raleigh matched Gorman’s three season total just this year, while Kyle Schwarber and Ohtani beat or tied Contreras’ three-season mark in 2025. Aaron Judge and Eugenio Suarez wrap up those with single-season home run totals that are better than Burleson’s three-year total.
The 2026 Cardinals lineup is going to look very similar to what we saw the majority of the year, again assuming Arenado is dealt. The answer to the power problem may not be on the current roster, so some further changes would have to take place if they really want to get some pop in the lineup. I mentioned it last week, but I am in favor of fielding offers on all four lefties, but putting priority on dealing Donovan and Nootbaar. Moving Donnie would open up more opportunity for Gorman outside of third base and also keep the lineup more or less in dexterity balance while providing more home run potential. This move also clears the path for JJ Wetherholt to take an everyday role, but I don’t see him being the answer to the power outage.
While Noot is on the team’s leaderboard in homers, trading him could move Burleson to the outfield full(er) time, as long as he defense remains playable. With Ivan Herrera looking to get back to catcher next season, Burly in the outfield also creates potential for the Cardinals to sign a full-time DH. St. Louis has never really committed to a prototypical DH since it’s universal implementation and this could be the year to find one. Burly profiles as designated hitter because of his defense, but in my theoretical of placing power first, his 20 homers can play better in left field than at DH.
I admit, I was hoping that Luken Baker would get a legitimate opportunity to operate as the power bat in the middle of the order, but he did not get much run before being DFA’d and scooped up by the Dodgers. There is not much else in terms of strict power but maybe Blaze Jordan or Jordan Walker could eventually get to that spot. I am typically against moving young guys away from playing defense, so if the team opts to find home runs, they may have to look outside of the organization.
I try not to go too much into theoretical trades so that took me more to the names that will grace the free agent market this offseason. As always with free agency, the team has to be willing to spend, but the player also has to want to go to that city, so it truly has to be a two-way street. So while names like Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber are fun to think about, there is no chance they would come to St. Louis. On the market, then, I found only a couple of even potentially realistic options, understanding that any major league signing would take away playing time from those already in the organization.
Of the players that would weigh a bounce back deal, Rhys Hoskins was one that I think would be fun to tap into. He has been solid with the Brewers but then was replaced by Andrew Vaughn after getting hurt. Hoskins has an $18 million mutual option that will definitely not be exercised, so he will head to the offseason looking for a new opportunity. The revenge season storyline would also draw some excitement if he were able to get back into the 30 homer, 30 double campaign he is capable of. Hoskins is not much of a defensive first baseman, so the full-time DH spot could be open for the 32-year-old.
The only other that I think there could be any possibility of mutual interest is Ryan O’Hearn, who put together a third consecutive above-average offensive season while playing with Baltimore and San Diego. O’Hearn played a solid outfield while filling in at first base and put up solid numbers on the defensive side of the ball. He will probably command more interest around the league and likely a multi-year deal, so he will likely be out of the Cardinals price range.
While my question remains, the possibility of seeing multiple 30-homer threats in the lineup may not be on the horizon for the 2025 season. In order to reach that milestone, players like Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, and Ivan Herrera have the potential, but need to stay healthy and consistent for a full season.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>ORSTLcardsfan</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[The St. Louis Cardinals most surprising pitcher in 2025]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-cardinals-sabermetrics-analysis/64842/the-st-louis-cardinals-most-surprising-pitcher-in-2025" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/?p=64842</id>
<updated>2025-10-10T01:27:11-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-11T09:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="St. Louis Cardinals Prospects & Minor Leagues" /><category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="VEB Daily" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[One of the projects I plan to tackle at the start of this off-season is to profile a player who was, in my opinion, the most pleasant surprise. I plan 3 articles, one each for the category of defense, offense and pitching. That’ll get me to the part of the off-season where there is some […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-28-185006.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
One of the projects I plan to tackle at the start of this off-season is to profile a player who was, in my opinion, the most pleasant surprise. I plan 3 articles, one each for the category of defense, offense and pitching. That’ll get me to the part of the off-season where there is some real news to digest. 
Who was the most surprising (in a good way) pitcher this year? Stephen Matz might get an honorable mention here. Some corners of Twitter-verse would likely stump for Mathew Liberatore and/or Kyle Leahy. I landed on Matt Svanson. One, because of the outstanding season he had in St. Louis, but also because what we got was so much more than we had reason to expect. Let’s dive in.
Svanson’s MiLB profile from his time in Memphis was … not inspiring. Here is his Statcast data from the first part of the season, spent in Memphis.
<img src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-28-185716.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.3921568627451,0,99.21568627451,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="In 2025, Svanson had 21 IP at Memphis | Data courtesy of Prospect Savant" data-portal-copyright="Data courtesy of Prospect Savant" />
Right away, what catches the eye is how much blue there is. This is not the profile of a minor league relief prospect that is destined for MLB success. I will dissect this in a minute, but I wanted to show you his MLB Statcast for the second half of 2025 (yes, this is the same pitcher).
<img src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-28-185857.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="In 2025, Svanson pitched 60.1 IP at the MLB level | Data courtesy of Statcast" data-portal-copyright="Data courtesy of Statcast" />

Immediately, what catches the eye is how much more red there is. Still some blue to be found, but considerably better, overall. What changed (for the better)? 
First, we need to remember that 21.2 IP at Memphis is a super small sample size, and the weather in spring in Memphis was very, very challenging. Cold and wet. The SSS and the weather could well be part of the explanation. 
Next, let’s find a couple of raw data points to compare. Svanson’s average exit velocity (88.9) was exactly the same at both levels. Somehow, that EV was 35th percentile at AAA (not great), but ended up as 59th percentile in MLB (decently above average). So, they hit the ball harder in AAA than they do at MLB? Hmmm…
Note his 22.4% K-rate at AAA improved to 28.7% at MLB. Likewise, his walk rate held mostly steady (9.2% at AAA, 8.7% at MLB). ProspectSavant doesn’t post his FB velo in AAA, but Statcast Minors shows it to have been 95.9 (sinker) and his average FB (sinker) at MLB was 96.8 mph, good for 86th percentile. So this guy is a high-octane reliever who gets K’s. This doesn’t jump out from his limited data at Memphis (and we don’t have Statcast data from his prior year at AA). His hard-hit percent dropped from 47.7% at AAA to 35% MLB. This is where SSS can get us … at 21.2 IP, he only had 68 balls in play. 32 of them would’ve qualified as hard hit. 24 hard hits would have given us the same 35% he experienced at the MLB level, so that is just 8 more hard hit balls in the sample. Hard to draw much from that.
Svanson produced .9 fWAR in half a season with the MLB club, or about .9 more than I expected from him. And that was more than 3 starters (Fedde, Mikolas, Pallante). 
Is this sustainable? Hard to say. Median K-BB% is around ~15, and preferably higher for a high-octane reliever. His qualifies at 20%, which is top 25% of all relievers with 60 IP or greater. His xFIP was 3.45 against an ERA of 1.98, so some regression is to be expected, at least in ERA. He seems to specialize in soft contact and carries a fairly high ground rate (56.6%) for a high K pitcher. His SIERA was 3.16. So it looks like he benefitted from some luck, particularly in a low HR rate.
Let’s peek at his pitch mix.
<img src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-28-192553.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
He is pretty much sinker-sweeper to right-handed batters and adds a cutter when facing lefties. He does not throw a 4-seamer hardly at all, which I found surprising for a guy that throws that hard. I wondered why. He only threw it 15 times all year, and 2 of those were homeruns. Small sample size, indeed, but one can see why he didn’t throw it anymore. His sinker is a little harder and has better movement, so I can see the choice. There isn’t enough data to say whether the 4-seamer would play well in the top of the zone.
His sinker and sweeper play well off each other from a spin point of view. They have pretty much the exact opposite spin, which would make it hard for a hitter to discern. Given the significant difference in velo and opposite break, hitters will have a hard time reading the pitch and adjusting. His cutter is kind of all over the boards in terms of spin and release point. I wonder if this was a new pitch for him this year. Absent Statcast data from his prior minor league experiences, I’m not sure how I’d tell.
One of the values Svanson brought this year was as a multi-inning, high K reliever. He accumulated almost a full season of traditional reliever IP (60.1) in just 39 appearances over half a season. As starter IP goes down, multi-inning relievers gain value in a bullpen.
Relievers are super volatile, and the sample sizes are still a bit small to realistically project. That said, he did very well this year. I would expect they are penciling him into the bullpen plan for 2026, but also keenly aware of the Ryan Fernandez lesson, which is that relievers are extraordinarily volatile. 

]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>SB Nation MLB News</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Viva El Birdos is looking for a new site manager]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/general/65088/viva-el-birdos-is-looking-for-a-new-site-manager" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/?p=65088</id>
<updated>2025-10-09T17:36:36-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-10T13:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="General" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you’re reading this, we’re assuming you love St. Louis Cardinals baseball as much as we do. Viva El Birdos is looking for a new site manager. If you already spend a good amount of your days bantering about the Cardinals and Major League Baseball, then this might be a perfect opportunity to take that […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/10/gettyimages-2221130670.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
If you’re reading this, we’re assuming you love St. Louis Cardinals baseball as much as we do.
Viva El Birdos is looking for a new site manager. If you already spend a good amount of your days bantering about the Cardinals and Major League Baseball, then this might be a perfect opportunity to take that passion to the next level — and get compensated for doing it.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What does it all entail?</h3>
This person will be responsible for delivering readers a variety of stories, from analysis, to rumor mill from a Cardinals fan’s perspective through strong writing and editing skills, in addition to leading a small team of dedicated contributors in doing the same.
This person is also savvy at determining the perfect story format and platforms to deliver those stories and keep readers coming back for more.
Finally, this is a fully remote, contract position compensated via a monthly stipend.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What qualifications are we looking for?</h3>
The ideal candidate will: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Have a passion for the Cardinals with a strong knowledge of Major League Baseball. </li>
<li>High-motor in the ideation, creation and execution of stories across various platforms. </li>
<li>Have experience writing clean, easy to edit copy.</li>
<li>Be comfortable with working remotely and holding themselves accountable for ensuring monthly content goals are met. </li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How do you apply?</h3>
To apply, email <a href="mailto:kris.willis@sbnation.com">kris.willis@sbnation.com</a> with the subject line of Viva El Birdos
Make sure to include:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>In 250 words or fewer, detail why you’re the best person for the role, along with submission of your resume in either a document, PDF or jpg. format.</li>
<li>Three (3) baseball-related writing samples (preferably discussing the Cardinals)</li>
<li>Links or screenshots to any previous social media experience. </li>
</ul>
Vox Media, SB Nation and Viva El Birdos are committed to delivering coverage of Cardinals from a diverse array of voices and perspectives. If your experience and background do not perfectly align with every single thing we’re mentioned above, but you believe you have the ability to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Curt Bishop</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Three bargain moves the Cardinals could make this offseason]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-cardinals-analysis-sabermetrics/65085/three-bargain-moves-the-cardinals-could-make-this-offseason" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/?p=65085</id>
<updated>2025-10-10T10:40:54-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-10T09:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="Cardinals Analysis" /><category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="Cardinals Rumors" /><category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="St. Louis Cardinals Free Agents" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The offseason is already underway for the Cardinals. They missed the playoffs again after going 78-84 during the regular season. I can’t really say I’m surprised this is how it turned out for them, and it’s hard to be super disappointed about it when the expectations were so low. Chaim Bloom is now in charge, […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/10/gettyimages-2236344598.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
The offseason is already underway for the Cardinals. They missed the playoffs again after going 78-84 during the regular season. I can’t really say I’m surprised this is how it turned out for them, and it’s hard to be super disappointed about it when the expectations were so low.
Chaim Bloom is now in charge, and he didn’t rule anything out when it came to what he might do with the Cardinals roster. Obviously, players are going to be traded and they won’t be trying to contend, but Bloom did not sound opposed to adding some pieces.
I will say that fans hoping for a Kyle Tucker signing should temper their expectations, but here are some bargain moves I’d like to see the Cardinals make this winter that could boost the roster but also allow them to stay true to their rebuild.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sign Walker Buehler</h2>
Walker Buehler is a guy that would fit in great with a pitching coach like Dave Duncan. The Cardinals used to be great and finding reclamation projects and turning them back into solid players. They would do this a lot with pitchers. Jeff Weaver is a perfect example.
Buehler fits the bill. He has had two bad regular seasons in a row. Last year, he salvaged it with a great postseason run and even closed out the World Series for the Dodgers. This year, he went 10-7 with a 4.93 ERA between the Red Sox and Phillies. Boston cut him loose, but he’s looked better with the Phillies.
He’s probably a guy that could be had on a relatively cheap one-year deal and could be given some sort of option. If Sonny Gray is going to be traded, then this would make sense
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bring back Andrew Kittredge</h2>
The Cardinals bullpen looked great this year, even after they traded Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz. But why not supplement that group with another solid veteran that has been here before? Kittredge is now with the Cubs, and he posted a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances with Chicago and the Orioles.
He’s still good for high-leverage spots and shouldn’t be too expensive. Bloom’s fingerprints were all over the trade the Cardinals made to acquire him from the Rays, so he has familiarity with the veteran right-hander. I’d be on board with a one-year deal to bring him back.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ryan Helsley reunion, anyone?</h2>
The Cardinals sent Helsley to the Mets at the deadline, and his season went south from there. He went 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA in 22 appearances with New York. This almost certainly means he won’t get the multi-year deal he was hoping for this offseason.
But we’ve all seen what he can do when he’s right. He’s only a year removed from being the NL Reliever of the Year and setting a franchise record with 49 saves. The 31-year-old right-hander and two-time All-Star’s value has certainly fallen since the trade to the Mets, which means he is likely to receive nothing more than a one-year, “prove-it” deal.
With the Cardinals unlikely to spend big, why not capitalize on the opportunity to bring him back? He never wanted to leave, and I think it’s clear that the trade affected him one way or another. He wasn’t himself with the Mets, but coming back to St. Louis for a year to rebuild his value might be good for him, and the Cardinals could have a guy at the back end of the bullpen who has done it before and can also show some of the young guys the way. 
A back-end duo of Helsley and O’Brien is exciting to think about, and it would give the Cardinals the flexibility to try Kyle Leahy as a starter.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Zachary Junda</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Hunt and Peck: Fall Ball Begins and the LDS Draw to a Close]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-cardinals-news-analysis-mlb/65068/hunt-and-peck-fall-ball-begins-and-the-lds-draw-to-a-close" />
<id>https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/?p=65068</id>
<updated>2025-10-10T08:01:40-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-10-10T08:01:40-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com" term="Hunt and Peck" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[While the MLB’s postseason is at the halfway mark, the Arizona desert the Arizona Fall League officially began on Monday and the Cardinals have eight prospects taking part in baseball’s “finishing school.” The Cards have five righty pitchers at the AFL: Chen-Wei Lin (No. 16 in the organization), Tyler Bradt, D.J. Carpenter, Randel Clemente, and […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.vivaelbirdos.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/176/2025/10/imagn-27257346.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
While the MLB’s postseason is at the halfway mark, the Arizona desert the Arizona Fall League officially began on Monday and the Cardinals have eight prospects taking part in baseball’s “finishing school.”
The Cards have five righty pitchers at the AFL: Chen-Wei Lin (No. 16 in the organization), Tyler Bradt, D.J. Carpenter, Randel Clemente, and Darlin Saladin; the other three prospects are outfielders Travis Honeymoon and Miguel Ugueto, and catcher Graysen Tarlow. That octet is grouped with prospects from the Blue Jays, Braves, Dodgers, and White Sox, and will compete for the Glendale Desert Dogs.
Lately the AFL has turned into a who’s who event for MiLB prospects. There were 10 top-100 prospects competing in 2022 and 2023, but last year was the high water-mark with 14 of the top-100. That said, the players representing the Cardinals is more of a “…who? WHO????” unless you’re a true MiLB sicko. 
At the time of this writing, Lin is the only prospect heading to Arizona that is on the Cards’ Top-30 list. The 6’7” righty began 2025 in Peoria, did a rehab assignment with Palm Beach in May, and landed in Springfield in late August. The control needs some work (39 walks n 50.1 IP), but he has a fastball sitting 95-97, an 82-84 MPH slider, and an upper 80s changeup.
Clemente also climbed the ladder in 2025, and it looks like he worked mainly in late game scenarios. Clemente was credited with four saves in seven opportunities as well as three holds in 53 innings. Like Win, Clemente has control issues—40 walks in 53 innings—but made up for it with 76 Ks. 
Elsewhere in MLB…
Detroit and Seattle will play a decisive Game 5 of its Divisional Series, with the winner advancing to take on Toronto in the ALCS. It looks like the Tigers are going back to the Tarik Skubal well to extend its season, while Seattle counters with George Kirby. 
On the NL side of things, the Dodgers are heading back to the NLCS after beating the Phillies 2-1 in 11 innings thanks to a walk-off throwing error by Orion Kerkering. It’s the type of error that only sickos and perverts would watch and enjoy…so let’s watch and enjoy it!
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">A WALK-OFF TO MOVE ON TO THE NLCS. <a href="https://t.co/JPveGti3Nu">pic.twitter.com/JPveGti3Nu</a>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1976463683569234371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
Los Angeles awaits the winner of Milwaukee-Chicago as that series has now gone the distance thanks to the Cubs 6-0 win last night in Wrigley. The Brewers and Cubs play the decisive Game 5 Saturday night and so far neither team has announced a starter. 
]]>
</content>
</entry>
</feed>

If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:

Download the "valid Atom 1.0" banner.
Upload the image to your own server. (This step is important. Please do not link directly to the image on this server.)
Add this HTML to your page (change the image src attribute if necessary):

<a href="http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//www.vivaelbirdos.com/rss/index.xml"><img src="valid-atom.png" alt="[Valid Atom 1.0]" title="Validate my Atom 1.0 feed" /></a>

If you would like to create a text link instead, here is the URL you can use:

http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//www.vivaelbirdos.com/rss/index.xml

Home · About · News · Docs · Terms