Prospective Major League Baseball (MLB) standouts such as Andrew Painter, Bubba Chandler, and various others could potentially make their major-league debuts in 2025.
Cardinals Shake Up Infield Depth Chart, Wetherholt and Eldridge in Spotlight
With fewer than 45 days remaining in the Major League Baseball regular season, several teams are evaluating their rosters and considering promotions for young players. The St. Louis Cardinals are no exception, with a crowded depth chart and several promising prospects vying for playing time.
One such prospect is José Fermín, who was recently brought up to the majors to give Thomas Saggese more steady at-bats. Meanwhile, JJ Wetherholt, a 22-year-old shortstop/second baseman, remains a potential candidate for a promotion by the Cardinals. Wetherholt, who was ranked No. 1 by experts before a hamstring injury, has hit .310/.403/.670 with 9 home runs and 3 stolen bases in 26 games since being promoted to Triple-A. The Cardinals already know that Wetherholt does have a long-term home on their roster.
Another prospect who could see action in the remaining days is Bryce Eldridge, a 20-year-old first baseman. Eldridge has hit .236/.300/.497 with 12 home runs across 43 Triple-A games. While Eldridge's game features a fair amount of swing and miss, his average exit velocity is north of 94 mph, and nearly 60% of his balls in play have cleared the 95 mph threshold. However, Eldridge has not been impressive against left-handed pitching.
The San Francisco Giants could prioritize the future by giving Eldridge playing time currently earmarked for Dom Smith. Meanwhile, the Cardinals should sort through their other infielders to determine who is expendable and who has a long-term home on their roster. Among the players vying for playing time are Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, and Masyn Winn.
Two pitching prospects who could make their debuts in the coming days are Philadelphia Phillies' Andrew Painter and Pittsburgh Pirates' Bubba Chandler. Painter, a 22-year-old right-hander, has a broad and atypical arsenal that includes a mid-to-upper-90s fastball, a cutter/slider, a sweeper, a curveball, and a changeup. However, Painter's recent results in Triple-A have been mixed, with a 5.31 ERA and a 2.41 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17 starts. Chandler, on the other hand, has a 4.05 ERA and a 2.28 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 24 Triple-A starts.
Elsewhere in the league, the Baltimore Orioles have promoted catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo. Meanwhile, Zack Wheeler, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, is currently sidelined due to a blood clot.
Promoting players for the first time in the remaining days will retain their rookie eligibility into next year, which could net their team an extra draft pick if they go on to win the Rookie of the Year Award. As the race for the postseason heats up, teams will be making tough decisions about who to promote and who to keep on the bench. The Cardinals, in particular, will have a lot to consider as they evaluate their infield depth chart.
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