The St. Louis Cardinals just made a forward looking roster move that gives fans a clear glimpse of the youth movement taking shape. With the Rule Five Draft quickly approaching, the front office locked in four promising young talents to the forty man roster while making a tough call on a veteran arm.
According to John Denton of MLB dot com, the Cardinals officially placed catcher Leonardo Bernal, outfielder Joshua Baez, and left handed pitchers Cooper Hjerpe and Brycen Mautz on the forty man roster.
This decision keeps all four from being scooped up by another club in the Rule Five Draft and signals how highly the organization values their potential. All four have been on the radar for a while, and their protection speaks volumes about how the Cardinals see the future shaping up.
Bernal brings athleticism and defensive promise behind the plate, while Baez offers raw power and exciting upside in the outfield. Hjerpe, a former first round pick known for his deceptive delivery, and Mautz, who made notable strides this past season, round out a group that gives fans plenty to dream about.
These moves show that the Cardinals are serious about building a strong foundation of young talent that can help the team return to contention sooner rather than later.
To create space, the club designated reliever Jorge Alcala for assignment. It is always tough to see a veteran lose his spot, but the Cardinals clearly believe their next wave of talent is ready to take a big step forward.
For fans hoping to see new energy and long term stability, this roster update is an encouraging sign. The youth movement in St. Louis is officially gaining steam, and the future suddenly feels a lot more exciting.