The St. Louis Cardinals have added another arm to their organizational depth, announcing the signing of right-handed pitcher to league contract. The 29-year-old has been assigned to Triple-A Memphis after an impressive stint with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association.
In a statement, the Cardinals confirmed the move, noting that top veteran earned the opportunity after posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and five saves in 13 appearances this season. His strong performance also earned him selection as an American Association West Division All-Star.
The addition comes as St. Louis continues to reinforce its pitching depth. After recently promoting Luis Gastelum, the Cardinals have now taken another low-risk chance on a pitcher with intriguing upside. President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom is already familiar with Feltman, as the two overlapped during Bloom’s tenure with the Boston Red Sox organization.
Feltman entered professional baseball with significant expectations after Boston selected him in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of TCU. During his final collegiate season, he dominated hitters with a remarkable 0.74 ERA in 18 appearances, establishing himself as one of the top relief prospects in the draft class. Many evaluators believed his polished arsenal could allow him to reach the major leagues quickly.
He backed up that reputation in his first professional season, posting a 1.93 ERA across 22 appearances while advancing through Low-A, Single-A, and High-A. However, his development hit a speed bump in 2019 when he struggled to a 5.26 ERA over 43 games at Double-A.
Like many prospects, Feltman’s progress was interrupted by the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He rebounded well in 2021, compiling a 2.96 ERA in 39 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A, but he was never able to earn his long-awaited major league debut.
Feltman remained in affiliated baseball with both the Red Sox and Athletics organizations during the 2022 and 2023 seasons before moving to independent baseball, where he has revived his career. His dominant showing with the Monarchs has now earned him another opportunity in affiliated baseball, placing him just one step away from the majors.
For the Cardinals, the signing represents a smart, low-cost investment. Minor league contracts carry little financial risk while providing valuable organizational depth, particularly for a club that has recently taxed its pitching staff with a demanding schedule that included a doubleheader. If Feltman continues to pitch effectively at Triple-A Memphis, he could eventually position himself for his first major league opportunity. Even if he simply strengthens the Cardinals’ depth, the move is one that carries very little downside and plenty of potential upside.