The St. Louis Cardinals’ pitching unit has surpassed early season projections, playing a significant role in the team’s position not being the worst in baseball.
The trio of newly acquired veteran starters has performed admirably, while the bullpen has showcased dominance. Nevertheless, with the recent injury setback to left-hander Steven Matz, the Cardinals are confronted with the potential need for additional pitching depth.
Following a disappointing 5-1 defeat to the White Sox on Sunday, during which the Cardinals relied entirely on their bullpen, the team is considering reaching out to the minors for assistance.
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chris Roycroft, whose background includes college basketball, is being considered for a call-up as the Cardinals reassess their bullpen options following Sunday’s bullpen-heavy game and ahead of the upcoming series against the New York Mets.
Roycroft, who boasts an upper-tier fastball, has showcased promising numbers in Triple-A Memphis this season, recording a 1.38 ERA with a 9-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .213 opponent batting average, and a 1.23 WHIP over 13 innings pitched across 11 appearances.
The 26-year-old began his journey in the Cardinals’ farm system in 2022 and swiftly progressed to Triple-A last summer. With his ability to deliver pitches in the upper 90 mph range, Roycroft could provide another valuable asset to the Cardinals’ bullpen, provided he can replicate his success at the minor league level in the majors.
Adding another hard-throwing arm to the mix could offer the Cardinals greater flexibility and, more urgently, provide relief to a bullpen that is currently taxed and in need of rest.
