After Class AAA Memphis wrapped up its Sunday series finale at AutoZone Park against Omaha, Cardinals prospect Thomas Saggese had a “kind of suspicious†feeling after getting off the phone with Memphis athletic trainer Dan Martin.
Martin had asked Saggese if the 22-year-old infielder had his passport. A few minutes later, Saggese learned the reason behind Martin’s question once Memphis manager Ben Johnson called Saggese to let him know he’d heading to the major leagues for the first time in his career.
“Excitement. Nerves. My heart was beating real fast but really excited,†Saggese said on Tuesday. “Unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced, that’s for sure.â€
Saggese, an infield prospect the Cardinals acquired from the Texas Rangers in the Jordan Montgomery deal ahead of last July’s trade deadline, had his contract selected on Tuesday ahead of the Cardinals’ three-game series at Busch Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds and ahead of the Cardinals’ weekend road trip to Toronto.
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Rookie outfielder Victor Scott II was optioned to Memphis in a corresponding move.
Saggese arrives to the majors after spending his minor league season with Memphis, where he batted .253 with 20 home runs and a .751 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 125 games. He started a career-high 69 games at shortstop for the Redbirds. Forty-two of his starts have come at second base, while 13 have come at third base.
Now in the majors, Saggese gives the Cardinals an additional infielder to use while starters Masyn Winn, Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan rest. Saggese could also be used at second base if Donovan is used in left field.
The 22-year-old, who had about nine family members and friends on hand Tuesday for his MLB debut, started at shortstop and batted seventh for the Cardinals.
“I like it better that way than sitting and kind of waiting,†Saggese said of his first big league start. “I think it’s good just to get thrown right into the fire and see what happens.â€
Saggese said the call to his dad, Tom, was the first he made after Johnson’s phone call.
“It was pretty cool,†the 22-year-old said. “My dad is very low-key. I feel like I’m pretty low-key as well. It wasn’t like crazy yelling, but it was like, ‘Oh, wow. Congratulations.’ ... It’s obviously something I’ve been thinking about literally as long as I can remember. You see other people get called up, but for it to happen to me is just very surreal.â€
Following the deal that sent Saggese, along with left-handed reliever John King and right-handed pitching prospect Tekoah Roby, from the Rangers to the Cardinals, Saggese ended his 2023 minor league season with a .306 batting average and career highs in home runs (26), RBIs (111), doubles, (34), and hits (170). Saggese’s 170 hits led all of minor league baseball. Saggese’s strong year earned him Texas League MVP honors and made a case for him to earn a non-roster invite to Cardinals spring training.
The right-handed hitter who eschews batting gloves batted .300 with a .784 OPS in 23 Grapefruit League games during his first big league spring training. He remained in spring camp through the Cardinals’ last spring training game before being reassigned to the minors and opening the year as Memphis’ starting shortstop.
“I really liked watching him play, man,†manager Oliver Marmol said of Saggese’s spring impressions. “Just a gritty player. A baseball player. He doesn’t scare. Just the way he goes about his game was fun to watch. Line-drive hitter. Sprays the ball all over the field. Has enough pop to hit a homer every now and then. I enjoyed his game, and it would be good to watch it at this level.â€
While with Memphis this year — his first full year in Class AAA after a 13-game stint there last year following a September promotion — Saggese batted .223 with eight home runs and a .656 OPS in his first 70 games. He flipped the tone of his season by batting .349 with a .990 OPS to earn him Cardinals minor league player of the month honors for July. Since his breakout month, Saggese has batted .291 with 12 home runs, a .351 on-base percentage and a .524 slugging percentage in 55 games.
“Just getting back into seeing pitching,†Saggese said of his rebound. “Getting back to kind of what I do best, and getting back to feeling good and just trying different stuff. A couple of things just worked well. Nothing crazy. Just seeing the ball better. That’s just kind of how this game works.â€
Scott returns to Memphis
Rookie outfielder Scott II is expected to receive regular playing time upon his return to the minors.
Scott, the Cardinals’ opening day center fielder, started in 24 of the Cardinals’ previous 31 games upon his return from the minors on Aug. 4. He hit .231 in that span.
But with Michael Siani’s return from the injured list on Sept. 1, Scott was used as a backup outfielder and was brought into games as a defensive replacement. During that time, Scott had been working with Cardinals assistant coach Willie McGee on defense and received instruction that could help him utilize his speed on the bases and in the field.
“He just wasn’t going to get the amount of reps in a game setting here that could serve him well,†Marmol said of Scott. “He got some good work in over the last week. It was purposeful, but this move allows him to go play every day down there.â€
Extra bases
Roby, who was acquired from the Rangers alongside Saggese last year, was activated from the minor league injured list and added to the roster at Class AA Springfield (Missouri). Roby has been on the IL since May 25 because of a shoulder injury. The 22-year-old righty rejoins Springfield’s active roster a week ahead of its first game of the Texas League postseason.
- Cardinals top draft pick JJ Wetherholt homered in his first at-bat for Class Low-A Palm Beach in Game 1 of the Florida State League Division Series against Daytona.
- Cardinals Hall of Famer Chris Carpenter threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday’s game.