The Cardinals leaves the door open for Thomas Saggese as their utility player

The Cardinals may be leaving the door open for Thomas Saggese as their utility player

Due to the current scarcity of shortstop options, Thomas Saggese may find himself making his way onto the Cardinals’ roster sooner than anticipated. Following the St. Louis Cardinals’ decision to sell at the Trade Deadline last year, they were able to acquire several promising prospects. Among these prospects, Thomas Saggese, the reigning Texas League Most Valuable Player, has garnered considerable attention from fans.

In 2023, Saggese displayed remarkable offensive prowess, achieving a .904 OPS during his age-21 season and concluding the year with the Memphis Redbirds. Recently, at Winter Warm-Up, Saggese stood out during media interactions as a high-character and diligent prospect who appears poised to have an early impact in St. Louis. While Saggese’s hitting ability generates excitement among the Cardinals and talent evaluators, his defensive flexibility could expedite his path to the major leagues

Saggese is most naturally suited to play second base, and if not for Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan holding those positions, Saggese might have been in contention for that spot this spring. Despite the Cardinals’ high regard for Saggese, it has been challenging to envision a current role for him due to the need for Gorman and Donovan to have consistent playing time.

Saggese deserves praise for having already showcased his versatility by playing at third base and shortstop in the minors. Some believe he could also make an impact at first base or in the corner outfield positions. Although it was anticipated that Saggese would be deployed across various positions this spring, manager Oli Marmol disclosed a significant detail to Brenden Schaeffer of KMOV, particularly noteworthy given the current shortage of shortstop options.

Oli Marmol just wrapped up with the media here on the Cardinals patio. Interesting nugget on Thomas Saggese.

Cardinals are secure in his defense at second base, but it sounds like Oli is looking forward to seeing him at other spots too this spring, like third — and shortstop. pic.twitter.com/TZioHTRgEE

— Brenden Schaeffer🎳 (@bschaeffer12) February 21, 2024

The focus at the camp has been on Tommy Edman’s recovery from wrist surgery he underwent during the offseason. It’s possible that Edman might have limited participation in most of Spring Training and could potentially not be ready for Opening Day. If this scenario unfolds, it would have implications beyond just the center field position.

Although Masyn Winn is expected to be the Cardinals’ shortstop for the 2024 season, Edman plays a critical role as the backup shortstop for providing rest days for Winn or in case of any injuries. If Edman is unavailable at the start of the season, there is no clear third option currently on the roster.

While players like Donovan could potentially fill in that role, the Cardinals likely prefer to utilize him at second base, third base, first base, or in the outfield. Saggese, though not traditionally a shortstop defensively, seems to be under consideration for the position by the Cardinals. There are indications that Saggese has been working extra with the renowned shortstop Ozzie Smith, suggesting the team’s interest in exploring his capabilities at the position.

Thomas Saggese getting in late work with Ozzie Smith: pic.twitter.com/u1RL8uuOT4

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) February 20, 2024

If this scenario unfolds, Saggese might expedite his progress compared to our initial expectations. Should his hitting perform well this spring and there is a genuine need for an additional shortstop option on the roster, Saggese could potentially join the team in their season opener against the Dodgers in Los Angeles as a backup shortstop and versatile utility player off the bench. Presently, the Cardinals’ bench comprises Alec Burleson, Dylan Carlson, Matt Carpenter, and Ivan Herrera, none of whom are able to cover the shortstop position. In the event Carlson moves to center field to fill in for Edman, Saggese could secure a spot on the bench at least at the start of the season.

With Nootbaar capable of shifting to center field as necessary and Burleson or Donovan able to cover the corner outfield positions, the Cardinals should be adequately covered in center field for the time being (unless Victor Scott II manages to outperform some competitors).

Beyond the concerns about Edman’s health, demonstrating his ability to handle shortstop effectively could prompt some intriguing roster decisions for St. Louis. Alec Burleson might face a diminished role this season, and with Matt Carpenter providing a left-handed bat off the bench, the Cardinals could make a case for including Saggese in the roster over Burleson due to his infield versatility, even with a healthy Edman.

As things stand, I lean towards Saggese starting the year in Triple-A, but I do believe this narrative is worth monitoring closely as it could intensify with strong showings from Saggese and/or potential delays in Edman’s recovery. Scott, mentioned earlier, may encounter obstacles in earning a roster spot given that the Cardinals have other players capable of playing center field, unlike the current shortage at shortstop.