With Adam Wainwright making his final spring training start before heading off to the World Baseball Classic, the St. Louis Cardinals have made preparations for other pitchers to get some action after the veteran right-hander’s outing is through.
Over the past year, the Cards have made a few interesting pitching additions.
None of them have been Earth-shattering moves, but they are intriguing nonetheless.
Last summer, the team selected left-hander Cooper Hjerpe out of Oregon State in the first round of the draft.
He primarily worked as a starter in college, but could see some relief action.
During the offseason, St. Louis claimed right-hander Wilking Rodriguez from the New York Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft.
Both pitchers are available to pitch Thursday.
#STLCards LHP Cooper Hjerpe, the team’s 1st-round draft pick from ‘22, is available to pitch in today’s game vs the Astros.
Jake Woodford will follow starter Adam Wainwright.
Wilking Rodriguez, the Rule 5 pick from the Yankees, will throw today. He features a 100 mph fastball. pic.twitter.com/y4JxywP7r9
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 2, 2023
Rodriguez made his MLB debut in 2014 with the Kansas City Royals.
He appeared in just two games and worked two innings without allowing an earned run.
The 33-year-old has not pitched at the Major League level since then.
However, Rodriguez possesses a fastball that can touch 100 mph, which is something that the Cardinals were very high on when they took him from the Yankees.
Hjerpe has been looked upon favorably so far.
Cardinals Scouting Director Randy Flores has been instrumental in finding and developing talented young players.
Hjerpe is at Cardinals camp for the first time and will have an opportunity to prove himself if the team decides to get him some action this afternoon.
With Wainwright and Miles Mikolas both pitching in the WBC, Hjerpe may find himself receiving more opportunities this spring.
NEXT: Cardinals Top Pitching Prospect Had A Solid Spring Debut