JUPITER, Fla. – Spring training is a time when baseball’s top prospects make their push for a big-league roster, or at the very least, aim to build a case where they could be promoted later in the year.

Eight Cardinals made their big-league debuts last season, on par with such totals from recent seasons. Jordan Walker, who ranked among MLB’s best prospects last year, broke camp with the St. Louis Opening Day roster. Masyn Winn, his close comrade, earned his call-up last August.

Walker and Winn now profile as the Cardinals’ likely starters at right field and shortstop, presumably for many years to come. Their paths to Major League Baseball are unquestionably different from the prospects behind them, but perhaps serve as a model for how the next wave of youngsters reach the top level.

Minor League Camp began for the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this week, and coincidentally, MLB Pipeline just released a new list ranking the team’s top 30 prospects heading into the 2024 season. The Cardinals’ Opening Day matchup in Los Angeles is also three weeks away.

Sooner than later, the team will leave Florida and need to make key decisions for the development prospects this year. In short, who starts where? And when might we see them in St. Louis?

Who could make their MLB debuts with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024? FOX 2 breaks down 10 players with 2024 ETAs (estimated time arrivals) from MLB Pipeline’s rankings and where they stand this spring.

Victor Scott II (OF)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 4
On 40-man roster? No

Victor Scott II made a statement last year among the minor league’s top performers in hits (166) and stolen bases (94). He’s working to regain momentum on both fronts this spring. Scott is currently 3-for-16 (.188 average) and 2-for-2 in stolen base attempts.

Inspired by former Cardinals speedster Vince Coleman, Scott has also showed the ability to drop bunts for infield hits, force pitchers into pickoff attempts, and patrol centerfield for multiple games at a time early this spring. Jordan Walker touted him as the “Mookie Betts of the Cardinals” several weeks ago. The Cardinals coaching staff says he’s also a quick learner.

“He’s studious,” said Cardinals manager Oli Marmol. “Being around him, it’s interesting how he goes about his process. He’s constantly learning, taking notes, and asking questions.

“He has an idea of what he’s trying to do out there. There’s room to becoming an even better baserunner outside of just speed [on the basepaths], then that combination would be pretty unstoppable.”

Tekoah Roby (RHP)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 3
On 40-man roster? No

One of two big prospects acquired in the Jordan Mongtomery trade last year, Tekoah Roby has been easing into action after a shoulder injury last year and has yet to pitch in a spring game. Scouts like his ability to mix a fastball in with breaking pitches, and he averaged 14 strikeouts per nine innings in limited action with the Springfield Cardinals last season.

Roby impressed in a live bullpen session against Luken Baker, Brandon Crawford and several others and could see another bullpen session in the next few days. “That was really good, came out of that well,” said Marmol. The Cardinals have not yet determined when Roby might see some spring game action.

Tink Hence (RHP)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 2
On 40-man roster? No

Following a somewhat inconsistent 2023 campaign, which he finished at Double-A Springield, Tink Hence seems in control this spring. He only needed 12 pitches to complete two scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals on Monday, striking out two hitters as well.

The Cardinals assigned Hence to minor-league camp in their first round of cuts Tuesday. He wasn’t widely expected to make the Opening Day roster, but will now have more one-on-one instruction with hopes to reduce walk rates (34 over 96 IP last year) and hard-hit contact.

“Sometimes, I feel like I put a little more pressure on myself than I should’ve,” said Hence on last season during Winter Warm-Up. “It’s just the game of baseball, so go out, having fun and competing is what I’m looking forward to doing this time.”

Thomas Saggese (2B/SS)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 5
On 40-man roster? No

The other big piece in the Montgomery deal, Thomas Saggese cruised to Texas League MVP honors last season behind a .318 batting average, 25 HR and 107 RBI at the Double-A level. He hasn’t been able to rekindle that success in spring game action just yet (2-for-13), but many have noticed his ability to put the ball into play and work deep into counts.

Saggese has a bit of a logjam at the MLB level with the likes of Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman and Brandon Crawford, among others, capable of handling middle infield spots. The Cardinals are giving him work at every infield position but first base this spring with hopes he adds versatility to his offensive skillset.

“I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Texas [after the trade to the Cardinals]. Nothing but respect for them, but it’s definitely a chip on my shoulder to go out and prove I’m going to be a capable player in the big leagues. I think it motivates me,” said Saggese during Winter Warm-Up.

Michael McGreevy (RHP)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 15
On 40-man roster? No

The Cardinals’ first-round draft pick in 2021, Michael McGreevy made strides with 13 wins in 27 starts over 153 innings last year, mostly with Triple-A Memphis. To this point, he’s never worked in relief in minor-league action. It remains to be seen whether that will be the case with the Cardinals adding several veterans (Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson) for the rotation and young arms like Zack Thompson and Matthew Liberatore also pushing for MLB roles.

For now, McGreevy hopes to learn from as many pitchers in the Cardinals organization as possible.

“Sonny, Gibby, Lance have been in the league for so long, and they’ve had success in most of their years,” said McGreevy in a one-on-one interview with FOX 2 (video attached above). “To try to emulate that as young pitchers is something I think the Cardinals organization as a whole will benefit from.

“We’ve talked in the team meeting about having structure. I think this pitching staff has good structure throughout the organization. Hopefully the pitching staff for years to come will emulate.”

McGreevy had a tough spring game debut, but bounced back with two scoreless innings last Thursday against the Nationals. He says a personal goal is to stay healthy for every possible start this season and pitch more innings than last year.

FOX 2 asked McGreevy how much he’s thought about the push to the big leagues, to which he provided this candid answer.

“Totally. Any minor leaguer is going to lie to you and say, ‘Oh, I don’t think about it too much.’ Everybody thinks about it. It’s been our goal since we could remember. … Really, [it’s about] just making sure you’re sticking with the process, trusting that the organization has a plan, and when your time comes, you’ll be ready.”

Gordon Graceffo (RHP)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 10
On 40-man roster? No

On a similar path to McGreevy, Gordon Graceffo is yet another arm who has spent most of his minor-league years as a starter with loaded competition standing in his way to the big leagues. Graceffo is working to find a balance after two notable trends last year: Lowered home run allowed rates, but an alarming rise in walk rates.

Graceffo has cruised through spring competition so far, limiting opponents to just one hit and two walks over four scoreless innings.

Sem Robberse (RHP)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 13
On 40-man roster? Yes

Joining the Cardinals organization after the Jordan Hicks trade last year, Sem Robberse is one of few pro baseball players who hails from the Netherlands. Robberse takes pride in his wide arsenal of pitches, and his curveball and cutter have drawn strong reviews.

Robberse enjoyed a strong spring debut with two scoreless innings against the Miami Marlins in a February contest. His latest outing proved more challenging, allowing two earned runs to the Houston Astros over two innings. His command in his bullpen sessions has been encouraging, and he can pitch several innings at a time. Whether in a starter or in a relief role remains to be determined.

Adam Kloffenstein (RHP)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 17
On 40-man roster? Yes

The other piece of the Hicks trade, Kloffenstein proved durable and showed strong strikeout stuff at the minor league level last year. His pitch arsenal isn’t as deep as Robberse, but Kloffenstein relies on his two-seam and four-seam fastballs for success.

Kloffenstein threw two scoreless innings in his latest outing last Thursday, bouncing back from a tough debut in which he allowed two earned runs over two frames. He and Robberse seem on similar trajectories toward the big leagues, and their first calls could depend on how their strengths may match up against opponent weaknesses. Kloffenstein has joined Robberse for several workouts and bullpen sessions, most recently Tuesday.

Ryan Fernandez (RHP)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 25
On 40-man roster? Yes

The Cardinals acquired Ryan Fernandez from the Red Sox with their Rule 5 pick last December. This basically means, due to his service time in the minors, the Cardinals will have to find a path for him to join the big league roster out of spring training or risk losing him, either by offering him back to Boston or placing him on waivers.

To this point, Fernandez has made a good impression. He’s allowed one earned run on three hits in four spring relied appearances, also striking out five. He’s also reached the mid-90s on his fastball this spring, a trait that always helps to have in the bullpen. Fernandez seems the most likely of this bunch to make the team out of spring, especially with more bullpen roles up in the air than rotation spots.

Pedro Pagés (C)

MLB Pipeline Cardinals Rank: No. 16
On 40-man roster? Yes

With the Cardinals promoting Iván Herrera as the backup catcher, Pedro Pagés becomes the team’s most experienced backstop in the minor leagues and one several of the pitching prospects have worked with closely. He is almost certainly the internal candidate for the call-up if Herrera or Willson Contreras needs more time for rest or to recover from an injury.

Pagés is 3-for-12 over the first two weeks of spring action and has caught two of four runners who have attempted steals against him to this point. His timetable is mostly dependent on the needs of Contreras and Herrera.