ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to promote one of their top hitting prospects, infielder Thomas Saggese, as the 2024 regular season enters its final weeks.
The Cardinals have not yet formally announced the move, but they are expected to promote Saggese ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, according to a report from MLB Insider Robert Murray.
Saggese was one of three players acquired in a deal that sent Jordan Montgomery to the Texas Rangers last year. His primary positions are shortstop and second base.
Up to this point, Saggese had spent the entire 2024 season with Triple-A Memphis. He is hitting .253 with 20 HR and 67 RBI for the season, but has built strong momentum in the second half to the tune of a .276 batting average and .831 on-base plus slugging percentage rating.
Saggese has flown a bit under the radar this season after impressive hitting surges last year and in the 2024 spring training campaign. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the fourth-best prospect and second-best hitter in the Cardinals’ farm system.
The anticipated move gives the Cardinals a right-handed bat to help a lefty-heavy group of hitters and more versatility in the middle infield. It’s unclear how many starts Saggese will get down the stretch, though an apparent foot injury to Brendan Donovan could open up opportunities for ample playing time.
The Cardinals enter Tuesday with a record of 72-71 and will need a strong stretch of baseball unprecedented to this point of the season for any chance at postseason. They are 6.5 games out of a National League Wild Card Spot and 10 back of the NL Central division lead with 19 games remaining.
