The Cardinals announced they’ve selected outfielder Ben DeLuzio onto the big league roster and recalled reliever James Naile from Triple-A Memphis. They’ll take the two extra active roster spots available to teams in September. St. Louis already had an opening on the 40-man roster.
It’s the first big league call for DeLuzio, who has spent six years in the professional ranks. An undrafted free agent out of Florida State in 2016, the right-handed hitting outfielder first signed with the Diamondbacks. DeLuzio would spend the next five years in the organization, using his speed to post strong results on balls in play but never hitting for much power. The Florida native never hit more than four home runs in a minor league season, and his strikeout rate began to mount as he hit the Double-A level.
Arizona didn’t add DeLuzio to the 40-man roster, and he was made eligible in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft last offseason. The Cardinals selected him with the 17th pick and assigned him to Memphis. (Unlike those taken in the big league portion of the Rule 5 draft, minor league selections don’t have to be added to the MLB active roster). DeLuzio has responded with arguably the best season of his career, posting strong numbers in 94 games to earn his first MLB call.
Through 408 plate appearances, the 28-year-old has a .277/.353/.429 line. His nine home runs aren’t the mark of a power hitter, but it shatters his previous personal high. The athleticism upon which he’s long relied has remained intact, as he’s swiped 30 bases in 36 attempts while playing over 700 innings in center field. DeLuzio isn’t likely to get many starts with the Cardinals looking to wrap up the NL Central over the season’s final month, but he adds a speed and defense oriented player whom manager Oliver Marmol can creatively deploy late in games.
Robert Murray of FanSided first reported DeLuzio’s promotion this morning.
Free Alec Burleson!!
Laughing at you!
No. You don’t want to clog up that 40 man spot over the offseason for a few pinch hit opportunities. DeLuzio will be off the roster after the season. Cards, like all teams, have to save those 40 man spots to avoid losing Rule 5 picks and they don’t want to lose someone like Paniagua just to get Burleson 15 at bats. And Burleson is not accomplished in the field. DeLuzio is what the Cardinals need for the next month. Let the Free Burlison calls reign next year with Albert and Dickerson gone.
With Albert and Molina gone plus other expiring contracts, there will be plenty of 40 man spots open for rule 5 protection.
There are never enough 40 man spots to cover the guys you don’t want to lose. And the Cardinals put out more than their share of major leaguers for a team that traditionally drafts in the 20’s.
As much as I want to see what Burleson can do, you are 100% right. Dickerson and Pujols spots next year should be Burleson and Yepez.
Stl could’ve traded for Joc and booked a ring like ATL did last year. Looks like Farhan lives in Mo’s head and he rather play undrafted players. That’s why we have 3 chips since 2000 and Stl doesn’t.
2 rings in that time span is still better than almost every other team.
Besides, even without Bader, the Cardinals are having trouble finding playing time for all their good outfielders (O’Neill, Carlson, Nootbaar, super utility Donovan, and to the surprise of everyone Dickerson) to the point that Yepez had to be undeservedly demoted to AAA..
none of those guys are even as good as Heliot Ramos. Mo doesn’t know baseball like Farhan does, no need for cardinal cope
You mean the guy with a .368 OPS in 14 MLB PAs? That’s sarcasm, right? Everyone of them is much better than Ramos is right now!
While none of them are great players this year, they’re still all decent players at worst.
I’m going to assume the handle FahrahFan22 implies that you’re here to make outrageous statements and stir up negative reactions. So far you’re doing great.
Giants fans are pretty, pretty dumb.
I didn’t even know Ramos was still playing. Seems like it was about 8 years ago he was the guy the Giants would build around after winning the last chip.
Get used to to uninteresting September and October baseball. It will be awhile.
A Giants troll? I guess there are trolls for everyone. Anyone remember that insane guy who was obsessed with Desi Relaford about 10-15 years?ago? I’m sure the Cardinals board was not the?only one he visited. Desifan was the handle iirc
I get that Naile is just a placeholder until the day Flaherty will actually make his start, but why the heck did they pick DeLuzio over Yepez?!
They want Yepez to continue playing. And most importantly they can’t play Yepez and give Pujols a chance at 700. I personally don’t care about Pujols getting to 700, but they sure seem to and the media is all over it. And the CF defense has taken a hit playing O’Niell there since trading Bader, since Carlson has pooped the bed.
Actually Pujols looks much better at the plate than Yepez.
@themed as cards fan we often disagree with each other which is kool, but i agree with you 5 has found his hof magic this last month. imo i think we are seeing what we’re seeing out of 5 just like carp in the 11 nlds vs doc, both pitchers ended there career that night. with 5 he has made up his mind that this year is it and i’m going all out and leaving nothing left for tomorrow. least that’s what i think 5 is doing because right now he is playing like al of old that made him a hof.
Yepez hit one out last night
Pujols would continue to start and pinch-hit against lefties irregardless of Yepez, just as he has all season and continues to excel in that role.
Although, you have a point about the limited playing time Yepez would get, as they already have enough trouble getting playing time for everyone who deserves it. Yepez got the short straw, since Gorman and Donovan are lefties, while Gorman is an infielder and Donovan can play almost everywhere.
Defense and bae running
Bae running? Being a wingman? But yes–you don’t want to give a rookie manager opportunity to put Yepez in the outfield in a critical spot when the team emphasizes it’s defence.
I think he has to be down 10 days before they can call I’m back up
Oh yeah, that’s true as well. Unless there’s an injury, Yepez isn’t eligible to be recalled until the 6th. We’ll see if the Cardinals make the move then.
I hope Deluzio tears the cover off the ball. Have him in center, O”Neil in left, Carlson in right, and have Noot DH from time to time. Just throwing that scenario out there for debate.
Noot has to play everyday. Even if he has to cover center. He’s the best option as a leadoff hitter especially against righties.
Noots season stats won’t jump off the page at you but he has been a different guy the last 6 weeks or so. Looks like he knows he belongs and is taking the bull by the horns. The anti-Carlson approach. Of course, he is older than Carlson and we should expect Dylan to get it figured out. Would love to see either of them lay down a bunt for hit periodically. Or Edman, for that matter. Use your God given speed while you still have it.
Actually, Donovan is the better choice for a leadoff hitter, at least against righties. He has an even higher OBP than Nootbaar and unlike Nootbaar has very little power. Nootbaar makes for a much better #2 hitter, and I have no idea why Marmol has them flipped around.
Because Donovan is terrible in all aspects (SSS obviously) of leading off. Hitting 1st, leading off the game, leading off an inning – look at all of them. He struggles in every one. He’s been much better hitting 2nd
First, those are very small sample sizes.
Second, MLB hitters don’t have better or worse hitting skills based on where they hit in the lineup.
Can’t take Noot out right now. Not for Dylan.
Dylan Carlson hasn’t played much recently. I think they’re trying to send a message to step up. Tyler can man CF at replacement level defensively.
That’s for the better. Dylan Carlson sucks. He’s actually merely average, but because of the hype and man crush on him from Mozalak, he gets elevated to sucks status. I see him being Stephan Piscotty and nothing more.
The Cardinals have historically promoted defensive replacement/pinch running types when making a playoff push. Miguel Mejia, Kerry Robinson, So Taguchi, Magneuris Sierra, and Randy Arozarena all made their first appearances in late season or post season rosters.
Adron Chambers in 2011.
Nice
Yep, Osborne–you are correct there.
That was back when you could promote anyone on your 40-man roster in September, though. They may think differently with the much more limited September roster spots available now.
Great for DeLuzio, but honestly the Cardinals would be better served by a third catcher.
They already have two catchers who aren’t hitting much, and they don’t have anyone in AAA who would change that, so why bother?
Besides, Herrera is better off with regular playing time right now.
Ben DeLuzio plays CF, can steal bases and is hitting OK in AAA. I think it’s a good call up .
And it should let them promote Mike Antico to AAA and see if he can replicate those numbers for the future while being about 5 years younger.