The Cardinals are in agreement with right-hander Chris Beck on a minor league contract, tweets Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. He’ll presumably compete for a bullpen spot in Spring Training and serve as Triple-A depth if he doesn’t crack the roster.
Beck. 28, posted a 4.50 ERA in 34 innings between the White Sox and Mets in 2018, though his 21-to-20 K/BB ratio in that short time was obviously cause for some concern. Beck, a second-round draft pick of the ChiSox in 2012, has yet to find his footing at the big league level, as he’s struggled to a 5.88 ERA through 130 innings.
Beck did average better than 95 mph on his heater last season and has fared a bit better in the minor leagues, where he’s logged a 4.05 ERA, 7.3 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and 0.5 HR/9 in 188 2/3 innings across parts of five seasons.