While I have enjoyed watching the Cardinals, I really do miss watching the minor league games in person. Ever since we attended our first game in 2007, my family has made it a summer tradition to hit up multiple Cardinals minor league teams. I hope they will return to playing in 2021. It may look a little different if the MLB teams gain more control, but anything is better than nothing.
A recent trade with TCDB member 5marchx reminded me how much I miss the minor leagues. He sent a huge stack of Memphis Redbirds cards ranging from 2002-2019 from various prospect and all star sets. I have seen these for sale at the stadium gift shops, but never wanted to buy the set just for a handful of cards I wanted. It was fun looking back at all the players and seeing who made it to St. Louis.
Both of these pitchers had a short time in St. Louis. The Cardinals farm system in the early 2000s did not really produce any big stars or even marginal players.
Fast forward to 2007 and we find a player in Brendan Ryan who had a decent career as an all glove, no hit shortstop. Once again both of the pitchers had very short careers in the Majors.
2008 finally brought some players who had an impact for the Cardinals. Rasmus was the reason we attended our first minor league game at Springfield in 2007. He was a very hyped prospect at the time who was suppose to be an all star for many years. It did not pan out that way, but his trade in 2011 brought over some much needed bullpen help that contributed to the World Series team. Boggs was also a member of that bullpen. Perez had a few good years as the Indians closer before having drug problems.
I have told the story before, but Anderson was my first ever in person autograph at that 2007 Springfield game. He never got much of a chance in St. Louis with Molina catching. He bounced around the minors for a few years without ever making an impact. Todd was actually traded with Chris Perez to Cleveland for Mark DeRosa.
Neither of the 2 all-star players had much of a career, but the bottom top prosects were productive players. Lynn and Descalso both contributed to multiple playoff teams. Lynn has found new life in Texas and is being talked about as a Cy Young candidate this year.
Lynn was not in Memphis long in 2011 before helping out in the bullpen during the playoffs. Chambers also was called up for the last half of the year. He served mostly as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in the outfield. He lasted part of 3 seasons before bouncing around the minors the rest of his career.
I do like the coaches being included in the all star sets. It is nice to give them some recognition for their hard work. Dickson was a repeat all star in 2012. Barring injury, it is usually not good for a pitcher to spend 3 years in Triple A. That was the case for Dickson as he only appeared in 8 MLB games before heading oversees to play.
We watched Wacha pitch a game for Memphis in 2013 before he was called up. You could tell then he some talent. I am guessing he has never fully recovered from a shoulder injury in 2018. Still hurts to see cards of Taveras. Would have been special to watch him in an outfield with Dylan Carlson.
These 3 were tabbed as the outfield of the future for the Cardinals. 6 years later none of them are in St. Louis.
Tui has stuck around as a reliever for the Cardinals and Mariners. He has not been able to stay healthy the since he was traded. Cooney started 6 games in 2015 due to half the Cardinals starting rotation being injured. He then got injured himself and has not pitched in the majors since.
Current Cardinals manager Mike Shildt managed 3 different minor league teams before heading to St. Louis. I remember watching Wilson and Tilson play a lot of games for Peoria in 2013. I always thought Wilson would make it, but he seemed to be a AAAA player. Very nice guy who always had time to sign an autograph for my kids. Tilson was traded to the White Sox and tore his hamstring in his debut. Speed was a big part of his game that has not returned since the injury. I believe he was playing in the minors before this year.
Finally we have a player still with the Cardinals, although Bader has seen his playing time go down since Carlson was promoted. Weaver and Kelly were both part of the Goldschmidt trade with Arizona. Kelly was another guy who was a friendly as the come. My son still has an autographed bat of his that he received at spring training in 2016.
As we get closer to present day, you see more current players. Here are 3/5 of the Cardinals starting rotation right now and the starting left fielder in O'Neill. Wisdom just signed this week with the Cubs. He is hands down the nicest ball player you will ever meet.
Rounding out the minor league portion of the trade are a few cards from last year featuring 2 of the Cardinals Covid sqaud and 2 guys that benefited from it. Ravelo and Thomas are both in Springfield at the training site. Knizner played a few game while Yadi was out, but now will most likely sit for a long time. Woodford had done well so far, but I am not sure he will have a spot once all the relievers come back.
The last 3 cards were from this year's 2020 Finest Flashback set. Great looking cards that take me back to my high school days. Hard to believe it has been almost 30 years since the original 1993 Finest set was released.
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