Cardinals Promote Max Rajcic for Major League Debut
The Cardinal Chronicle
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur
Cardinals Promote Max Rajcic for Major League Debut
The St. Louis Cardinals are turning to another arm from Memphis, and this one comes with some momentum.
Right-handed reliever Max Rajcic is being promoted from Triple-A Memphis and is expected to join the big league active roster ahead of Thursday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. The move sets up Rajcic for his major league debut and gives the Cardinals a fresh bullpen option after Chris Roycroft was optioned back to the minors.
Because Rajcic was not already on the 40-man roster, St. Louis will still need to make a corresponding 40-man roster move to officially select his contract.
For Rajcic, the call is not just a reward for one good week. It is the result of a strong body of work at Memphis, where he has steadily pushed his way into the organization’s bullpen conversation. The 24-year-old right-hander was recently named the Cardinals’ Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May after dominating in relief for the Redbirds.
During that May run, Rajcic posted a 1.20 ERA with two wins, three saves, a 0.80 WHIP and 19 strikeouts over 11 appearances. He allowed only eight hits during the month and ranked among the top Cardinals minor league pitchers in several key categories, including ERA, WHIP, saves and opponent OPS.
That kind of production made him hard to ignore.
Originally selected by the Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of UCLA, Rajcic has followed a different development path than some of the more heavily publicized arms in the system. He has worked as a starter in the past, but his current value to St. Louis comes in relief, where his ability to throw strikes, compete in the zone and handle multi-inning work gives the Cardinals another possible bullpen bridge.
That matters for a club trying to protect a contending roster while still evaluating internal pitching depth.
The Cardinals have already leaned heavily on Memphis this season, and Rajcic becomes the latest example of an organization using its upper-level depth to manage the long grind of a 162-game season. With Roycroft heading back down, Rajcic now gets his opportunity to prove that his Triple-A success can translate against major league hitters.
It also gives St. Louis another look at a pitcher who could factor into the bullpen picture beyond just one roster cycle. The Cardinals do not need Rajcic to be a finished product on day one. They need him to attack the strike zone, limit free passes and give the bullpen quality innings.
For Rajcic, that is the assignment.
For the Cardinals, it is another earned opportunity handed to a player who has forced his way into the conversation.
The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
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Photo Credit: Max Rajcic, St. Louis Cardinals | MiLB