Jacob Odle Named The Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Week
Cardinal Chronicle
Jacob Odle Named The Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Week
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur
Jacob Odle continues to pitch like one of the fastest-rising arms in the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league system.
The Palm Beach right-hander earns The Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Week honors after another dominant stretch, working 13 innings while allowing only two earned runs and striking out 25 batters.
That is the number that jumps off the page.
Twenty-five strikeouts in 13 innings is not ordinary production. It is not just getting outs. It is overpowering hitters. Odle allowed nine hits, walked five, gave up no home runs, and finished the week with a 1.38 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
Blake Aita made this a real race. The Peoria right-hander was outstanding, posting a 0.60 ERA and 0.73 WHIP over 15 innings, allowing just one earned run with 13 strikeouts and only two walks. In most weeks, that line is good enough to win the honor.
But Odle’s strikeout dominance gave him the edge.
The award does not go only to the lowest ERA. It goes to the pitcher who made the biggest statement, and Odle’s week was loud. He missed bats at an elite rate, kept the ball in the park, and continued to build on what has become one of the better early-season pitching stories in the Cardinals’ system.
The 22-year-old right-hander has already worked his way into the conversation as one of the organization’s most underrated breakout arms. This week only strengthens that case.
Odle’s recent run has been especially important because it has not been built on smoke and mirrors. The strikeouts are real. The ability to limit damage has been real. And the consistency from start to start has made him a legitimate contender for broader monthly honors as well.
There were several strong pitching performances across the system. Jurrangelo Cijntje struck out 17 over 10 1/3 innings at Double-A Springfield. Brandt Thompson allowed only three hits over nine innings with 14 strikeouts. Pete Hansen and Brycen Mautz both gave Memphis steady work at Triple-A.
Still, Odle stood above the group.
When a pitcher strikes out nearly two batters per inning over a full week and allows only two earned runs, there is not much debate left.
The Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Week: Jacob Odle, Palm Beach Cardinals
Runner-up: Blake Aita, Peoria Chiefs
Old School Take
There is still no substitute for missing bats.
You can talk about spin, shape, sequencing and all the modern language you want, but the old truth remains: when hitters walk back to the dugout without putting the ball in play, the pitcher is in charge.
Jacob Odle was in charge this week.
The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports
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