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Eras Are Not Defined by Their BeginningsA Look at the First Four Seasons of Cardinal ManagersIn St. Louis, a manager doesn’t simply take over a ballclub — he steps into a tradition. Generations of fans have watched men like Billy Southworth, Whitey Herzog, and Tony La Russa guide this franchise through seasons of triumph and transition. Now, as Oliver Marmol completes his first four years in the Cardinal dugout, it feels like a fitting moment to pause and look back. Not to rush judgment, and not to draw sweeping conclusions — but to let the numbers offer perspective on how managerial eras have begun in St. Louis.When you talk about Cardinal managers, you’re not talking about placeholders. You’re talking about eras. Each man inherits something different — a roster in transition, a veteran core, a rebuilding project, or a club on the brink. And eventually, every era is measured the same way.Wins and losses.So let’s step back and look at the first four seasons under Billy Southworth, Whitey Herzog, Tony La Russa, and Oliver Marmol.Billy Southworth, Hall of Famer,&nbsp; (1940–1943)&nbsp; 84–69 97–56 106–48 105–49 Four-year total: 392–222 - (.638)That stretch wasn’t just successful — it was historic. Three pennants. One World Championship. A .638 winning percentage that still sets a benchmark for managerial excellence.Whitey Herzog, Hall of Famer,&nbsp; (1980–1983) 74–88 59–43 (strike season) 92–70 (World Champions) 79–83 Four-year total: 304–284 - (.517)Whitey’s beginning was uneven. But by Year Three, the reshaped roster and Whiteyball identity delivered a championship. The climb was intentional, even if it wasn’t immediate.Tony La Russa, Hall of Famer, (1996–1999) 88–74 73–89 83–79 75–86 Four-year total: 319–328 - (.493)Year one brought October baseball. The next three brought growing pains. The sustained dominance that would define the 2000s was still under construction.Oliver Marmol, &nbsp;(2022–2025) 93–69 71–91 83–79 76–86 Four-year total: 323–325 - (.499)A division title in Year One. Turbulence that followed. Through four seasons, Marmol’s record sits remarkably close to the early returns of Herzog and La Russa — well below Southworth’s historic pace, but squarely within the range of managers who would later define championship eras.History doesn’t guarantee outcomes. It doesn’t excuse poor play, and it doesn’t promise future banners. But it does provide perspective.In St. Louis, eras are rarely defined in their first four seasons.They are defined by what comes next.

Eras Are Not Defined By Their Beginnings

&nbsp; The Cardinal Chronicle Call to the Pen: Cardinals Set Their 2026 Bullpen St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThe Cardinals didn’t just fill out a bullpen, they assembled one with intent. This group leans into versatility, power arms, and a mix of experience and opportunity. There’s no wasted spot here. Every arm has a role, and more importantly, a path to meaningful innings.From established late-inning options to a debut worth watching, this bullpen reflects a club that knows exactly what it wants when the starter hands over the ball.LHP Justin Bruihl - Bruihl gives the Cardinals a steady, situational left-hander who understands his job and doesn’t try to be anything more than that. He works quickly, attacks the zone, and keeps hitters off balance with a mix that plays up against left-handed bats. In a bullpen filled with velocity, Bruihl brings a different look—controlled, efficient, and dependable. He’s the kind of arm managers trust when a key matchup presents itself in the sixth or seventh inning.RHP Riley O’Brien - O’Brien is one of the more intriguing power arms in this group. His fastball has life, and when he’s commanding it, hitters are often on the defensive from pitch one. The key for O’Brien will be consistency—staying in the zone and letting his stuff do the work. If he finds that rhythm, he has the tools to pitch in leverage spots and quietly become one of the more valuable pieces in this bullpen.RHP Matt Pushard -&nbsp;Every bullpen needs a story, and Pushard is it. Making his Major League debut, he represents both opportunity and belief from the organization. The Cardinals don’t hand out bullpen spots—they’re earned. Pushard has clearly done enough to force the issue. Now comes the next step: translating that success to the big stage. Early usage may come in lower-leverage situations, but don’t be surprised if his role grows quickly if he shows poise.LHP JoJo Romero - Romero has become a reliable weapon, particularly against tough left-handed hitters. There’s a quiet confidence to his game now that wasn’t always there earlier in his career. He attacks hitters instead of nibbling, and that mindset has made all the difference. Romero isn’t just a specialist anymore, he’s a trusted arm who can handle full innings when needed.RHP Chris Roycroft - Roycroft brings a workmanlike approach that fits perfectly in a long season. He may not grab headlines, but he fills an important role—bridging innings, keeping games within reach, and taking pressure off the rest of the bullpen. Every strong bullpen has a pitcher like this, and Roycroft looks ready to be that steady presence.RHP George Soriano - Soriano is the kind of arm that can change the feel of a game in a hurry. Power stuff, aggressive approach, and the ability to miss bats. He has shown this spring that he’s built for leverage. When he’s on, he shortens games. The Cardinals will likely lean on him in big spots, and his development into a dependable late-inning option could be one of the more important storylines of the season. A quiet offseason move that could make some noise this season.RHP Ryne Stanek - Stanek brings experience and a track record of pitching in high-pressure situations. I'm a Stanek fan. He’s been there before, and that matters over 162 games. His fastball still plays, and he knows how to attack hitters when the moment calls for it. Stanek gives this bullpen a veteran edge—someone who understands the rhythm of a season and how to navigate the toughest innings.RHP Matt Svanson - Svanson rounds out the group as another arm with upside and opportunity. My take is, he should start the season as the team's closer. There’s strength in his delivery and enough movement in his pitches to keep hitters uncomfortable. Like several others in this bullpen, his role may evolve over time. Early on, he provides depth, but don’t mistake that for limitation. The Cardinals will give him chances, and what he does with them will determine how big his role becomes. This isn't a bullpen built around a big name closer, it's built around team of eight. with flexibility in the pen as roles can shift in a long season.The back end can quickly take shape as the season unfolds with more pitchers competing for the setup and closer's role than I had anticipated over the winter and then again there's highly touted arms in the Cardinals pipeline waiting for their call to the pen.

Call to the Pen: Cardinals Set Their 2026 Bullpen

The Cardinal Chronicle Prospect Stock Market Report On Deck — Tracking the Future of the CardinalsSt. Louis, MO By Ray Mileur 📈 Stock RisingJoshua Baez (OF) Baez has gone from “project” to “problem”—for opposing pitchers. Jumping from unranked to No. 4 in the system, he’s now one of just two 20/50 players in the minors. The tools were always loud. Now the approach is catching up. Improved contact has changed the conversation entirely. This is no longer a lottery ticket—this is a player knocking on the door. And yes, if fans had a vote, he’d already be in St. Louis.Old School Take: Tools get you noticed. Consistency gets you promoted. Baez is finally learning the difference.&nbsp; JJ Wetherholt (INF) There’s prospect hype—and then there’s what Wetherholt is doing. A .405 OBP this spring and complete control of the strike zone has elevated him into elite territory. Not just organizational elite—baseball-wide elite. He didn’t just make the club—he claimed second base. Quietly, confidently, and without giving it back.Old School Take: The game still starts with putting the bat on the ball. Wetherholt does that as well as anyone coming up.&nbsp; Quinn Mathews (LHP) Healthy again, and it shows. Mid-90s velocity, command, and seven strikeouts without a walk in his final spring outing. That’s not projection—that’s performance. He’ll headline Memphis to start the year, but don’t get too comfortable reading those box scores.Old School Take: Availability is a skill—but so is resilience. Mathews is earning his way back the right way.&nbsp; ➖ Stock HoldingLeonardo Bernal (C) Still one of the most dependable young catchers in the system. Gold Glove defense, strong game-calling, and a mature approach at the plate. The power hasn’t arrived yet, but everything else is trending in the right direction.Old School Take: If you can catch, you’ll find your way into the lineup. The bat just determines where.&nbsp; Michael McGreevy (RHP) No surprises here—and that’s a compliment. Throws strikes, limits damage, and now slots into the big-league rotation to start the season. He may never headline a staff, but every good club needs someone like this.Old School Take: Every rotation needs a man who takes the ball and keeps you in the game. McGreevy fits that mold.&nbsp; Won-Bin Cho (OF) Steady after a rocky stretch in 2024. The raw power is still there, and the approach remains disciplined. He hasn’t forced the issue—but he hasn’t faded either. For now, he’s holding his ground.Old School Take: Prospects don’t all rise at once. Some take the long road—and that’s just fine.&nbsp; 📉 Stock FallingChase Davis (OF) The concern is no longer quiet. Nearly a 30% strikeout rate at Double-A and limited power production have raised real questions. For a first-round pick, the expectations—and the spotlight—aren’t going anywhere.Old School Take: At some point, potential has to turn into production. The clock doesn’t stop ticking.&nbsp; Thomas Saggese (INF) Time away at the WBC didn’t help his case this spring. The glove plays, but the bat hasn’t taken the step forward many expected. Too many whiffs, not enough impact. He’s at a crossroads heading into 2026.Old School Take: You don’t lose your job in March—but you can lose your momentum.&nbsp; Tink Hence (RHP) The talent is still there—but so are the durability concerns. Injuries continue to interrupt his development, and he’s yet to reach 100 innings in a season. That’s not a small footnote—that’s the story right now.Old School Take: Ability opens the door. Durability keeps you in the room.&nbsp; &nbsp; For the Record The Prospect Stock Market Report is for evaluation and discussion purposes only. Player value does not truly fluctuate week to week—but performance can reveal direction, and direction is worth tracking.

On Deck — Tracking the Future of the Cardinals

The Cardinal Chronicle Sunday Farm Report - The State of the Farm System St. Louis, MO — By Ray Mileur&nbsp; I. A System That Commands Respect For years, the Cardinals’ farm system lived in the middle of the pack — productive, steady, but rarely elite.That’s no longer the case.Entering 2026, St. Louis has built one of the strongest pipelines in baseball. This isn’t projection. It’s recognition across the industry.The Cardinals aren’t chasing relevance anymore. They’ve earned it.&nbsp; II. The Rankings Back It Up This isn’t one outlet getting optimistic. It’s consensus.Baseball America: #2 Baseball Prospectus: #2 MLB Pipeline: #4 ESPN: #7 The Athletic: #11 Five independent evaluations. Same conclusion.The Cardinals are firmly in the upper tier — built through disciplined drafting, patience in development, and a clear shift in philosophy.&nbsp; III. A Core With Impact Potential This system isn’t built around a single headliner. It’s built on a wave.JJ Wetherholt — Polished bat, advanced approach, gets on base. Liam Doyle — Left-handed command with swing-and-miss upside. Rainiel Rodriguez — Athletic, explosive, still climbing. Joshua Báez — Loud tools, power-speed combination, ceiling remains high. Quinn Mathews — Durable, cerebral, keeps producing.This is how sustainable systems are built — not on hype, but on layers of real big-league potential.&nbsp; IV. The Pitching Identity Has Changed For years, the criticism was simple: the Cardinals couldn’t develop swing-and-miss arms.That conversation is over.A new wave has taken hold:Jurrangelo Cijntje Brandon Clarke Tanner Franklin Ixan Henderson Tekoah Roby Tink Hence Cooper Hjerpe Different profiles, same result:They miss bats.For the first time in a while, the Cardinals aren’t just developing pitchers — they’re developing weapons.&nbsp; V. Springfield Sets the Tone Every strong system has a heartbeat. Right now, it’s Springfield.Defending Texas League champions Manager of the Year returns A roster built on both experience and upside This is where the organization’s philosophy shows up on the field.Players don’t stall there. They take the next step.&nbsp; VI. The Outlook: Built to Last The most encouraging part of this system isn’t where it ranks.It’s where it’s going.The depth is real. The balance is there. The momentum is steady.This isn’t a short-term spike. It’s a foundation.As one evaluator put it this spring: “St. Louis finally looks like a player-development machine again.”Now comes the next phase — turning promise into production at the major league level.&nbsp; The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future&nbsp; . &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

The State of the Farm System

The Cardinal Chronicle St. Louis, MO By Ray Mileur<h3>A Rotation Takes Shape</h3>&nbsp; For years, the Cardinals talked about building a modern pitching identity.This spring, they finally acted on it.After weeks of competition, evaluation, and internal debate, St. Louis has finalized its 2026 starting rotation — a group that reflects not just who pitched the best in March, but what the organization now believes a rotation should be.This isn’t a staff built on reputation. It’s built on conviction.Some springs end with unanswered questions.This one ends with clarity.There is no innings-eating placeholder. No veteran kept around “just in case.” No compromise decision.Every arm earned its way here. Every name carries purpose.As one evaluator put it late in camp, “We didn’t pick the safest five. We picked the right five.” That alone marks a shift.Matthew Liberatore: The New Center of Gravity Naming Matthew Liberatore the Opening Day starter wasn’t just a baseball decision — it was a declaration.The Cardinals are no longer waiting on potential. They’re investing in ownership.Liberatore’s spring showed a pitcher in command — sharper breaking pitches, quicker tempo, and a visible confidence that had been inconsistent in past seasons. The raw ability was never in question. The consistency was.Now, the organization believes that line has been crossed.“He’s taken ownership of his career,” one staff member said. “This is his rotation now.”For a franchise searching for a homegrown anchor, this isn’t symbolic. It’s foundational.&nbsp; Dustin May: The Impact Arm If Liberatore provides stability, Dustin May provides impact.The stuff is back — explosive life, uncomfortable angles, and late movement that forces hitters into decisions they don’t want to make. There’s still risk, and the Cardinals know it. His workload will be managed.But expectations won’t be.May gives this rotation something it has lacked in recent years — a legitimate difference-maker.If he stays healthy, he changes the equation. If he doesn’t, the club finally has the depth to absorb it.Either way, his presence signals intent.&nbsp; Michael McGreevy: Quiet Stability In a rotation full of youth, Michael McGreevy has quietly become the steady presence.He represents the balance the Cardinals have been chasing — attacking the strike zone without becoming predictable, pitching to contact without becoming passive, and missing enough bats to avoid trouble.He won’t dominate headlines. He will win trust.And in a staff built on upside, that matters more than ever.&nbsp; Andre Pallante: A Role Finally Defined Andre Pallante has worn just about every label in recent years.Reliever. Long man. Emergency starter.Now, he has something he hasn’t had before — clarity.Pallante earned a full-time rotation role with improved command, a more complete pitch mix, and a maturity that matches his competitiveness. He gives the staff a different look and a dependable baseline.He’s not here to overpower. He’s here to compete — and to keep his team in games.That role has value.&nbsp; Kyle Leahy: The Spring That Couldn’t Be Ignored Every camp produces one name that forces the conversation.This year, it was Kyle Leahy.He didn’t benefit from circumstance. He created it.Leahy consistently executed, filled the strike zone, and handled every opportunity with poise. In a camp built on competition, he made the decision unavoidable.As one coach put it, “He made it for us.”For an organization searching for internal success stories, this one matters.&nbsp; Richard Fitts: Development Over Convenience Richard Fitts didn’t lose a job.He was assigned a role.By sending him to Memphis, the Cardinals made a forward-thinking decision — prioritizing development over short-term flexibility. They want him starting every fifth day, not waiting for innings in a crowded bullpen.The belief in his future hasn’t changed. The plan simply reflects it.&nbsp; A Rotation With Identity For the first time in several seasons, the Cardinals’ rotation has shape.A young anchor stepping forward. A high-ceiling arm capable of changing games. A stabilizing presence. A competitor who keeps the game under control. A breakout arm who earned his place.This is not a group built on past résumés. It’s built on present performance.And more importantly, it’s built with the future in mind.As one voice inside the organization said late in camp, “We finally look like the staff we’ve been trying to build.”Now comes the real test, the 2026 regular season.&nbsp; The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.&nbsp;

A Rotation Takes Shape

A New Number, Arsenal, &amp; Role: Liberatore Takes the Hill The Cardinal Chronicle&nbsp; St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurOpening Day Belongs to LiberatoreMatthew Liberatore isn’t just getting the ball on Opening Day—he’s taking ownership of it.The 26-year-old left-hander from Peoria, Arizona has earned the assignment, and the St. Louis Cardinals have made it official: Liberatore will start the home opener at Busch Stadium. It’s a moment that carries weight in this town, and for the first time in his career, he looks ready to carry it.Originally selected 16th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, Liberatore entered professional baseball with expectations already attached. Tampa Bay doesn’t miss often when it comes to pitching, and they saw frontline potential early.That belief followed him to St. Louis.In January 2020, the Cardinals acquired Liberatore in a deal that sent Randy Arozarena to Tampa Bay—a trade that has been debated ever since. Arozarena became a postseason star, while Liberatore spent his early big-league career searching for consistency, moving between the rotation and bullpen.Fair or not, the comparisons lingered.This spring, Liberatore changed the conversation.Over 18.1 innings, he delivered a dominant 24-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, showing a level of command that had previously been inconsistent. His fastball sat comfortably at 94–95 mph, but more importantly, he pitched with purpose—working ahead, finishing hitters, and controlling the pace of the game.In his final tune-up against the Mets, Liberatore threw five shutout innings, allowing just one hit while retiring 13 consecutive batters. It wasn’t just effective—it was convincing.The biggest difference may be his expanded arsenal.This spring, Liberatore introduced a splitter to neutralize right-handed hitters, a group that has given him trouble in the past. He also refined his changeup into a “kick-change,” blending movement profiles, while adding velocity to his cutter to attack early in counts.The result is a seven-pitch mix—fastball, sinker, cutter, slider, curveball, changeup, and splitter—that keeps hitters from getting comfortable.There’s also a quiet signal of intent. Liberatore switched from No. 52 to No. 32 this spring, honoring Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax. It’s more than a number—it’s a mindset.Last season, Liberatore showed flashes, including an eight-start stretch where he allowed two runs or fewer from mid-April through late May. He finished with eight wins and a 4.21 ERA—solid, but not the profile of a traditional Opening Day starter.This year is different.The command is sharper. The confidence is visible. The approach is more mature. And for the first time, the opportunity feels earned—not given.Opening Day starters don’t always come with the biggest résumé. Sometimes they’re the pitcher who’s ready when the moment arrives.Right now, that pitcher is Matthew Liberatore.And next Thursday at Busch Stadium, the moment belongs to him.&nbsp;

A New Number, A New Arsenal, & A New Role

The Cardinal Chronicle 

The Cardinal Chronicle is dedicated to preserving Cardinals history, covering today’s game, and following the next generation through the minor leagues. Written in the tradition of the old beat writers, it’s baseball with perspective — steady, faithful, and rooted in a lifelong love for the game.