Blog

The Cardinal Chronicle World Baseball Classic Guide St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThe 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) is set to run March 5–17, with games scheduled across four international venues: San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tokyo, Japan; Houston, Texas (Daikin Park); and Miami, Florida (loanDepot Park). The tournament’s pool stage will take place March 5–11, with the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship round following through March 17.Twenty national teams will compete for the global title in this sixth edition of the Classic. Pool play will be conducted in a round-robin format at four sites before advancing to a single-elimination knockout stage.2026 World Baseball Classic Schedule &amp; PoolsPool A (Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico): Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, Colombia.&nbsp;Pool B (Daikin Park, Houston, TX): United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil.&nbsp;Pool C (Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan): Japan, Korea, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic.&nbsp;Pool D (loanDepot Park, Miami, FL): Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Netherlands, Israel, Nicaragua.Pool play will then be followed by quarterfinal games in Houston and Miami, with semifinal games and the championship later in Miami. The title game is scheduled for Tuesday night, March 17 at 8 p.m. Eastern.All 47 Classic games will be broadcast across Fox, FS1, FS2 and Tubi platforms, providing extensive coverage for the global tournament.St. Louis Cardinals RepresentationThe Cardinals will be represented by multiple personnel on provisional rosters for the Classic this March. Among those currently in Major League camp as of this writing are C Leo Bernal (Panama), RHP Gordon Graceffo (Italy), INF Thomas Saggese (Italy), INF Luis Gastelum (Mexico), OF Matt Koperniak (Great Britain) and INF Bryan Torres (Puerto Rico). Coaches Stubby Clapp (Canada) and Julio Rangel (Panama), along with Assistant Athletic Trainer Chris Conroy (Puerto Rico), are also included on provisional WBC rosters.The Classic gives Cardinals fans a global stage to follow players representing their heritage and national teams this spring, with games kicking off early March and running into the heart of March Madness week in the United States.Looking AheadAs pool play unfolds in the coming days, fans will get their first glimpses of intense international baseball competition leading into the knockout rounds. The Cardinals’ affiliations in multiple countries’ camps offer a unique vantage point on how their talent is woven into the worldwide game.

World Baseball Classic Guide

The Cardinal Chronicle World Baseball Classic Representation St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThe St. Louis Cardinals will have significant representation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with nine players, two coaches, and one athletic trainer named to provisional rosters for the tournament scheduled for March 5–17.Among those currently in Major League camp are right-handed pitcher *Riley O’Brien (Team Korea), catcher Leo Bernal (Panama), right-handed pitcher Gordon Graceffo (Italy), infielder Thomas Saggese (Italy), infielder Luis Gastelum (Mexico), outfielder Matt Koperniak (Great Britain), and infielder Bryan Torres (Puerto Rico).In addition, bench coach Stubby Clapp will represent Canada, and coach Julio Rangel will join Team Panama. Certified Assistant Athletic Trainer Chris Conroy has also been named to Puerto Rico’s provisional roster.While final roster decisions are still to come, the early representation reflects both the international reach of the Cardinals organization and the depth currently present in camp. The World Baseball Classic continues to showcase the global nature of the game, and St. Louis will once again have a visible presence on that stage. * Editor's note -Although initially named to the roster, Riley O'Brien was forced to withdraw in February due to a mild calf strain sustained during spring training. He was replaced on the roster by Kim Taek-yeonThe Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future AI-generated illustration via Durable. Not an offical team or player photographs

World Baseball Classic Representation

&nbsp; Monday's Prospect Stock Market Report On Deck — Tracking the Future of the Cardinals March 2, 2026The second Prospect Stock Market Report of 2026 arrives with the first real game action of the spring beginning to shape early evaluations. Grapefruit League at-bats and innings are limited in meaning, but they offer a glimpse — not of finished products — but of progression.For some, the arrow is pointing up. For others, timelines have shifted. And for a few, the industry’s steady confidence remains unchanged.This is not about headlines. It is about trajectory. STOCK RISING 📈JJ Wetherholt, (2B/3B/DH), 23, - MLBThe Cardinals Top Prospect, JJ Wetherholt is competing for the starting second base role in the St. Louis Cardinals Big League camp. Following the trades of veterans like Brendan Donovan, he is widely projected to be the Opening Day starter.&nbsp; Wetherholt's first home run this spring came on February 27, 2026, with a 422-foot solo home run with a 105.4 mph exit velocity against New York Mets closer Devin Williams.Through his first few games, Wetherhold has displayed elite patience, drawing four walks in just 10 plate appearances for a .500 on-base percentage.Defensively he is getting reps at both second and third base, while he has primarily been stationed at second base or DH during camp drills and early Grapefruit action to keep his bat in the lineup and take a little pressure off of him after a couple of defensive miscues.Wetherholt is a non-roster invitee, but I expect him to be added to the 40-man roster and starting the regular season at second base, for the Cardinals on opening day.&nbsp; Rainiel Rodriguez (C), 19 - High-ARodriguez wasted no time introducing himself to the major league stage. In his first Grapefruit League at-bat on February 22, he scorched a 106.7 mph double down the left-field line against Houston. The swing was loud, but just as encouraging was the composure. He later worked a walk and reached on an error, remaining in the game through the seventh inning as a designated hitter.The power is real. The approach may be ahead of schedule.&nbsp; Joshua Baez (OF),&nbsp; 22 - Double-AFew prospects in the system have experienced a more dramatic recalibration over the past year. Mechanical adjustments — most notably a taller stance — paired with improved pitch recognition have unlocked his 70-grade raw power with greater consistency.The industry has taken notice. Once unranked on several lists, Baez now sits as the No. 4 prospect in the system according to Baseball America and No. 87 overall via MLB Pipeline. His addition to the 40-man roster this offseason signals organizational belief. The tools were always present. Now the production is beginning to follow.&nbsp; Liam Doyle (LHP),&nbsp; 21 - Double-ADoyle’s buildup has been deliberate. Kept in minor league camp to structure his first full professional season properly, he has nonetheless generated considerable internal buzz during big-league bullpen sessions.The fastball quality and mound presence have drawn attention from staff. No rush. No overexposure. Just steady acceleration beneath the surface.&nbsp; Leonardo Bernal (C),&nbsp; 21 - Double-ABernal has already appeared in early Grapefruit League action and opened with a .500 on-base percentage in his initial plate appearances. It’s a small sample, but it reinforces what evaluators have long believed: his offensive maturity continues to trend forward.In a system rich with catching depth, he remains firmly in the conversation.&nbsp; HOLDINGJimmy Crooks (C),&nbsp; 24 - MLBCrooks remains one of the organization’s most stable prospect assets. Consistently ranked among the system’s Top 5 and viewed as a near-term contributor, there is no dramatic swing in evaluation this spring.Catchers develop in layers. The organization continues to invest in his timeline, and the industry’s confidence has not wavered.&nbsp; STOCK FALLING 📉Tekoah Roby (RHP), 24 - Triple A MemphisPromoted to Memphis in June 2025, where he initially struggled before settling in to allow just two earned runs over his final 21 innings.Roby’s momentum stalled last July with a UCL tear that required Tommy John surgery. His development clock is paused, and a return likely extends into late 2026 or 2027.Currently ranked as the Cardinals' #11 prospect as of February 2026.This is delay, not derailment. But innings matter — and they will be missed.&nbsp; Chase Davis (OF), 24 - Triple A MemphisOnce positioned near the Top 10 in the system entering 2025, Davis slid during the season and has yet to fully reestablish upward momentum. The questions center on offensive consistency and approach refinement.Davis strength is his elite raw power (60 grade), his plus arm strength (60-70 grade), and strong on-base skills. There are ongoing concerns regarding his contact rate and "swing-and-miss" issues against breaking pitches and offspeed offerings.As of March 2026, he is a non-roster invitee to the Cardinals' Major League spring training. He played the entire 2025 campaign at Double-A Springfield, where I don't think he has anything left to prove and expect him to start the season at Triple-A Memphis.The physical ability remains. The adjustment phase continues.&nbsp; Overall, the system enters 2026 stronger than it stood a year ago. There is more upper-level depth, clearer tiers among impact prospects, and legitimate national recognition attached to several names. The Cardinals are not simply collecting talent — they are clarifying it.Development is not linear. It is layered. And right now, the layers are stacking in the right direction. Editor’s Note: Player development is not a day-trading exercise. Evaluations are layered over time. This weekly report simply reflects observable momentum — who is trending forward, holding steady, or working through adjustments.

Monday's Prospect Stock Market Report

The Cardinal Chronicle Brycen Mautz Emerging as a Rotation Force St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThere’s a certain comfort in watching a left-hander who simply goes about his business every fifth day. No theatrics. No radar-gun headlines. Just execution.That was Brycen Mautz in 2025.The 6-foot-3, 225-pound southpaw spent the entire season at Springfield (AA) and delivered one of the most complete pitching performances in the Texas League. In 25 starts, Mautz went 11-3, posting a .727 winning percentage while leading the league in WHIP at 1.11. He finished second in ERA (2.98) and tied for fourth in strikeouts (134). For his efforts, he was named the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year and earned Texas League Postseason All-Star honors.That wasn’t a hot stretch. That was sustained dominance.Since the start of 2023, Mautz has piled up 377 strikeouts — ranking 12th in all of Minor League Baseball. That number matters. It tells you the swing-and-miss ability is real and repeatable, not just a favorable matchup here or there.What makes Mautz effective isn’t overpowering velocity. His fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s, but it plays up because he commands it. He works both sides of the plate, stays ahead in counts, and forces hitters to swing at his pitch.The separator is his slider — tight, late-breaking, and capable of generating both strikeouts and weak contact. It’s the pitch that allows him to finish hitters once he’s established the fastball. His changeup gives him a reliable third offering, particularly against right-handed bats, keeping them from sitting on hard stuff.More importantly, he repeats his delivery. Strong lower half. Downhill plane. Controlled tempo. That mechanical consistency is reflected in the WHIP. He doesn’t beat himself with unnecessary traffic.Leading the Texas League in WHIP tells you he manages innings. Finishing second in ERA tells you he limits damage. Making 25 starts without wearing down tells you he’s durable.At 24 years old, Mautz is no longer just a developmental arm. He’s approaching the point where performance meets opportunity. The next logical step is Triple-A, where more advanced hitters will test his ability to command the edges and land the slider when they refuse to chase.The encouraging sign is that Mautz’s success is built on command, sequencing, and competitiveness — traits that traditionally translate up the ladder.His ceiling projects as a mid-rotation starter with strikeout capability. At worst, he profiles as a multi-inning left-handed weapon capable of neutralizing tough stretches in a game.The Cardinals have long valued pitchers who take the ball, compete, and control the strike zone. Brycen Mautz fits that mold. He was added to the Cardinals 40-man roster, in November 2025, to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.He may not grab national headlines just yet, but entering the 2026 season, he is positioned as a Triple-A Memphis starter or a potential major-league relief/hybrid candidate, with an expected MLB arrival at some point this season.&nbsp;But within the organization, he’s firmly on the radar — and trending up Photo Credit - PJ Maigi The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future

Mautz Emerging as a Rotation Force

This Date in Cardinal History – Kolten Wong Signs Five-Year Deal &nbsp;On this date, March 2, 2016, the St. Louis Cardinals signed second baseman Kolten Wong to a five-year, $25.5 million contract extension. The deal included a $12.5 million club option with a $1 million buyout and limited no-trade protection.At the time, it raised eyebrows, at least it did mine.Wong was talented. Athletic. Homegrown. But he wasn’t a star — not yet. He’d shown flashes of Gold Glove defense and gap power, but consistency at the plate was still developing. For a fan base conditioned to careful payroll decisions, it felt like the Cardinals were paying on projection rather than production.And if you were holding stacks of his rookie cards — like some of us were — you might’ve wondered whether the front office knew something you didn’t.Looking back, that contract now feels almost quaint.In today’s market, $5–6 million per year for a middle infielder entering his prime is modest. Especially one who would go on to win multiple Gold Gloves and become a steady presence at second base. Wong matured into exactly what the Cardinals hoped: reliable defense, improved on-base skills, postseason experience, and quiet leadership.He was never flashy. Never the headline. But he became part of the spine of the club.The Cardinals have long believed in identifying their core early and betting on it — a philosophy rooted in what many refer to as “The Cardinal Way.” They extended Wong before he became expensive. Before the market dictated the terms. Before the narrative shifted.At the time, some saw risk. In hindsight, it was organizational conviction.Wong’s tenure in St. Louis included highlight-reel defense, postseason moments, and steady growth. His contract ultimately proved team-friendly, and the club exercised its option years later because the value was there.And those rookie cards? Well — sometimes the investment isn’t just in cardboard, but in baseball memories.Preserving the Past. Promoting the Present. Projecting the Future.

Kolten Wong Signs Five-Year Deal

The Cardinal Chronicle Marmol Extended Through 2028 St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThe St. Louis Cardinals made a significant organizational decision Sunday, announcing a two-year contract extension for Manager Oliver “Oli” Marmol that will keep him under contract through the 2028 season, with a club option for 2029.In an era when managers often become convenient lightning rods for frustration, this move signals something different. It signals stability.Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom made the organization’s position clear, emphasizing Marmol’s investment in the young core, his willingness to challenge himself, and his understanding of what has historically made the Cardinals successful. In short, Bloom sees alignment.And alignment matters.Marmol, 39, enters his fifth season at the helm in 2026. He currently ranks 11th on the franchise’s all-time managerial wins list with a 325–323 record. He is also the third-longest tenured manager in the National League with the same club, trailing only Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks.That alone tells you something about today’s game.Marmol’s first season in 2022 remains his benchmark year — a 93-win campaign and a National League Central title, the club’s first division crown since 2019. At age 36, he became the youngest manager to lead his team to the postseason since Lou Boudreau did so in 1948.Since then, the results have been more uneven. That’s simply being honest. The club has hovered around .500 over the last four seasons combined, and the win–loss record reflects a team in transition. But the Cardinals are clearly betting that continuity — not another reset — is the better path forward.And there is logic to that.Marmol is not an outsider brought in to flip a switch. He has been part of this organization since 2007 — first as a player, then as a minor league manager, then as a major league coach, and finally as the 51st manager in franchise history. He has been shaped by the organization’s development system, not imported from outside it.He was recognized with the George Kissell Award in 2013 for excellence in player development — a detail worth remembering as the Cardinals lean into a younger core. Development, patience, and accountability tend to go hand-in-hand. You don’t preach one and abandon the others at the first storm.The question now isn’t whether Marmol deserved an extension. The front office has answered that.The real question is whether this next wave — the young core Bloom referenced — takes the next step under his leadership.Managers don’t swing bats. They don’t throw innings. But they set tone, enforce standards, and shape culture. In St. Louis, that still matters.The Cardinals are choosing steadiness over reaction. Continuity over turnover.Time will tell if that decision pays off.But for now, the message from the front office is clear:They believe Oli Marmol is the man to lead the next chapter.

Marmol Extended Through 2028

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.