Liberatore held Triple-A Norfolk to one run on four hits and four walks over six innings Thursday, striking out five and lowering his ERA to 3.83.
Through seven starts, Liberatore owns a terrific 46:12 K:BB in 40 innings; his four walks in this one were uncharacteristic and perhaps a result of trying to be extra fine in a high-profile matchup against the game's top pitching prospect, Grayson Rodriguez. Both starters gave up only one run, but Liberatore outlasted Rodriguez, who came out after five innings. A lanky lefty with a clean delivery and good movement on his pitches, Liberatore is on the doorstep of the majors, and depending on the health of the Cardinals' rotation as the year wears on, he could even have the opportunity to seize a spot permanently.