Cardinals' Thomas Saggese: Absent from St. Louis lineup
Rotowire
Saggese is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Saggese had started each of the first six games for the Cardinals upon his promotion, but he'll grab a seat Monday as the Pirates send Paul Skenes to the mound. Masyn Winn and Brendan Donovan will form the St. Louis middle infield in the series opener.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Thomas Saggese: Clubs first big-league homer
Rotowire
Saggese went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Friday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Blue Jays.
Saggese picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice in the first inning. He then lifted his first major-league homer off former Cardinals reliever Genesis Cabrera in the eighth. Through four games with the big club, Saggese has gone 3-for-16 with three RBI and three runs scored. This was the third game in a row he's started at second base, and Brendan Donovan has played in left field for two of those contests -- there could be room for both players in the lineup down the stretch, at the expense of corner outfielders Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker.
Cardinals' Thomas Saggese: Breaks through in third game
Rotowire
Saggese went 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Reds.
Saggese had nothing to show for through his first two games, going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts. He was finally able to check off some accomplishments Thursday, which included an RBI single in the eighth inning. The infield prospect flexed some power with Triple-A Memphis this year, hitting 20 home runs while slashing .253/.313/.438 across 125 contests prior to his call-up to the majors. Saggese will serve as infield depth during his time in the majors, though it's unclear if he'll stay up with the big club through the end of the regular season. The Cardinals are six games out of a wild-card spot, so it makes sense for them to give one of their top prospects an audition down the stretch.
Cardinals' Thomas Saggese: Officially added to roster
Rotowire
The Cardinals selected Saggese's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.
Brendan Donovan (foot) has been unavailable the last couple days and the Cardinals have been wanting to give Masyn Winn a little more rest, so Saggese should pick up some starts in the middle infield for St. Louis down the stretch. The 22-year-old got off to a slow start with Memphis this season but had turned it on since the beginning of July, slashing .291/.351/.524 with 12 home runs over 55 games. Saggese is starting at shortstop and batting seventh Tuesday versus the Reds in what will be his major-league debut.
Cardinals' Thomas Saggese: Receiving promotion to big leagues
Rotowire
The Cardinals will call up Saggese from Triple-A Memphis prior to Tuesday's game against the Reds, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
St. Louis has yet to announce corresponding transaction, but Brendan Donovan (foot) has been banged up lately and may require a stint on the injured list. Saggese had a so-so first three months with Memphis this season but has slashed .291/.351/.524 with 12 home runs over 55 games since the start of July. The 22-year-old has mostly played shortstop this season but could get regular run at second base if Donovan needs to miss some time.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Thomas Saggese: Slow start at Triple-A
Rotowire
Saggese is slashing .243/.325/.397 with five home runs and four steals in 36 games for Triple-A Memphis.
He is now slashing .232/.309/.381 with six home runs and five steals in 49 career games at Triple-A, dating back to last year, which is subpar for a player whose bat is going to have to carry the day. Saggese has played 27 games at shortstop, five games at second base and five games at third base. It's worth noting that Saggese is the sixth-youngest qualified hitter at Triple-A, and the five who are younger are Jackson Holliday, Junior Caminero, James Wood, Owen Caissie and Jonatan Clase, so patience is probably warranted in dynasty leagues.
