The St. Louis Cardinals optioned their No. 4 prospect, Thomas Saggese, and promoted former top Cincinnati Reds prospect Jose Barrero. Barrero is set to join the team before their four-game series against the Reds begins on Monday.
Roster Re-Shuffle for Outfield Depth
Jose Barrero gives the Cardinals added versatility, as the 27-year-old can play shortstop and all three outfield spots. Recently, the Cardinals optioned center fielder Michael Siani when shortstop Masyn Winn returned from the injured list. Thomas Saggese, who had been with the team for several weeks filling in first for Nolan Gorman and then Winn, remained on the roster at that time.
Now, Barrero is expected to serve as the backup shortstop behind Winn and the backup center fielder behind Victor Scott II. He’s also likely to get starts in center field against left-handed pitchers, given that Scott is hitting just .191 against lefties this season compared to .288 against righties.
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Barrero Gets Another Shot in the Big Leagues
Jose Barrero, once a highly regarded prospect for the Reds, made his Major League debut with them in 2020. However, his bat never fully developed, as he hit just .186 with a -2.7 WAR over nearly 140 games across three seasons.
After not appearing in the majors in 2024, Barrero signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals during the offseason and received an invitation to Spring Training. Despite a strong showing in camp, he began the year at Triple-A. So far this season, Barrero has posted a .299/.396/.517 slash line with four home runs, 13 RBI, and five stolen bases.
Saggese Will Have to Bide His Time Again
Thomas Saggese has performed well during his time with the Cardinals this season, posting a .341/.364/.512 slash line with a home run and seven RBI in 44 at-bats, including 11 starts. He also showcased strong defensive skills while with the big league club.
However, with a fully healthy infield, Saggese’s opportunities for consistent playing time were limited. Despite his ability to play second base, shortstop, or third base, he was buried on the depth chart behind Nolan Arenado, Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, and Nolan Gorman. As a result, Saggese will return to Triple-A, where he hopes to stay sharp in case the Cardinals need him again.
