The 26-year-old outfielder, formerly with the Detroit Tigers, was added to the St. Louis Cardinals’ active roster on Saturday following a strong showing with Triple-A Memphis to start the season.
Vilade spent the bulk of 2024 with Triple-A Toledo, appearing in 17 games across three brief stints with the Tigers, where he hit .178 (8-for-45) with one home run.
A 2017 second-round draft pick (48th overall) by the Colorado Rockies out of Stillwater High School in Oklahoma, Vilade debuted in the majors with Colorado in 2021 at age 22, though he went hitless in seven plate appearances. He was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 2022 season, then signed a minor-league contract with Detroit ahead of 2024.
He made his “second debut” in the big leagues in May, 962 days after his first, filling in for the demoted Parker Meadows. Vilade had two more brief call-ups in July but wasn’t part of the Tigers’ late-season roster or their playoff run.
In 108 games with the Toledo Mud Hens, Vilade slashed .278/.795 with 24 doubles, 13 home runs, and 20 stolen bases. While he mainly plays the outfield, he also brings infield versatility.
