Predicting the Memphis Redbirds’ Opening Day Roster

Sep 9, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Samuel Tuivailala (64) pitches during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds defeated the Cardinals 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Update 3/30: With Marco Gonzales entering the Triple-A rotation, Zach Petrick enters this bullpen group in place of Chris Thomas.

Bullpen (7): Sam Tuivailala, Miguel Socolovich, Marcus Hatley, Mitch Harris, Dean Kiekhefer (L), Nick Greenwood (L), Zach Petrick, Joey Donofrio

The Cardinals’ bullpen depth is somewhat of a weak spot, as only two pitchers among this group pitched in the majors during 2014. While Greenwood is well-equipped to help the major-league club in a long relief role if needed, Tuivailala is still very raw and needs to develop more as a pitcher so that he has more to survive on than just his 100 MPH fastball, and therefore he may not be among the first players considered for a promotion when necessary.

Hatley and Harris have both had success this spring and could be the organization’s first two righthanded relief options in the event of an injury to a big-league reliever. Donofrio is rather unproven, but has moved up the organizational ranks quickly, having advanced to Triple-A in less than three seasons after being selected in the 31st round of the 2012 draft. He dominated Double-A before getting roughed up a bit at the minors’ highest level last year, and he should get another chance to showcase himself at Memphis this season. Thomas, a 27-year-old who was not drafted, was also dominant in Double-A last year and could advance to Memphis this April.

Kiekhefer was rather effective as a lefty reliever in Memphis a year ago, and after being invited to big-league camp this spring, he’ll presumably get another shot to pitch out of the Redbirds’ bullpen.

Though it’s easier for the Cardinals to avoid doing so because of the close proximity of their Triple-A club in Memphis and their Double-A team in Springfield, most minor-league teams keep an extra pitcher or two stashed on the disabled list so that they have easily accessible depth, as minor-league bullpens are more easily burned through with starters going fewer innings. Donofrio or Thomas, could begin the season on the DL with the Redbirds. With Thomas having been a former undrafted free agent, I have him filling that role to begin the year, but both will likely get their fair shares of work as the season goes on.

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