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Cardinals Minor League Roundup: Trio of SP Prospects Deliver Dominant Performances

By Patrick Karraker

Mar 12, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon (95) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon (95) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Three Cardinals starting pitching prospects dominated in their respective outings on Friday.

Friday was generally a strong night for the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor-league system, particularly in the starting pitching department. The organization’s top two prospects, Alex Reyes and Jack Flaherty, both delivered memorable starts, and highly-regarded starter Daniel Poncedeleon was dominant as well. Here’s how things went for Cardinals minor-leaguers on Friday:

Triple-A Memphis lost 4-1 to Las Vegas

  • In his second start at Memphis, top prospect Alex Reyes threw five innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and one earned run while striking out seven.
  • Tommy Pham went 2-for-3 with a walk. Pham is now hitting .296 since rejoining Memphis at the conclusion of his rehab assignment on May 19.
  • In his debut for the Redbirds, newly-acquired Jose Martinez went 1-for-4 with a double. Martinez got the start at first base, a position that he’s played 44 times since the start of 2015 and is probably more befitting of his 6-foot-6, 215-pound frame.

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Double-A Springfield won 1-0 over Frisco

  • Shortstop Jhonny Peralta, playing his first rehab game with Springfield after a five-game stint at Peoria, went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. He was lifted for a pinch runner in the sixth inning.
  • The Cardinals’ best two hitters this season, center fielder Harrison Bader and catcher Carson Kelly, were once again their two best hitters on Friday night. Bader homered in the top of the ninth to give the Cardinals the lead, while Kelly singled to collect the Cardinals’ only other hit against the RoughRiders.
  • Springfield starter Daniel Poncedeleon had his longest start of the season, going 7.2 innings in a dominant effort. Poncedeleon shut out the RoughRiders while allowing five hits, walking one, and striking out six.

High-A Palm Beach won 3-2 over Jupiter

  • 2014 first-rounder Jack Flaherty had his first outing of six or more innings this season, throwing six shutout frames while allowing four hits, walking two, and striking out nine. It was a major bounce back for Flaherty, who had allowed three or more earned runs in five of his last six starts prior to Friday.
  • Third baseman Allen Staton, signed as an undrafted free agent last June, was the Cardinals’ star performer on Friday night, going 3-for-4 with two doubles.

Next: How Will Cardinals Solve Upcoming Catching Conundrum?

Class A Peoria lost 7-4 to Quad Cities

  • Every batter in the Peoria lineup except shortstop Edmundo Sosa and second baseman Eliezer Alvarez collected at least one hit. Strangely, just one of the team’s 11 hits went for extra bases.
  • Highly-regarded outfield prospect Magneuris Sierra had a good day, going 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs batted in.
  • Peoria starter Brennan Leitao got hit hard, giving up 10 hits and five runs (four earned) in 5.1 innings, but he did strike out seven of the 28 batters he faced.
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