St. Louis Cardinals Minor-League Roundup: Rowan Wick Debuts in Double-A

Hard-throwing righty Rowan Wick made his upper minors debut on Wednesday, continuing his rapid ascent up the ladder since becoming a pitcher.

Wednesday was generally a frustrating day across the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor-league season, as four of the five teams in action ended up losing. Two teams were shut out, and just seven players across the entire system collected multiple hits. In addition, starters Jerome Williams, Luke Weaver, and Junior Gonzalez returned to earth after strong starts to their respective 2016 campaigns. Also, converted outfielder Rowan Wick made his debut  in Double-A, advancing to the upper minors just more than a year after moving to the mound.

Triple-A Memphis won 11-5 over Colorado Springs

• While he was still solid, Jerome Williams had his least impressive start with the Redbirds to date, giving up four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings.
• Five of the Redbirds’ eight starting position players–Michael McKenry, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Carlos Peguero, Dean Anna, and Jacob Wilson–had multiple hits. Though he was the only player among that group not to collect an extra-base hit, Wilson led the pack with three hits in five at-bats.
• In his third Triple-A game of the year, Randal Grichuk was limited to pinch-hitting duty and grounded out in the ninth inning.

Double-A Springfield lost 9-5 to Tulsa

• The Cardinals’ offense wasn’t especially potent on Tuesday, as they collected no extra-base hits. Catcher Mike Ohlman and third baseman Bruce Caldwell were the only players to reach base twice, with both going 2-for-4.
• Luke Weaver had his third quality start in four chances for the Cardinals, giving up two earned runs on five hits and a walk over six innings.
• After appearing in the Florida State League All-Star Game, converted outfielder Rowan Wick was promoted to Double-A and made his debut in the upper minors on Wednesday, facing two batters and collecting a strikeout and a walk.
• First baseman Jonathan Rodriguez made his first career pitching appearance in the ninth inning, collecting two outs without surrendering a hit or walk.

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High-A Palm Beach lost 5-0 to St. Lucie

• The Cardinals were shut out for the second straight day and reached base just five times on Wednesday. They had no extra-base hits, and Casey Grayson and Cole Lankford‘s singles were the team’s only two hits.
• Starter Matt Pearce was solid, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and a walk over seven innings.

Class A Peoria was off for its All-Star break.

Short Season Class A State College lost 4-0

• Just like Palm Beach, State College was shut out for the second day in a row, and they lacked any extra-base hits or multi-hit efforts.
• Starter Bryan Dobzanski, who took the loss, gave up three earned runs on six hits and two walks over six innings.

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DSL Cardinals lost 5-4 to DSL Rockies in a rain-shortened contest

• Despite scoring four runs, the Cardinals had just three hits. Center fielder Wadye Ynfante was the only player to reach base twice, collecting a single and a walk.
• After two very strong starts to begin the 2016 season, Junior Gonzalez was roughed up on Wednesday, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits over five innings.