Ray Mileur

You might be a #STLCards fan, if you are up six runs in the top of the 8th and you are looking for an insurance run.

The #STLCards Armchair GM - Iván Herrera's Future? I’ll take a first-inning single in LA from Iván Herrera every time. But one hit doesn’t settle the concern about what has happened to his power. You don’t have to live by a spreadsheet to understand this: A hitter whose primary job is to hit needs to drive the baseball. Statcast’s barrel rate measures how often a hitter combines exit velocity and launch angle to produce the kind of contact that routinely becomes extra-base hits and home runs. Herrera’s rate has fallen from 11.1% in 2025 to 5.4% this season—cut by more than half. And that number isn’t standing alone. His average exit velocity has dropped from 91.2 mph to 89.2. His hard-hit rate has fallen from 47.7% to 40.4%. His slugging percentage has slipped from .464 to .375. Together, those numbers indicate that he does less damage on contact. That doesn’t mean Herrera brings nothing to the lineup. A .358 on-base percentage and 82 runs scored have value. He draws walks, gets on base and gives the hitters behind him opportunities. Those contributions count, too. But with Herrera spending most of his time at designated hitter and providing limited work behind the plate, his offensive production carries more of the responsibility for his value. The Cardinals need more extra-base damage from that role. The question is whether this is a decline he can correct and what adjustment will get him driving the ball again. The numbers identify the concern; they don’t establish the cause or make the decline permanent. Enjoy the single tonight. I do. But when evaluating Herrera’s future, I’m looking at the season’s worth of contact behind it and wondering what role he'll play for St. Louis in 2027.

The Cardinal Chronicle Farm Report is your most complete daily look at the #STLCards minor league system — from box scores and standings to standout performances, prospect notes and the daily Top 30 Prospect Watch. Saturday belonged to Peoria. The Chiefs won a wild one, beating West Michigan 13-10 in 11 innings. Brayden Smith earned Hitter of the Day honors: final line of 5-for-6, HR, 3 RBI, R Brian Holiday earned Pitcher of the Day honors: final line of 5.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K Memphis dropped both games of a doubleheader. Springfield’s 10-game winning streak ended. Peoria hit four home runs. Palm Beach was postponed by rain and is scheduled to make it up today. I also added a bigger Top 30 Prospect Watch today, using both completed box-score notes and live-season lines from the MiLB Today prospect table. Here is today’s Cardinal Chronicle Farm Report. cardinalchronicle.com/blog/f…

#STLCards - Quinn Mathews earned his first major-league victory, and the Cardinals gave him plenty of support in a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. For the young left-hander, it was an important milestone—and perhaps the first of many. ⚾ Read the complete Game Day Recap: cardinalchronicle.com/blog/m…

#STLCards Deja vue - For Peete's Sake!

The Cardinal Chronicle Farm Report is your most complete daily look at the #STLCards minor league system — from box scores and standings to standout performances, prospect notes and the daily Top 30 Prospect Watch. Springfield did it again. The Cardinals beat San Antonio 7-2 Thursday night at Route 66 Stadium, stretching their winning streak to nine and pushing their Texas League North lead to six games. Tai Peete, the MLB Pipeline No. 19 prospect, earned Player of the Day honors: 3-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, SB Daniel Eagen, the MLB Pipeline No. 17 prospect, earned Pitcher of the Day honors: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 11 K Memphis won in 10 innings. Springfield won its ninth straight. Peoria fell despite a strong start from Brandon Clarke. Palm Beach rallied to beat Dunedin. Here is today’s Cardinal Chronicle Farm Report. cardinalchronicle.com/blog/t…