The St. Louis Cardinals recently gave a promising infield prospect another shot at the major league level, following his brief debut in 2024. Called up to temporarily replace starting shortstop Masyn Winn — who was sidelined with an injury—initially made a strong impression. However, following a recent downturn in performance, the Cardinals have decided to send the young infielder back to Triple-A Memphis, where he’ll have the opportunity to refine his game and gain more experience before returning to the big leagues.
He earned his call-up due to the absence of Winn, and he capitalized on the opportunity early, impressing with consistent contact at the plate. Even after Winn was reactivated from the injured list last Tuesday, he remained with the major league squad thanks to his hot start — he notched at least one hit in each of his first nine starts. But as quickly as things looked promising, they took a dip: over his last 11 at-bats, he managed just one hit and went hitless in back-to-back games against the Milwaukee Brewers, leading the Cardinals to opt for a cautious approach with his development.
Despite the recent cold stretch, he still boasts an impressive .341 batting average across 14 games, along with one home run and seven RBIs. A versatile infielder capable of playing second base, third base, and shortstop, he entered the 2025 season ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the Cardinals’ farm system. His flexibility and offensive upside make him a strong candidate for a future role off the bench or even in the starting lineup. But for now, the organization is choosing to be prudent, opting to prioritize his long-term development over short-term needs.
In a corresponding roster move, St. Louis is bringing up infielder Jose Barrero from Triple-A Memphis. According to MLB.com’s John Denton, “In an attempt to fortify their middle-infield depth while also continuing the development of one of their top prospects, the Cardinals are planning to promote Jose Barrero and option Thomas Saggese to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.”
Barrero, once a highly regarded prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization, has struggled to translate his minor league success into consistent performance in the majors. Over four seasons and 139 games with the Reds, he slashed just .186 with four home runs and 32 RBIs. While his bat has lagged behind, Barrero is known for his defensive versatility and athleticism, particularly in the infield and corner outfield spots. His speed and glove offer value, though his inability to get on base regularly has hindered his ability to stick at the MLB level.
That said, Barrero has been showing signs of resurgence in 2025. After a solid spring training performance, he continued to impress in Triple-A, where he posted a .299 batting average, added four home runs, and drove in 13 runs across 23 games. This earned him another opportunity to break through with St. Louis. While he’s expected to serve primarily in a bench role, the Cardinals hope he can capitalize on this new chance and show the promise he once displayed in Cincinnati.
The Cardinals, coming off a series win against the division-rival Brewers, now turn their attention to another crucial set as they prepare to open a four-game series against Barrero’s former team — the Reds — starting Monday night at 6:40 p.m. ET.
As the season progresses, St. Louis will continue to monitor both Barrero’s impact at the major league level and Saggese’s progress in Triple-A. With the team balancing short-term competitiveness and long-term player development, every decision is pivotal as they try to stabilize their season and remain in the postseason hunt.
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