In every opportunity Michael McGreevy has had in the Big Leagues, he has excelled. Most recently, a Sunday shutout long relief appearance against the New York Mets. McGreevy went 5.2 innings, only surrendering one hit while striking out five and picking up the win. His continued success makes it clear that the St. Louis Cardinals need to permanently make room for him in the starting rotation.
Stunning Big-League Results
McGreevy has made five career MLB appearances between Sunday and last season. His numbers in that small sample size are stunning. The 24-year-old is 4-0 with a 1.57 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 28.2 innings pitched. Cardinals’ manager Oliver Marmol sang his praises after Sunday’s shutout performance against one of the more difficult lineups in the League.
“He was in control of that entire outing,” Marmol said. “He got swings and misses, he got groundouts, he got weak contact. He was never rattled and never sped up. He continues to show that he can pitch up here. He did an incredible job.”
The Cardinals were in a pinch on Sunday with a bullpen that had seen a lot of innings lately and a doubleheader. They brought up McGreevy with the plan to have him finish the game, whether the team was up or down. He came into a tie ballgame in the fourth inning and gave the Cardinals enough to win the game.
“We felt really good about letting him ride and he showed why,” Marmol said.
One of the Better Starters in Spring Training
McGreevy was competing for a spot in the rotation during Spring Training after a strong finish to the 2024 season. He arguably performed the best of any pitcher vying for a spot in the rotation. In 16.2 innings pitched during the Spring, he had an ERA of just 1.08, a WHIP of .600, and 12 strikeouts.
Marmol told reporters that sending McGreevy to Triple-A provided a layer of protection for the starting staff at the MLB level. Even this Winter, Cardinals upper management wanted to have more insurance for the rotation after injuries hit them early in 2024.
“As we all know, if you go in with five, you are going to be short one,” Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak told reporters in January at the Cardinals ‘Winter Warmup media event. “I think the depth of what we have in our rotation is something we feel good about. We would like to keep that if possible.”
McGreevy Fits if the Cardinals are Competing or Rebuilding
One of the Cardinals main points heading into the 2025 season was developing youth. However, they resisted calling 2025 a rebuilding season. The Cardinals have been adamant they want to compete for a playoff spot. McGreevy accomplishes both goals. The 2021 first-round draft pick is trending toward being an important part of the franchise’s future. McGreevy also may give the Cardinals the best chance to win now.
“I love his poise,” Marmol said on Sunday. “He continues to show it every opportunity we give him.”
There are three aging Cardinals starters the team could consider moving to make room for McGreevy. Miles Mikolas, Erick Fedde and Steven Matz. All three are above 30 years old, and none are signed past the 2025 season. Mikolas has a 4.66 ERA in six starts this season. However, he has also steadied of late. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last two starts. Fedde has struggled. He has a 4.78 ERA in seven starts this season and has allowed 10 runs in his last two starts.
Matz has had a solid season. He has mostly worked out of the bullpen but has made two starts as the Cardinals flex him into the rotation when the schedule gets heavy. In nine appearances, Matz has a 1.50 ERA.
If the Cardinals are serious about giving youth a chance, they need to look to move on from one or two of these pitchers. The Cardinals could be popular trade partners when the deadline rolls around. However, they could look to move one of the pitchers sooner if a team calls for a starter. McGreevy fits the team’s future and present. He has shown he belongs in the Big Leagues.
Main Photo Credits: Michael McGreevy
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