Future Redbirds

News clippings from spring training about our top prospects.

What makes Dave Duncan say “whoo”? Prospects who naturally have sink to their fastball. Today Goold has this nugget.

Two of the pitching prospects that draw internal raves from the Cardinals threw to hitters Monday — lefty Jaime Garcia and righthander Clayton Mortensen. Garcia learned after his session from a veteran catcher that he’s tipping his curveball, which happens to be his best pitch. Mortensen learned after his session that pitching coach Dave Duncan is delighted by his sinker.

The lanky righthander allowed sparse contact and no base hits during his throw to hitters. When he was done, just three baseballs dotted the field. One was behind the mound. One was toward first base. And one had been scalded out toward right-center field, right in the second baseman’s range. Duncan told Mortensen after that all he has to do is throw the sinker for a strike because it won’t be hit well.

Asked about the sinker afterward, Duncan said: “Whoo.”

DG also points out that the last pitcher to come out of the draft to get an invite to spring training the following spring was none other then Rick Ankiel. The big difference is Ankiel was only 19 at the time, Mortensen is going to be 23 shortly after opening day. All the same, he’s on the fast track and may be up to AAA by season’s end. Also: Jarrett Hoffpauir and Juan Gonzalez are the only no shows in camp so far. Not a way to get in good with your boss, showing up a day or two later then everyone else. -5 in respect points, Jarrett. Juan Gone, on the other hand, can do the kids a favor and stay home.