On Thursday the St. Louis Cardinals called up two of their top prospects, Nolan Gorman, and Matthew Liberatore, from Triple-A Memphis. The 20-18 Cardinals moved their number two {Gorman} and three ranked {Liberatore} prospects in hopes to get some help early on the season. Both players can make an immediate impact as Gorman will start at second base on Friday and Liberatore will take the bump on Saturday’s games against the Pirates.
Gorman started the season slow in Memphis but has become one of the hottest hitters in all professional baseball hitting .308 with 15 home runs this season. At one point Nolan had a 16-game hitting streak which at the time led baseball at any level. Making the switch from third base to second has improved his chances of succeeding while in St. Louis. Gorman has great power and can hit any part of the ballpark with ease. He will be exciting to watch in a Cardinals uniform. Manager Oliver Marmol said of Gorman, “He’s going to get here and he’s going to show what he can do.”
Tampa Bay picked Liberatore just three picks before Gorman in the 2018 draft. The southpaw was traded from Tampa Bay to St Louis in 2020 and has not disappointed. The number three prospect has a 3.99 ERA to go along with 169 strikeouts in 164 innings of work in Triple-A. This season he has 46 strikeouts and 12 walks in 40 innings with an ERA of 3.83. Liberatore ranks 3rd in Triple-A in strikeouts and innings pitched. Matthew brings advanced pitch ability and was given an above-average grade on his fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball by MLB Pipeline.
In a full-circle moment being called up together, both Gorman and Liberatore, have been friends since the age of 5. They played in the same local little league team and were also teammates on travel teams. From little league to team USA and now to the Gateway to the Arch.
