Cardinals host Marlins on July 28, 2025, as Pallante faces Cabrera. Can Gorman & Walker lead STL past Chisholm Jr.? Plus, JJ Wetherholt is the new #1 prospect.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a classic baseball dilemma playing out at Busch Stadium today. The present demands focus as the Cardinals, riding a two-game win streak, prepare to host a Miami Marlins club that's won four straight. But while all eyes are on Andre Pallante's 4:45 PM start, a new report from MLB Pipeline reminds us that the future is always knocking, revealing a shakeup in the team's prospect hierarchy that has major implications for the road ahead.
The Cardinals' farm system continues to be regarded as one of the deepest in baseball, with JJ Wetherholt leading the way and three catchers among the organization's top five prospects.
The immediate task is a tough one. The Cardinals (54-51) send Andre Pallante (5-7, 4.91 ERA) to the mound to cool off the red-hot Marlins (50-53). Miami counters with the formidable Edward Cabrera (4-4, 3.48 ERA), setting the stage for a challenging matchup. With Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker looking to provide the offensive spark for St. Louis against Miami's own star, Jazz Chisholm Jr., this game is a critical test to kick off the homestand and prove their recent success is sustainable.
While the big league club battles, the farm system got its midseason report card, and infielder JJ Wetherholt earned top marks. In his first full professional season, Wetherholt has officially been named the Cardinals' No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline, showcasing a dominant all-around game. The report also highlights an unusual organizational strength: three catchers are ranked within the top five prospects, a testament to the club's incredible depth behind the plate for years to come.
The prospect update isn't all sunshine, however. It underscores a significant challenge the organization is facing: pitching injuries. Top arms like Quinn Mathews, Tekoah Roby, and Tink Hence have all spent significant time on the injured list this summer, testing the system's depth. This makes the emergence of other pitchers even more vital. Right-handers Ixan Henderson and Andre Granillo, along with lefty Brycen Mautz, have seen their stock rise, providing a much-needed wave of reinforcement as the organization navigates the health of its premier talents.
Tonight's game against the Marlins is a snapshot of the present—a gritty fight to stay in the playoff picture. But the day's biggest story is the long view. With the trade deadline looming and the starting rotation always a topic of conversation, the health and performance of the entire pitching pipeline, from Pallante at Busch to the rising arms in the minors, will dictate the Cardinals' trajectory not just this week, but for seasons to come.
