By Rob Rains
As the end of each year approaches, it has become our custom to look back at the previous 12 months and select our favorite stories that we have published at STLSportsPage.com.
This year’s list includes profiles of some of the top prospects in the Cardinals’ system, an introduction to a new executive in the team’s front office and a look into a new role for a returning Cardinals veteran.
We also selected a story about a pitcher in the Cardinals’ major-league spring training camp for the first time because of the path he took to get there – even though that chapter of his life ended a couple of weeks later. The list also includes one of the most fun stories we write every year, re-ranking the top prospects in the farm system.
Here is a look back at the eight stories we selected as our favorites from 2024, listed in chronological order:
Logan Sawyer had one of the most interesting backgrounds of any player in the Cardinals spring training camp, which was why we wrote about him on Feb. 22. Even though he was released a couple of weeks later, that didn’t change the appreciation for all Sawyer went through just to be in the Cardinals camp.
On March 4, we told the story of prospect Thomas Saggese and his love for his mother, who died from cancer when he was in high school – and how he honors her every time he comes up to bat.
Thomas Saggese keeps mom’s memory alive every time he comes up to bat for Cardinals
A former star with the Cardinals was back in a new role in 2024 and on March 12 we wrote about how Matt Carpenter was embracing his new responsibilities.
Matt Carpenter embracing, enjoying his new role with Cardinals; “That’s why I’m here”
Another player we wrote about in the spring, Dylan Carlson, was primed to be the starting center fielder this season, ready to erase the memories of two injury-filled seasons, when we told his story on March 18. Unfortunately for Carlson and the Cardinals, another injury was coming just two weeks later – once again changing the direction of his career and ultimately leading to a trade to Tampa Bay later in the season.
A trip to Springfield in July gave us the chance to tell the story of Quinn Mathews, the fastest-rising prospect in the Cardinals organization and now one of the best pitching prospects in the game.
One of our favorite stories every year is the re-ranking of the top prospects in the organization following the draft and the trading deadline. Our list is always a little different than that of other publications, often including younger players just beginning their time with the Cardinals and this year was no exception.
The first-round pick in the July draft was the subject of our profile story on Sept. 10, J.J. Wetherholt, a player who could find himself in St. Louis sooner rather than later. Learn more about the West Virginia product in the in-depth profile.
The final story on this list is about someone who could have a major role in the future of the franchise. We wrote about Rob Cerfolio on Oct. 31 after he was hired to take over the direction of the player development system.
Rob Cerfolio looking forward to challenge of bringing back “The Cardinal Way” to team’s farm system
As always thanks to all of our readers for their support this season and we look forward to the opportunity to write more stories of interest to our readers in 2025.
Follow Rob Rains on X @RobRains
