ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals will promote pitching prospect Gordon Graceffo in efforts to help a highly-worked bullpen.
Graceffo is expected to join the Cardinals ahead of Friday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, according to reports from The Athletic’s Katie Woo. The Cardinals are expected to formally announce the move in the upcoming hours.
The Cardinals initially plan to use Graceffo in a bulk relief role and he could make his MLB debut on Friday behind temporary fifth starter Andre Pallante.
Graceffo, a 2021 fifth-round draft pick of the Cardinals, has risen through the ranks mostly as a starting pitcher. He compiled an 8-5 record with a 3.85 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 14 starts with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds this season.
Having last pitched for Memphis on June 19, he could be due for some big innings. The bullpen has been challenged the last few days after a rain-altered doubleheader and short outings from usual innings eaters Kyle Gibson and Miles Mikolas.
According to Baseball America, Graceffo can reach up to the mid 90s on his four-seam fastball, but his slider is his primary pitch in terms of generating whiffs.
The Cardinals are 41-39 and in a National League Wild Card spot ahead of Friday’s game, which will mark their official midpoint of the 2024 season. A four-game series with the Reds runs through Sunday.
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