The St. Louis Cardinals have penciled in their 8th rookie pitcher to take a turn starting, this Thursday against the Kansas City Royals.
Michael Wacha, 21, already a familiar name in Cardinal Nation after being the 19th overall 2012-draft pick, was thought of as a clear favorite to earn a rotation spot for the 2014 season, will be brought up from AAA Memphis to fill in for a disable list infested Cardinal pitching staff.
Wacha is 4-0 in nine starts at Memphis. The right-hander has struck out 34 in 52.00 innings, and earned up 12 runs.
In order to bring Wacha up to the major league level, General Manager John Mozeliak will have to compose two roster moves to make on the 40-man roster and the active 25-man roster. By placing Jaime Garcia on the 60-day disabled list, the Cardinals can open a spot for Wacha on the 40-man roster. A player will still have to be optioned to the minors to clear a spot on the 25-man roster.
The organization and the fans are more than excited about his arrival. Catcher Yadier Molina and Manager Mike Matheny have said Wacha’s stuff was good enough this spring to have success in the majors.
