Cardinals' Elite Prospect Seen As 'Dark-Horse' Option To Bolster Bullpen

Could the Cardinals call up one of their top prospects in 2024?

The St. Louis Cardinals have significantly improved their roster this offseason.

St. Louis has responded to a disastrous 2023 campaign by making a plethora of additions this offseason. The Cardinals added Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson to the starting rotation. The club also has made a handful of additions to the bullpen including Keynan Middleton. 

The Cardinals have improved the club but one internal candidate who also could be a "dark-horse" candidate to help out St. Louis' bullpen is elite prospect Gordon Graceffo, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo.

"But if you're looking for a dark-horse candidate, let's look at prospect Gordon Graceffo," Woo said. "He was drafted in 2021 and ascended through the Cardinals' system as a starting pitcher and could emerge as a viable relief candidate depending on his spring performance.

"He will be a non-roster invitee to big-league camp for the second year this season and is already garnering internal consideration for a bullpen role. His fastball command and ability to fill up the zone is how he found success as a starter, but he wasn't always able to work late into games or mirror the same consistency after three to four innings. If Graceffo has a strong spring showing, he could force his way into a major-league debut as a reliever."

Graceffo is St. Louis' No. 6 prospect and could be a very intriguing player if he's able to get an extended opportunity with the club. He hasn't made his big league debut yet but could see some time in 2024. 

The big righty has pitched mainly as a starter throughout his professional career so far and has a 3.51 career ERA in 58 total appearances. It's unclear what role he will play with the Cardinals, but don't be surprised if he makes his big league debut in 2024. 

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