Potential Cardinals Game-Changer Expected To Make 2023 Debut; May Be What Team Needs

One Cardinals elite prospect is set to make his 2023 debut

St. Louis Cardinals fans certainly should tune into the club's tilt against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.

The Cardinals are one of the hottest teams in baseball and have won seven of their last nine games entering Wednesday night's clash with the Brewers. St. Louis has not looked as expected this season and currently is 17-26, but things have started to turn around of late. 

One of if not the biggest reasons for the Cardinals' struggles this season certainly has been in the starting rotation. The Cardinals entered the 2023 campaign with some question marks in the rotation, but the club's struggles have been more than expected. The rotation has started to shape up recently and should get another boost Wednesday as St. Louis No. 4 prospect Matthew Liberatore reportedly will make his 2023 debut, according to Bally Sports' Jim Hayes.   

Liberatore was drafted in the first round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft by St. Louis and has risen the club's farm system ever since. The tall lefty has compiled a 3.86 ERA across five minor league seasons and made his big league debut in 2022 with the Cardinals. The 23-year-old somewhat struggled as he attempted to adjust to big-league life and compiled a 5.97 ERA in seven starts and nine appearances overall. 

The young hurler seems to have taken a step forward this season for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds and has compiled a 4-1 record and 3.13 ERA in eight starts so far this season. Liberatore has tallied 56 strikeouts to go along with just 17 walks in 46 innings for the Redbirds. 

While it's likely that Liberatore just makes a spot start and returns to the minor leagues, if he can look solid against the Brewers, maybe it will pave the way for a larger role shortly. If Liberatore can show that he is ready for big league action and performs as advertised, he could be just what the team needs to boost its starting rotation. St. Louis is expected to be in the trade market for a starter as we get closer to the trade deadline, but maybe it won't need to if Liberatore can step up. 

More MLB: Cardinals Reportedly Still Will 'Entertain' Trading Young Outfielder For Starting Pitching Upgrade