ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - You likely weren't familiar with St. Louis Cardinals prospects Andre Pallante and Brendan Donovan this year. But now you may want to remember their names.
Pallante, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher and Donovan, a 24-year-old left-handed hitting infielder were named among the breakout stars of the Arizona Fall League that just recently wrapped up play. The list was complied by MLB writer Jim Callis and included just 10 of the more than 100 AFL participants.
Pallante was named an AFL All-Star and a member of the All-AFL Team with a 1.29 ERA that was best among all starters. He also struck out 22 batters in 21 innings. He's ranked as the Cardinals No. 30 overall prospect, dropping three spots from last year's list. But he moved up a spot among the organization's top ranked pitching prospects.
Scouts say the 2019 fourth-round pick has a funky delivery and would best as a bullpen piece in the majors. His fastball reached 99mph in some AFL games.
Donovan has gone from an unranked Cardinals prospect last year all the way up to No. 17 now. He has a shot to crack the majors in 2022, as a lefty bat which is something St. Louis always seems to be in need of.
After having a poor first year of professional baseball in 2018 (.188 average in A short season), the Wurzberg, Germany native has hit well at every level of the minors. Between AA and AAA he's got a slash line of .304/.399/.455, and he out hit those stats this fall: .308/.422/.519.
The seventh round draft pick was also in the AFL All-Star Game.
Also joining Pallante on the All-AFL team were infielder Juan Yepez and outfielder Lars Nootbaar. The ladder you already know from his MLB debut in 2021 and sparking the Cardinals' franchise-record winning streak. Yepez has suddenly become a shoe-in to make the big league team out of spring training after setting career highs in home runs (27), RBI (77) and OPS (.969) last season between AA and AAA.
© 2021 KMOX (Audacy). All rights reserved
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Follow KMOX
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram