ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Unlike recent years, the 2025 St. Louis Cardinals will have rely on a whole lot of youth this upcoming season.
With the Cardinals previously announcing earlier this offseason of their intentions on a more youth-based approach and an emphasis on player development,
The Cardinals have some young players on the roster like shortstop Masyn Winn, outfielder Jordan Walker and infielder Nolan Gorman, while others like pitchers Michael McGreevy, Zack Thompson, Gordon Graceffo and Matthew Liberatore and infielder Thomas Saggese will look to carve out spots for themselves on the 2025 Opening Day roster during Spring Training.
In addition to that, some of the Cardinals' more talented prospects in their farm system like starters Quinn Mathews and Tink Hence and catcher Jimmy Crooks will look to continue their development and potentially work their way to a call-up to the majors later on in the season.
Wynn, Crooks, Walker and Mathews were just some of the young Cardinals stars that joined KMOX Sports throughout Winter Warm Up to discuss their offseasons and how they are preparing for 2025.
Click on the players below to listen to the conversations each young Cardinals player had with KMOX Sports.
Jimmy Crooks
Crooks, the Texas League MVP and Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year, discuss his journey, achievements, and approach to the game.
Crooks also reflects on his development as a catcher, his close working relationship with pitchers like Quinn Matthews, and the importance of building strong bonds with teammates.
Matthew Liberatore
Liberatore discussed his transition from starting pitcher to reliever last year, highlighting how Cardinals bullpen coach Julio guided him to embrace the role and develop a more aggressive approach.
Liberatore also discussed preparation and mindset for bullpen calls and the valuable mentorship he received from veteran pitchers Sonny Gray and Andrew Kittredge.
Liberatore also discussed his optimism for a playoff run saying "there's not a single guy in the (Cardinals) clubhouse that is not preparing for a playoff run this offseason" during the team's "reset" phase and he delved into the "young guns" movement within the Cardinals pitching staff.
Quinn Mathews
Mathews' discussed his inspiring journey to becoming a professional baseball player, with Mathews discovered his potential during his senior year at Stanford, his decision to return to school after being drafted by the Rays, and how that choice led him to the Cardinals.
Mathews also discussed his pitching development, including an improved fastball, a sharper slider, and his standout changeup, as well as his mindset of pitching with purpose.
Masyn Winn
Winn discussed his mindset both on and off the field. Winn also shares his insights on how Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith has mentored him, shaping his approach to the game.
Winn also set a goal to improve his stolen base numbers and power stats next season.
Jordan Walker
Walker joins Joe Pott from Winter Warm-Up to talk about his main focuses of work during the offseason, why his priority was getting back to feeling comfortable at the plate, getting back to his stance from 2022 and producing like 2023.
Walker also discussed fighting through the ups and downs as a professional, knowing he can compete at the major league level, his excitement to get started at camp and why consistently getting bat-on-ball is the most important aspect to him hitting line drives.
Tink Hence
Hence joins Matt Pauley at Winter Warm-Up to talk about being at Winter Warm-Up, his excitement to show the fans his talent and help the Cardinals organization.
Hence also discussed working back from his injury and finishing the season strong, focusing on competing and having fun and not doing too much thinking and the moments on the mound that feel the best.
Thomas Saggese
Saggese joins Matt Pauley at Winter Warm-Up to talk about coming back after a rookie year with a better knowledge of the locker room, what his offseason has looked like, what he learned about his skills at the plate from big league pitching, the excitement around the team's youth-focused message for this season.
Saggese also discussed his mindset of trying to win a job during Spring Training, not paying attention to the media (although someone near him does...) and focusing on what he can control.