St. Louis Cardinals: Dark Horse Prospects for 2016

Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Trey Nielsen (78) throws during pitching drills at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Trey Nielsen (78) throws during pitching drills at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Trey Nielsen (78) throws during pitching drills at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Trey Nielsen (78) throws during pitching drills at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Trey Nielsen

In an organization stocked with top pitching prospects, you would normally look right past this 30th round draft pick, and think he’s not anyone to look twice at. However, Nielsen’s numbers will make you think otherwise. Nielsen did not pitch at all in 2013 after being drafted, but in 2014 Nielsen made his debut with the State College Spikes.

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That season, Nielsen went 3-2 in 15 games (eight starts), with a 0.993 WHIP and a 8.8 K/9, while totaling a 2.50 ERA. These are pretty good numbers for a 30th round pick. However in 2015, Nielsen was even better, as he totaled a record of 9-6, an ERA of 2.59, a WHIP of 1.216. While the ERA and WHIP went up a bit and his K/9 went down, his BB/9 and HR/9 went down, while his innings and starts more than doubled.

While the numbers are really impressive for Nielsen, he did pitch for Palm Beach in the Florida State League. So, Nielsen will need to continue to prove himself for him to be considered as much of a prospect. At age 24, Nielsen may see his season finish up in Memphis, and be on the doorstep of an emergency call up as a starter or a member of the bullpen in 2017.

However, things will get started in AA Springfield for Nielsen. It will be interesting to see how Nielsen handles the much more offensive Texas League.

Next: Predicting a 2016 Memphis Redbirds Roster

This is a group of prospects that intrigues me, some may end up playing into amore important role with the Cardinals, or they may disappear into abyss of the minor leagues as many players do. It will be an interesting season for these guys, I will be keeping an eye on them for sure, as you should as well.