3 relief pitching targets for St. Louis Cardinals post lockout

Ryan Tepera #51 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 03, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Royals 7-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Ryan Tepera #51 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 03, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Royals 7-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – AUGUST 16: Collin McHugh #31 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on August 16, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – AUGUST 16: Collin McHugh #31 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on August 16, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Collin McHugh

Righty pitcher Collin McHugh, 34, threw in 37 games in 2021 going 6-1 with one save in 64 innings pitched. He tossed 74 strikeouts.

McHugh would be an intriguing option for the Cardinals staff as he could be stretched out to become a long-innings reliever or a spot starter.

McHugh uses a slider averaging 79.5 mph with 44.4-inches of vertical drop and an active spin of 59%. McHugh’s cutter averages 87.5 mph with 27.9-inches of vertical drop and an active spin of 36%. He uses a four-seam fastball averaging 90.6 mph with 16.1-inches of vertical drop and an active spin of 88%. He has a curveball that averages 74.3 mph with 63.7-inches of vertical drop and an active spin of 81%.

The veteran pitcher has some interesting off-speed pitches that would be a great addition to the Cardinals pitching staff. He would be a good mix with our defense and future Hall of Fame catcher, Yadier Molina.

Ian Kennedy is a free-agent name to watch for St. Louis Cardinals. dark. Next

It would be fun to add him on staff to a low-cost two or three-year deal with incentives.