Buy or Sell: St. Louis Cardinals’ 2022 Bullpen Projections

Genesis Cabrera 

Cabrera 2022 Projections: W-L: 4-4, ERA: 3.82, SV: 1, IP: 66, SO/9: 9.8, BB/9: 4.1, WHIP: 1.27

Verdict: Sell

After an up and down start to his 2021 season, Genesis Cabrera turned in a good second half, seeing his ERA drop from 3.95 to 3.41 and WHIP drop from 1.42 to 1.04. As Cabrera was able to keep his nasty stuff in or near the zone more often, he was finding more and more success.

I expect Cabrera to take more steps forward in his development this year, with continued improvement of his BB/9, and with that, his ERA and WHIP. Expect that ERA to be down closer to 3.15, WHIP falling around 1.05, and BB/9 around 3. With these improvements, Cabrera can continue developing into a feared armed out of the pen.

Kodi Whitley 

Whitley 2022 Projections: W-L: 2-2, ERA: 3.69, SV: 1, IP: 39, SO/9: 9.2, BB/9: 3.5, WHIP: 1.21

Verdict: Buy

Coming off an excellent 2021 where Kodi Whitley threw 25.1 innings to the tune of a 2.49 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, Whitley is expected to be relied on again this coming season.

Whitley may repeat his great numbers from the year before, but an expectation of an ERA in the mid to high threes while upping his innings pitched seems realistic. Don’t be surprised though if Whitley earns some high leverage innings and produces at a high level once again.