
Jordan Hicks
2022 Projection: W-L: 2-2, ERA: 4.20, SV: 2, IP: 30, SO/9: 9.3, BB/9: 3.9, WHIP: 1.27
Verdict: Sell
This was a no-brainer. If Jordan Hicks is healthy in 2022, he is going to return to the Cardinal bullpen with a bang. Just take a look at this nasty 102 MPH sinker he unleashed the other day. Hicks already looks to be back to his peak form.
Hicks is a strong candidate to really breakthrough for the Cardinals this season. It’s not unreasonable to think he will have an ERA in the 2.50-2.80 range with a SO/9 around 11-12 and WHIP closer to 1.00. When Hicks is at his best, he is nearly unhittable, and could very well challenge Giovanni Gallegos for the closer role during the season.
Kyle Ryan
Ryan 2022 Projection: W-L: 2-2, ERA: 4.50, SV: 1, IP: 36, SO/9: 8.3, BB/9: 3.5, WHIP: 1.36
Verdict: Buy
Across seven major league seasons between the Tigers and Cubs, Kyle Ryan has posted a career ERA of 4.05 over 218 innings of work. Ryan will most likely split time between St. Louis and Memphis throughout the year as a third left handed option for the club out of the pen.
Ryan struggled during his last two years with the Cubs, so getting close to league average production out of the lefty would be a win for the St. Louis bullpen.